Friday, October 2, 2009

The Birth Of Rock And Roll In Wisconsin


Posted by joeknapp at 10:38 AM

19 comments:

  1. LaurieOctober 2, 2009 at 7:17 PM

    Phew! That was great! I love this quote, by the way: "The White Caps just stood there and played. The Rockets had uniforms, we had Chuck Berry Stuff, we were flying all over the stage" I also have to add that as a former member of the record store staff, I attest to the fact that we had way too many copies of Herb Alperts Whipped Cream And Other Delights. Great story and I love all the pics. Maybe I'm just too young to appreciate it, but I always have to laugh when I see these square looking guys with their perfectly trimmed hair, polished black loafers with white socks, shirts and ties, etc. who thought they were totally on the edge, rebels and rockers.

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  2. joeknappOctober 3, 2009 at 10:02 AM

    And yet... Do you remember when Adam Lambert came out on American Idol dressed in a nice suit and tie, with his hair combed back and slicked up like a 1950's greaser? He looked a bit like Elvis. I think you can be a rebel today by dressing in nice clothes. Some of the celeb chicks these days might get attention if they actually WORE some clothing!

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  3. HectorvadairOctober 25, 2009 at 4:48 PM

    Thank you Joe for this very long note, and these superb sounds !

    White cap/Blue caps, I do love rock'nroll !!

    Hector, from France (and Action-time)

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2010 at 7:21 AM

    Thnaks Joe for the wonderful article about the White Caps. They were truly wonderful to listen and dance to. When the played at the park dances at Pierce Park in Appleton WI, they drew crowds as big as 1500 people. I know because I was there. I married a member of the White Caps, his name is Gerald (Jerry) Stingle, misspelled in the article as Stengl. It was wonderful to be a teenager in the Fablous Fifties! The birth of rock and roll was marvelous and so much fun for all of us who loved to dance to that new beat. Thanks again Joe.

    Sandra Stingle

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2010 at 11:25 AM

    Hi,
    Johnny Coy (Stan Cook) was my favorite uncle. He was like a second father to me as his wife (Doris) was my second mother. They were wonderful people and yes, Johnny Coy was very proud of his past history in Rock & Roll in Wisconsin. I saw most of the performances by the White Caps at RiversideBallroom ib Green Bay in 1957. It was a great time to be a teen ager. I believe Bill Broege ended up with my copy of Rock & Roll Saddles as I got rid of all my vinyl. (Big Mistake!!!) I think vinyl is making a giant comeback. Thanks for the chance to say my piece.

    Paul Laverdiere
    Green Bay

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  6. AnonymousApril 4, 2010 at 10:55 PM

    I am Kelly Edwards, now Kelly Brennan daughter of Johnny Edwards. I would like to thank you for the time and effort you put to this article. I am sure my father would love to see this and would greatly appreciate it. Just wanted to let you know that my father actually passed away from a strain of Hepatitis. Thanks again we were so happy to be able to ses the pictures and know that there legacy lives on.

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  7. joeknappApril 4, 2010 at 11:14 PM

    Thank you for the information, Kelly. Your father was an important part of rock and roll history in Wisconsin and his legacy will live for a long, long time. I'm glad you enjoyed what I wrote.

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  8. AnonymousMay 12, 2010 at 1:28 PM

    Fabulous,thanks you for the information,rockin´regards from Barcelona.
    Eddie/Cesc

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  9. AnonymousAugust 28, 2010 at 2:52 PM

    This is Johnny B. Hall, a volunteer staffmember of the RHOF. The reunited band performed in May 2007 as part of the Rockin' Fifties festival in Green Bay. As I recall, the pre-festival concert was held at the same location as one of Buddy Holly's last performances. Bob Timmers was playing lead guitar. They shared the stage with Chan "Hippy, Hippy Shake" Romero, Jim "Fendermen" Sundquist, and the Art Adams Band.

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  10. UnknownSeptember 7, 2010 at 11:01 AM

    thanks for the info on my johnny edwards 45, i got it in a trade with mike smyth a long time ago.

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  11. AnonymousJuly 22, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    In the story about the White Caps, Rockets, etc. it says that Roger Loos ended up working with a Wisconsin rock group called The Temptations. I have a copy of "Call of the Wind"/Bluer Blue" by The Temptations on Cuca from 1962. Both sides are written by R. Smolinski and the vocal is credited to Rick Lee. The flip is instrumental. Since the lead guitarist for the White Caps was Rick Lee Smolinski, I would say that he also joined The Temptations. Incidentally, there already existed a white doowop group called The Temptations from Flushing, NY that had a #29 hit with "Barbara" in 1960. I sell oldies on eBay as Final Vinyl Resting Place and I got this record with some records I bought from someone in Wisconsin.

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  12. johnnie oAugust 7, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Wow. Thanks for taking the time to dig up all this information about the bands.Very nicely done. "Why'd you leave me" by Johnny Edwards and the White Caps is very cool. Do happen to know if the song charted?

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  13. Mr. DAugust 19, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    Thanks for a fascinating article. I grew up in Appleton. Dennis Heimermann is my uncle and I am sorry to report that he passed away today. I knew that Dennis had been involved in music in his youth but this was all news to me.

    Mark Heuring
    New Brighton, MN

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  14. Marty JensenFebruary 15, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    Jerry and Carol, Bob Timmers, Dave Hermsen, Gary Laabs, Denny Noie, Dave Yokum, and many others, including myself, will be at Pollywogs in Appleton on Aug 23. Al Kilian will be on drums along with Dave Yokum. Gonna play the true roots of rock. Marty Jensen

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  15. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2013 at 11:50 AM

    If you like Wisconsin music history check out the podcast at Milwaukeerockposters.com

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    Replies
    1. UnknownSeptember 21, 2013 at 11:24 AM

      Where do you find that? Is there any good info about the 80's rock scene over there in Wisconsin? Looking for info on a band called Jukebox Hero or Jukebox Heroes ?

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    2. joeknappSeptember 21, 2013 at 11:35 AM

      I lived in Wisconsin for many years and got to know some of the record dealers and promoters from the 1950's and 1960's very well. The band Jukebox Hero was from Wisconsin and they were absolutely incredible! Check out this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC6sJcD8Vpg

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  16. Country Paul PaytonMay 28, 2014 at 4:59 PM

    I am amazed at the depth of your knowledge about a lot of records and subjects, but obviously the home-town aspect of this tale makes it especially fascinating. Thank you for posting this. (By the way, I know Gary Myers via Spectropop www.spectropop.com, which is a highly recommended web resource and Yahoogroups discussion group. In fact, I recently recommended your blog to the international Spectropop community; hopefully you'll be seeing some new names in your comments soon! Continued good luck, and please don't stop sharing the good stuff!

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