On May 15th, 1957 Bill Haley and his Comets played to a sold-out crowd of 2,500 at the Memorial Gardens!
A Sault Daily Star article from Thursday, May 16th described the concert:
"A Loyal followers, rock and rollers and curiosity seekers filled 2,500 seats, shaking, vibrating and keeping time to the rhythmic, pulsating beat of rock and music. As the captivating strains progressed, they began to take hold of the more ardent followers who kicked off their shoes to be rid of an incumbrance that was reducing their speed. While a large portion of the crowd stood swaying side to side in front of the stage, here and there across the dance floor groups of teen-age boys were performing, individually, grotesque dance motions, completely oblivious to the people present, uncontrollably in a world of their own. The youthful dance crowd cheered and applauded what they believe to be the greatest beat ever in the world of music. Yet throughout the entire dance and performance they committed no outlandish deeds, such as screaming, collapsing or losing self control. They merely absorbed every bit of their favourite music."
Photos from the collection of the Sault Ste. Marie Museum.
On May 15th, 1957 Bill Haley and his Comets played to a sold-out crowd of 2,500 at the Memorial Gardens!
A Sault Daily Star article from Thursday, May 16th described the concert:
"A Loyal followers, rock and rollers and curiosity seekers filled 2,500 seats, shaking, vibrating and keeping time to the rhythmic, pulsating beat of rock and music. As the captivating strains progressed, they began to take hold of the more ardent followers who kicked off their shoes to be rid of an incumbrance that was reducing their speed. While a large portion of the crowd stood swaying side to side in front of the stage, here and there across the dance floor groups of teen-age boys were performing, individually, grotesque dance motions, completely oblivious to the people present, uncontrollably in a world of their own. The youthful dance crowd cheered and applauded what they believe to be the greatest beat ever in the world of music. Yet throughout the entire dance and performance they committed no outlandish deeds, such as screaming, collapsing or losing self control. They merely absorbed every bit of their favourite music."
Photos from the collection of the Sault Ste. Marie Museum.