|
Feature
of the Month |
| Written
on 12.19.09 This is the tenth 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. As a teenager growing up in the 60's the weekend meant one thing, going to a teen dance. Entertainment choices were limited but there was always a band playing somewhere. My earliest memories of dances were the "Cantines", which were hosted by the local YMCA. They started at the junior high level and included high schoolers. These "sock hops" were closely supervised and never ran too late. Music was usually provided by someone playing records. After local high school ball games many of the area bands would perform at a school sponsored dance. These would usually be a t the school. The Coliseum Annex was another option and some dances drew over 1,000 kids. The Annex was attached to the Coliseum and provided a home for the Farm Show, Circus, college basketball, and the state high school tournament. All of the local bands played there at one time or another. It eventually burned down. Summer in Sioux Falls brought entertainment to the middle of down town. Sometimes bands were allowed to perform on Phillips Avenue, usually on a makeshift stage. But the biggest and most exciting events were the "ramp dances", which were held on the city's only parking ramp. Several of the "battle of the bands" drew around 10,000 teenagers. One of my most treasured memories is seeing Steve Ellis & the Starfires and local favorites, The Bleach Boys. Sometimes legendary DJ Lord Douglas was the MC. Yes, those were the days! |