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Feature of the
Month This is the fifth edition of the Feature of the Month for the South Dakota Rock & Roll Music Association. We are rock and roll fans, and looking to write a feature each month, that will not only bring back wonderful memories, but will also remind us all of the history that was made in our great state of South Dakota. We are hoping to write a feature each month selecting one of the many talented Bands, DJ's, Radio Stations, and Dance Halls throughout SD. When I was growing up in Madison, SD, during the 1950's and 1960's, I often heard people talk about the history of Lake Madison Ballroom and the area around it. Before I was born, this area on the northwest shore of the lake had been a popular recreation spot, including not only the ballroom, but also a "Chautaqua" grounds, swimming and boating area, and many other forms of entertainment. During the late '50's and '60's, the ballroom was operated by Jack and Marie Wulff and hosted Friday night rock'n'roll dances featuring many of the popular bands from the area, including Myron Lee, The Talismen, and JayBee and the Kats. Many nationally know recording artists also played at the ballroom, including Buddy Knox, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Champs, The Fendermen, and Little Peggy March. The summer breezes blowing across the lake and through the ballroom's open windows helped to create a great atmosphere. The ballroom was a popular entertainment spot for area high school and General Beadle (Dakota State) college students. The Wulffs also converted the downstairs portion of the ballroom building into a supper club, which was called "Jack's Surf and Sirloin Club". This popular spot also featured live music for an older group of patrons, many who lived in nearby lake cabins. It was my privilege to have played upstairs in the ballroom with a short-lived rock'n'roll band called "The Tempos" and downstairs as part of a two piece combo called "Orrin and Gary". It was indeed a sad time when the ballroom burned down some time in the 1970's because it was truly a special place for me and many others who came from the Madison area. But the memories of Lake Madison Ballroom live on. |