Local Spotlight Remember the Teen Fair at the EX?


An ad for the Teen Fair. John Einarson


bands generated, Red River Exhibition organizers established what was heralded as Canada’s first ever Teen Fair. The event was the brainchild of two en- terprising young businessmen, Barney Shane and Al Blanc, who planned to take the concept nationally following its Winnipeg debut. The east parking lot of the Arena was fenced in and some forty booths set up inside offering vari- ous teen-oriented activities and promotions. Open- ing at noon, the real attraction was the three stages boasting non-stop music from six p.m. to midnight. Sponsored by radio station CKRC, IGA Foods, and Monarch Wear (whose locally-produced Tee Jay jeans were the hippest threads at the time), the entertain- ment featured some of the city’s top bands including The Quid, Crescendos (shortly to leave Winnipeg for Liverpool), Shondels, Vaqueros, Pallbearers, and D.G.N. and the Unchained. “It was a real thrill for us to be playing at the Ex,”


B


ack in 1965, in an effort to tap into the bur- geoning youth market at the height of Bea- tlemania and catch the excitement local live


The Pallbearers playing Teen Fair stage.


notes Ron Simenik of the Vaqueros. “As kids we had all gone to the Ex.”


“It was fast-paced because while one band was playing, the other would be setting up,” recalls Cre- scendos’ drummer Vance Masters. A dance area was designated in front of each stage as teens boogalooed to the beat. “Kids were dancing all over the place,” says Simenik. Ex organizers estimated some 20,000 teens took in the Teen Fair between June 18 and 26, despite the occasional downpour. Besides the music, the Teen Fair included a tomato


throw (five tosses for a quarter), a slot car racing track operated by Cross Country Raceways, and the ever-popular car bash where teens, armed with sledgehammers, took out their frustrations on three dilapidated jalopies. But it wasn’t all mindless thrills. Various businesses and educational institutions like the Manitoba Commercial College and Junior Achievement manned booths. A nightly draw of a transistor radio was offered as well as the grand prize, a Ducati motorcycle. CKRC personalities like Doc Steen, Boyd Kozak and Harry Taylor served as rotating hosts each evening giving away dozens of 45s. The station also ran a contest,


CJNU and McNally Robinson’s Artist Spotlight for May 2019


designer,model, philanthropist, recording producer, song writer and television host. I’m exhausted just reading the list. She shot to stardom in 1963 and is still going strong. When Sonny and Cher put out “I got you Babe”


in 1965, I wasn’t sure who was singing which part as Cher has a distinctive contralto voice. I do remember the Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour in 1970. Their three-year run was fun to watch as Cher had teamed up with designer Bob Mackie. It was fascinating to see what her outfits would look like each week. Cher wasn’t afraid to follow the trends in music and


as re-invented herself a number of times doing pop, dance, disco and folk rock. Her awards, like her occupations, go on and on with


Cher – what else is there to say? B


Helen Harper


orn Cherilyn Sarkisian in 1946, Cher’s occupa- tions are listed as follows: singer, actress, author, business woman, comedian, dancer,


fashion


a Grammy, Emmy, Academy Award, three Golden Globes, plus a Cannes Film Festive Award, Kennedy Centre Honors, Council of Fashion Design of America and many more. She has sold 100 million records worldwide, becom- ing one of the best-selling music artists in the world. This busy mother of two, Chasity Bono (now Chas) and Elijah Blue Allman, has had her fair share of hus- bands and boyfriends. Some might say she has had the lion’s share. In 1978, she changed her name from Cherilyn Sarksian La Piere Bono Allman to Cher. This probably helped with writer’s cramp signing all those lucrative cheques at the bank. Known for her tattoos and plastic surgery, this tal-


ented woman just keeps on giving us wonderful music. She is currently touring until the end of 2019, but


far from retiring. She is planning a Christmas album, a second album of Abba covers, an autobiography and a biographical film about her life. “And The Beat Goes On.”


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The Crescendos CKRC ad.


the coveted prize up for grabs: the four Beatles’ au- tographs procured during the Fab Four’s brief refu- eling stop in Winnipeg the previous summer. Seven- teen-year-old Gloria Benoit was the elated winner. “I probably put my name in the drum about a hun-


dred times,” she chuckles. “They made the draw the next day on the radio and Boyd Kozak showed up at my house that morning with the autographs.” On the final day, popular CJAY television show


Teen Dance Party, hosted by Bob Burns, broadcast live from the site. There was even a beauty pageant culminating in the crowning of Miss Teen Fair. Teen Fair returned the following year though on a slightly smaller scale with three bands – The Orfans, Shondels, and Toronto’s Secrets – on one stage and fewer booths and displays. Monarch Wear used the event to promote their new line of Tee Kay jeans (“J is out, K is in!”) with the opportunity to meet Miss Tee Kay, singer Lucille Emond, in person. Miss Community Club was crowned on the final night. Although the Ex continued to feature local bands in various locations over the next few years, they never recaptured the unique experience of the Teen Fair. John Einarson is a CJNU announcer.


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