Tom Tourville and Rebecca Peters have released an excellent book about one of the region's most popular ballrooms -- Remembering Okoboji's Roof Garden Ballroom: The Rock 'n Roll Years.
The book is a remarkable compilation of the history of the ballroom and the bands who played there. The book was made possible because of the authors high quality scholarship and attention to detail. It is an easy read and will be of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about rock 'n roll culture from 1955 to 1987.
I am fascinated by the month-by-month, year-by-year listings of the bands and events at the Roof Garden. You can see the times and music change before your eyes. You will be amazed by who played the Roof, particularly in the pre-corporate era: the Yardbirds, the Beach Boys, Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks, Mason Profitt -- and on and on.
One of the features I like the most are contracts for appearances by Johnny Cash, Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps Sam the Sham, etc. The book left me totally satisfied but wanting more.
Remembering Okoboji's Roof Garden Ballroom: The Rock 'n Roll Years is available from the authors for $18.50 (includes shipping). Here is the address:
Midwest Publications
Box 404
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
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