Feature of the Month

Memories of the Mocamba...(Written by  Don Fritz)
Written on 9.06.10

This is the fourteenth 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.
 
The Mocamba Club in downtown Sioux Falls holds special memories for me. Located on North Main Ave and 7th St, it was a Sunshine Grocery when I was growing up. Sometime around the mid to late 60's it became the Mocamba. It's where I met my future wife and where I listened to a lot of great music. My memory of the early years is a little foggy. I was a college student and underage the first few times I patronized the club. Back then the SD drivers license was a little different and some people would, with a little ingenuity, change their birth date. Now I'm not saying I was guilty of this practice but I heard it was quite common.

After a couple of years as a guest of "Uncle Sam" I returned to campus life and again enjoyed the Mocamba. It was the early 70's and it was going strong. There were bands almost every night and the crowds were mighty. Some of my favorite memories include "3 nickel beer". For $.15 you could get a mug of beer or a set up. Since the limit was two per person on the table we would usually stash a half dozen or so on a chair pushed against the table. Both Wednesday night and the weekends were extremely crowded. It was a great place to meet girls. One of my "classy" moves was to stand next to the door of the ladies bathroom and greet the gals going in or coming out. My motive was to get a cute girl to dance with me but my success rate was less than desirable. If they turned me down my comeback might be, "do you have a wooden leg" or "why, don't you know how"

I recently talked to an old friend, George Swann, who offered his thoughts and memories from his days as a bartender at the Mocamba; "I met my wife to be at the Mocamba. She and her friends weren't going to come in because there was a cover charge but I let them in free in exchange for a dance. I remember owner Bud Brown along with his wife and three children. I also recall his early partner, Bucky Heyer. One of the bartenders I worked with was Gene Elrod, a great football player in both high school and college. Gene not only knew everyone by name but was also a very effective enforcer. After the club closed for the night many of us who worked there could be found eating an early morning breakfast at Chris' Grill".  "I recall many of the bands that played the Mocamba, including my favorite, the Mob. They were led by "Big Al", who had a lot of energy and charisma. Others included Mitch Rider and the Detroit Wheels, Three Dog Night, Sherwin Linton, Buddy Rich, LuLu, and the Talismen".

Later on the Mocamba lost some of its luster and eventually replaced bands with DJs. It also had a couple of name changes. It closed a number of years ago and was torn down and turned into a parking lot. But for many of us the memories will always be a part of our life. If you have any special memories please share them with us.