06/07/2020
HENRY DELUCA'S RECOLLECTIONS ON THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROOTS OF ROCK AND ROLL SHOW:
It’s hard to believe that 40 years ago today we staged the first volume of the Roots of Rock and Roll at the Syria Mosque in Oakland. It was not called Volume I, because most producers who do a show for the first time are not sure there will be a volume two, let alone forty volumes!
June 7, 1980 was a very exciting day, despite some pitfalls. Neither the relative financial disaster nor the threat of storms--including tornado warnings--dampened the excitement that day brought to Susan and me and all of our friends. It was a hot time in the old town that night—literally and figuratively.
Forty years ago last night, we went to the Holiday Inn in Wilkinsburg to greet Carl Gardner and his Coasters, which then included our dear friend Earl Speedo Carroll. The fellows pulled up in their Cadillac to check in for a good night’s rest before the big show. We joined them in the lounge, and The Coasters and Acappella Gold shared an evening of conviviality.
Volume I of the Roots of Rock and Roll featured many of our musical heroes: Carl Gardner’s Coasters, Pookie Hudson’s Spaniels, Eugene Pitt and The Jive Five, Clarence Quick and the Del Vikings + three of Pittsburgh’s favorites—The Marcells, The El Monacs and Acappella Gold. The highlight of Volume I for me was when Pookie and The Spaniels’ arrived at rehearsal. They had driven from Gary Indiana to Pittsburgh and sauntered onstage for their sound check. With all that was on the line in producing my first big concert, I took a moment to sit down and drink in the Spaniels’ angelic “Peace of Mind.” That was the first of many thrills throughout forty volumes of the Roots of Rock and Roll.
Over these 40 years we have lost so many of our beloved pioneers of our favorite genre. We were honored and privileged to be able to bring so many musical memories to the Roots audiences. We were blessed to make so many wonderful friends and to share so many rich memories along the way. Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to the success of forty years of the Roots of Rock and Roll!
