The early Star Trek conventions were fan produced and fan run. The conventions were hugely popular and thousands of people would show up. The history of some of these early fan conventions has been documented onFanlore, the fan run wiki here.
After the 1975 convention, fans wrote a filk song about their experiences.
A 1975 filk, “Battle Hymn of the 1975 ST Con” in Tetrumbriant #7, by “A Cast of Thousands” :
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the ending of The Con.
They were tramping out the carpet when the movies were not on.
They were pushing back the walls
the guests had rested hands upon.
Praise GhuG,* they are all gone!
Chorus:
Glory, Glory Roddenberry!
Glory, Glory Roddenberry!
Glory, Glory Roddenberry!
Praise GhuG, they are all Gone!!
They were lurking in the corridors
where Gene and Majel lived,
Our security arrangements were as leaky as a sieve,
Room numbers Committee didn’t know
Trekkies would gladly give!
Praise GhuG, they are all gone!
Chorus 3X.
Bill Shatner, owes his life,
to fen who’s names he’ll never know.
They are placing their fragile bodies,
where Trekkies want to go.
And all are deeply thankful
Leonard Nimoy did not show!
Praise GhuG, they are all gone!
Chorus 3X.
Our Guests were wont to wander,
where Helpers fear to go.
Dear George once tried to roam around
and thought no one would know.
We picked up what was left of him
and put him in the show.
Praise GhuG, they are all gone!
Chorus 3X.
Ike Asimov made speeches where he told
all he did know.
Jeff Maynard set up for six days,
to put on his Light Show!
Robert Lansing gave us extra work,
he knows where he can go!
Praise GhuG, they are all gone!
Chorus 3X.
There wasn’t much of Destiny,
her costume didn’t show!
The Vulcan Hooker, Patia
matched her blow for blow!
But the Helpers didn’t notice —
they were busy clearing rows!
Praise GhuG, they are all gone!
[snipped]
Chorus 3X.
Bob Lansing, Gene and Majel were all
drinking in the suite.
The Committee and Assistants are all nursing blistered feet.
We’ll discuss our plans for next year’s con
BUT, NOT BEFORE WE EAT!!!!!
Praise GhuG, they are all gone!
Chorus 3X.
David Gerrold brought some fur with him,
A Tribble it was called.
Dick Hoagland gave us speeches on
the Space Program, now stalled.
And Bill Theiss showed us costumes
which we all thought would fall.
Praise GhuG, they are all gone! [31]
*If anyone knows what “Praise GhuG” means drop me a note.
