Red Deer Museum Blog - November, 2011
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Central Alberta Rocks!
Central Alberta Rocks!
November 19, 2011 to January 1, 2012
If you lived in Red Deer and area in the mid 1960s, do you remember hanging out at The Sweet Shop or Dog & Suds? Do you have memories of dancing to the music of The Drifters, Ninth Wave, or the Gaetz Avenue Dance Band?
The Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery and Sunny 94 presents Central Alberta Rocks! This “teaser” exhibition will bring a sampling of the history of rock and roll bands that originated in Red Deer, the music they performed, and the places they played.
One of the biggest influences on the youth of Red Deer was music. The social significance of Rock 'n Roll swept into Red Deer the same as anywhere else in the world. “The music styles, fashion, lifestyle attitudes and language around the globe did the same in Red Deer. It was a new point of view,” states Valerie Miller, Collections Coordinator at the Museum.
Seventy three million people watched The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show on February 7, 1964, including many in Red Deer. One Red Deer youngster that watched that night was Harley Hay, “Two words… The Beatles. When I saw them on the Ed Sullivan Show in Grade 7, I knew that my marching drum in the Optimist Drum & Bugle Corps would soon turn into a set of drums.”
The project began with a gift of Central Alberta rock band posters and CHED charts from Phil Hallet. Hallet was also instrumental in bringing his cohorts together to produce the project. Over the past year, the group met regularly to share their experiences and knowledge from this era. The Museum is grateful to Phil Hallet, Gary Thompson, Richard Hayhoe, Lorne Hallet, and Harley Hay. “Their enthusiasm has definitely helped bring this exhibit to life,” states Miller
Several former and current band members, including a few from the advisory group, will bring our their instruments once again to perform at the MAG. The goal is to have the community gather, enjoy the music of their youth, and share their personal experiences. Information and material collected will be included in a larger exhibition tentatively proposed for 2014.
The bands will play on Sunday, November 20, and Saturday, December 3, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm., and the First Friday - December 2, 7:00 to 10:00 pm.