Events: 1966
Louis Armstrong was back at the Auto Show at the Minneapolis Auditorium, January 7-16, 1966.
The Kingston Trio’s scheduled performance at Northrop Auditorium for January 18, 1966 was moved to February 9 and then to February 18 because the wife of one of the members was due to have a baby. The February 18 show went on as scheduled.
Dudley Riggs moved his Brave New Workshop to 2605 Hennepin in late ’65/early ’66. The owners of his previous building at 207 E. Hennepin did not renew his lease. The satire repertoire group was started in 1961. In a Twin City a’ Go Go interview, Riggs revealed that he had opened a coffeehouse in 1958, but in 1959 it became a haunt of beatniks, to Riggs’ consternation.
In March 1966 Teri Rogers, organist for Teri and the Lancers, started a rock ‘n’ roll column in the St. Paul Musician, the newsletter of the St. Paul Musicians Union. Given the antipathy for rock ‘n’ roll on the part of the union members, it’s not surprising that the column didn’t last long.
An April 1966 issue of the Westwinds newspaper from Westwood Jr. High in St. Louis Park announced that paper dresses were in this spring. Not available in stores yet, these wild colored dresses could be had through the mail.
Johnny Cash and company came to the “Minneapolis Convention Hall” on April 16, 1966.
Marcia from Marcia and the Lynchmen reports that they were one of the teen bands highlighted in the St. Paul Pioneer Press Pictorial Magazine, June 5, 1966, “Those Teen Bands.” The article was entitled “Behind the Twang of the Guitar” and the text was by Bill Diehl. Maddie Shay scanned her copy for us but WordPress ate it. I’ll try to get it back up soon!
June 10, 1966, was the fifth annual “School’s Out Spectacular” at Aldrich Arena in St. Paul, sponsored by KDWB. Over 5,000 kids attended the event, dancing to eight bands, including the Ides of March and Dee Jay and the Runaways. Funds raised went to the Ramsey County Jr. Sheriff”s Patrol for rain coats, hats, and safety signs.
The Animals and Herman’s Hermits played the Minneapolis Auditorium on July 1966. The concert was reviewed by Dave Mona in the Minneapolis Tribune, with counterpoint by a local teenager. The opening act was the local band The Marvelous Marauders.
The National Ballroom Operators Association awarded citations to the Castaways, the Hot Half Dozen, Michael’s Mystics, and the Underbeats for being outstanding, neat and danceable bands.
In an October 1966 interview with the Underbeats in In-Beat magazine, there is a telling paragraph:
“The group agreed that the rise of quality pop music has revived this country’s interest in rhythm and blues but their interest is not desegregated. They pointed out that, ironically, it is difficult for Negro R and B bands to get jobs in the Twin Cities. This, they said, was because many places in the Twin Cities won’t serve or hire Negroes. ‘A lot of really good Negro musicians can’t even get in groups because the group is afraid that if they take them, they won’t get jobs.'”
Gene Chandler played Stem Hall on October 9, 1966.
Sammy Davis, Jr. with Count Basie and His Orchestra performed at the St. Paul Auditorium on October 13, 1966.
The Temptations played the Marigold Ballroom on October 16, 1966.
Joe Tex appeared at Stem Mall, St. Paul Auditorium, on November 2, 1966.
Ray Charles played the Minneapolis Auditorium on November 6, 1966.
Dave Brubeck was at the Minneapolis Auditorium (and/or the St. Paul Auditorium Theater) on November 19, 1966.
The Lovin’ Spoonful played the Minneapolis Convention Center on November 27, 1966. T.C. Atlantic was the opening band.
December 26, 1966, was billed as the “Biggest Dance in History,” held at the Minneapolis Auditorium. On the bill were the Fabulous Flippers, the Electras, the Underbeats, the Del Counts, T.C. Atlantic, the Castaways, Michael’s Mystics, the Accents, and “many more.”
Mike Jann and Tony Andreason of the Trashmen started Metrobeat Records in 1966. The LP “The Best of Metrobeat” now goes for $200. See a partial 45 discography here.