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 ARIZONA Music
and photography came together on September 26th 1960 in Ottawa
Canada when 50s international rock and roll star Brenda Lee came
to sing for her fans. John Rowlands, a 13 year old teenager who
lived in a part of Ottawa called 'Manor Park' was a big fan of
the popular recording artist. With an advance on his 10 cents
a week allowance, money made from his 77 drop morning paper route,
and cash made from helping the local milkman he bought a ticket
to the Brenda Lee Show. Sensing that it was a long shot that
she might ever be his girlfriend he took along his father's camera,
a single roll of film and 12 very large flash bulbs. It was likely
the only way he would ever take her home. Brenda's guest appearance
on the Perry Como show a week earlier and the anticipation of
seeing her in person made it easier to force his way through
the packed crowd to the lip of the stage.He was not disappointed
as he watched and listened, loaded the bulbs one at a time and
flashed his way through her show and the only 12-exposure Kodak
127 film he had. In those days the family camera might take a
year to fill a single roll with images but this night was more
than special.When Brenda left the stage and the house lights
rose the crowd headed towards the exits. No security team, no
small police force to speed you towards the door as soon as physically
possible. When the show was over everyone left. Rowlands followed
his peers as they headed through the seating towards the exits
until he saw a sign in a hallway that would change his life.
It read "Brenda Lee and the Casuals" and it was their
dressing room. Without a moments thought he walked down the hall
and knocked on the door not knowing what to expect or say if
and when it opened. Perhaps Brenda had already left the building.Brenda's
Mother opened the door and after hearing that he wanted to tell
her he had enjoyed the show and ask for her autograph she allowed
him in and introduced her daughter. The band was busy packing
and loading. The recording star and the fan sat beside each other
on a dressing room bench and talked for almost a half an hour,
he got her autograph, her address and even copied down the Tennessee
license plate number from her station wagon and for carrying
one of her suitcases to the car he got a kiss goodnight.When
Rowlands finally walked out of the Metcalfe St. Auditorium he
was easily 6 inches off the floor. He had just lived a dream
for 2 1/2 hours that now felt like it had rocketed by in about
30 seconds. Taking the bus home he got off two stops early so
he could walk in the clear night air and relive his memories
before having to act calm and unaffected in telling the tale
to his parents. Rock and roll was still very undefined by the
parents of teenagers in 1960 and most thought it would amount
to no good. Rowlands had a bit of an edge though, his father
Ross was a former radio morning man now high ranked in the military
and it was his Dad who enjoyed The Steve Allen Show and let his
two oldest sons watch Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show. His Dad
bought him a stereo record player and his first long playing
album, Chet Atkins Teensville, for his 13th. birthday. ( read more about John
) From Spotlight Heroes (next to
Deborah Samuel) |
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Jimi Hendrix |
Jimi
Bertucci |
Brian
Jones |
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Bee
Gees |
Elvis |
Keith & Brian |
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David |
Bowie |
Model Juli Bertucci |
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Model Liz Romo |
The
Beatles |
Mick |
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Jimi you really rocked the house
in Yucaipa last night, awesome job my man. I..(read
more) |
 Whether you are producing a multi-million
dollar commercial or a small budget film, James Bert
Publishing can
provide a catalog of songs and music that can compliment the
end results.Since 1973 we have been providing hit-making music.
Drop us an email and let us be part of
your next winning project. |
FOR ANY PHOTO ENLARGED
PLEASE CONTACT US AT solidhits@rogers.com |
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