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The
SYDNEY STADIUM - FROM FIGHTS TO MUSIC
Later
affectionately called ' The Tin Shed'
The Stadium
was built in the early 1900's on Rushcutters Bay Rd., just
down the hill from Kings Cross, as Sydney's main boxing and
wrestling venue, yet years later it was to earn itself the
title of the premier venue for the early Rock 'n' Roll scene.
Many World
Boxing and Wrestling title fights were held there and it operated
many nights of the week. It was in fact one of the most popular
venues in Sydney during the 20's, 30's and 40's. The
whole place was made out of corrugated iron sheets without
any linings and the natural echo was amazing. When the music
turned up, the sound enveloped back on itself and was very
hard to decipher although it suited the slap echo type of
R'n'R ! Once the audience started screaming it was impossible
to hear anything, even on stage.
It was
Sydney's Premier Showcase before The Opera House and Entertainment
Centre were built.
Many Aussies
such as Johnny O'keefe and The Dee Jays, Col Joye and The
Joy Boys, Lonnie Lee and The Leemen, Johnny Devlin and The
Devils, The Delltones, Johnny Rebb and The Rebels, Dig Richards
and The Squares, Warren Williams and Barry Stanton performed
there as well.
It also
saw movie stars such as The Mouseketeers, Bud Abbott and Lou
Costello, Bob Hope and many ethnic dance shows.
Festival
& Centenary Halls
The other
capital cities also had their fight venues as pre Rock patrons
not only had Bing Crosby and others as their idols, they also
were boxing and wrestling crazy. The same story applied to these
venues as to the Stadium.
The
Starlite DVD publication of 'The Roots of Australian Rock-n-Roll'
will be released early 2005 to coincide with the 45th Anniversary
of Australia's music industry...If you are would like to be
on the e-mail list to be notified when it is due for release.
Please e-mail you name, address, phone and e-mail address.
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