|
At the Record Hop
by Felice Prager
It was an investment for my dad, and it took very little to make it
happen. It was not a “get rich quick” scheme – it was just an added way
to make income on a Saturday night or a Sunday afternoon.
In the 1950’s
there was a lot less to do on weekends. On Saturday night and Sunday,
most stores closed. The super malls we have today were not there yet.
My dad rented a hall in the Bronx in New York not far from the Bronx
Zoo, as I remember. I believe it had at one time been a bowling alley,
but I am not positive about this fact.
I am also not sure what the hall
was used for on weekdays as I was just a little girl at the time and I
am going from vague memories to write this.
On Saturday nights and
Sunday afternoons, the hall became a Record Hop. It was based loosely on
the “sock hop” concept of the 1950’s.
Sock hops of the 1950’s were informal dances at high schools. They were
usually held in the high school gymnasium or cafeteria where, in order
to protect the floors of the room from scuffmarks and scratches from
dress shoes, teens were asked to remove their shoes before entering and
dancing.
With the popularity of sneakers and rubber-soled shoes, the
removal of shoes became unnecessary, but the term “sock hop” has lived
on, mostly for revivals and school dances with a 1950’s theme.
The concept of the record hop had very little monetary overhead.
Teenagers paid to get in. Their hands were stamped with an inkpad stamp
that could only be seen under a small black light. A teen volunteer
acted as a “DJ” and played the top 45’s of the week.
Each week, those who attended were asked to write down their favorite
new songs and put their choices into a small hand-decorated box so my
dad could provide new 45’s for the teens.
With the advent of rock and
roll and the many popular groups of the 1950’s, my dad had a huge
collection of 45’s. The records were numbered with little sticky
numbers, catalogued, and kept in cases that my dad brought back and
forth from our home.
Teens danced, got hot and thirsty from the activity, and bought soda,
hotdogs, and chips when they wanted to take a break. The concession was
also run by teen volunteers.
My mom and dad stood on the side and
watched to make sure the hall was supervised. Sometimes they allowed me
to go with them.
I was very young and I remember having to get dressed
up to go. Most of the time I stood on the side with my parents, but
occasionally I was permitted to sit on the platform with the volunteer
DJ. It was a well-lit hall.
The teens dressed up – girls in dresses or skirts and boys in slacks
with shirts and sometimes ties. It was a wholesome way for teens to meet
other teens. The most risqué part of the event was when some teens went
outside for “a smoke.” All they had to do was pass their hand under the
black light to gain permission to re-enter the hall.
Occasionally, local bands volunteered to play. They were not paid
either. Though I cannot remember most of the names, I know, before
Chubby Checker became famous with his famous “Twist” – he played at my
dad’s record hop. So did the original
Platters and some other groups who
eventually became famous.
Eventually, my dad stopped running these dances. Times changed, music
taste changed, and it was not lucrative enough to make the effort worth
it.
Nevertheless, for years, we kept my dad’s collection of 45’s in our
basement. I think they were sold at a garage sale for a lot less than
they are worth now. I saved a few of my favorites – out of their sleeves
so they are very scratched – but by a few, I mean maybe a half dozen
hits like “Seven Little Girls Sitting in the Back Seat (Huggin’ and a
Kissin’ with Fred)” and “Tan Shoes, Pink Shoelaces.”
My knowledge of collectibles was minimal at the time of the sale, and I
just saved the ones that made me laugh.
|
|
