Courtesy of RRRP Group FB/given by Rick Edge. I think the sign has been relocated.
Courtesy of RRRP Group FB/given by Rick Edge. This rink photo showed what it looked like before they added side out=built. You can notice the roof extension was not built wider than the later years. The 1970s photos on Vintage Aerial showed the expansion. This was one of the earliest photo.
All photos and advertisements courtesy of RRRP Group FB/given by Rick Edge. Yes, the british group, the Yardbirds played there! Yes, that very same group with one of the best guitarist of all time, Eric Clapton played.
All photos and advertisements courtesy of RRRP Group FB/1983 Newspaper given by Gayle Edge. Wow, that fire was really nailing the rink done. They suspected it was an arson. This sounded familiar to another rink that a fire finished a rink by an arsonist (actually two.. I cant recall which rink I did a profile on this occurrence). But Anyway, This 1983 fire was the second for the rink. The first (see article about fire caused by faulty wire and the article about repairs). The first fire was at the very same year it was opened. And another fire that ended it. Truly sad story for this rink.
All photos and advertisements courtesy of RRRP Group FB/shirt photo given by Gayle Edge.
Rock River Roller Palace RR 2 Box 221 (South Main Road), Rockford, IL
Rock River Roller Palace was on RR 2 Box 221 (now as South Main Road) in Rockford, IL. This one a fan submitted me some photos but no description. But I found them on the net. This was a much storied roller rink in the 20th Century.
Hans M. Balle owned the rink with another business partner/investor. The owners lived behind the rink. Hans had an accident and the moved out and in the late 70’s. A few others also operated the rink.
It was located in the Northwest of Chicago sort of half way toward to Wisconsin. It had housed an organ and even had bands playing at the rink. For instance, the Yardbirds played there. That would be Members included Rick Nielsen, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and, Jimmy Page. They Play a Live Show at the Battle of the Bands on December 11, 1965 at this very rink! Another band where it got its start at the same town was Cheap Trick (they did not play at the rink though)! It is like being in the springing board for those two bands to reach out to become national and even international musical bands. Just like actors started in their high school drama class before they went on to Broadway or Hollywood or Toronto or Vancouver.
Clearly this rink was known to be a springboard for such bands. Not many rinks back in the 20th Century to do this because they focused on organ music then switched to DJ music format thanks to Empire Disco in Brooklyn that began that trend. But with this rink, fortunately for those two known bands had their start at the Rock River Roller Palace. If there was no Rock River, they would perhaps not get that same success. A Butterfly Effect if you want to call that. My opinion that is what would have happened.
Often the rink was rented out for dances.
According to November 24, 1956, the Billboard article referring to RSROA listing new members and the rink joined in that month in 1956. I am not sure when they actually opened. A fan page did not explain anything about that but had that Battle of the Bands at the rink which helped Eric Clapton's band.
However, a fan told me it was opened in 1956. So, that confirms the Billboard article date of Rock River joining the RSROA. Likely in the fall.
The rink had good run until they had a fire. I have no dates of the fire. It is said to be in early 1980s.
The property because of the fire, closed and demolished. It became private property then a haunted house for Halloween season. The place does look run down but not the same building. Totally demolished.
The Interior.
They had GRANITE floor to skate on. Yes, the very same hard stone found on your kitchen counters. I am sure it was thicker and more defined with a polish that protects the granite. This is one of the rarest rink in the world with this kind of floor. Granite! That really makes interesting floor to skate with. People said this place was big. From what I see in the photo. Sure does look pretty big and thanks to an old 8mm video.
I do not have much photos to see except for that video and the close up of the Yardbirds playing at the rink in 1965. More information would be appreciated.
The walls perhaps off the rink had real wood panels. A popular trend back the day with wood panels. It appeared to be Pine which also was common. It gives that 1950s feel inside with the Granite floor. Image how that look? Really interesting and different than the Mid-Century look such as South Cobb Roller Rink in Georgia which displayed truly Mid-Century Googie look. RRRP was more homily in style for their interior. Big difference than those with Mid-Century Modernism. I recalled some 1950s homes with this style with wood panels and Flatstone fireplaces and all. Remember those, Baby Boomers? I sure did. Because of this style, I would have loved to skate there if I ever have a time machine! Where is McFly? Doc? Haha.
The Exterior.
It was a Gabled roof warehouse-like with store-front like that hid the Gable roof-line. Windows were seen clearly up front although there were windows on the sides too. 1950s style of rectangular plane windows. Since photographs showed only in Black-and-White, it does look White because of its brightness. Is that correct it was white? Anyone?
Cinder-block built. The fire did reduce the building size.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A Floor: GRANITE! Floor Layout: Standard due to Granite.
Building Size: N/A Built: 1956 Demolished: Destroyed by fire.
Type of Building: Free Span Steel Truss Cinder-block Warehouse-like Building.
Roof: Gable. Plus extensions were also Gable.
Acres: N/A
Operated: Late 1956 to Sunday July 14, 1982.
Reason for Closure: Massive fire.
Wanted: Information regarding more photos of interior, exterior (there is a website that shows it but it has huge watermark disrupted the view and its not good). Exact dates of open and closed? Size of building, rink floor?
Anyone has pictures and/or information please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Facebook, Skate Log Forum, Rick and Gayle Edge, Vintage Aerial, Oregon Chiropractic,
© 2019-2020 Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved.
Hans M. Balle owned the rink with another business partner/investor. The owners lived behind the rink. Hans had an accident and the moved out and in the late 70’s. A few others also operated the rink.
It was located in the Northwest of Chicago sort of half way toward to Wisconsin. It had housed an organ and even had bands playing at the rink. For instance, the Yardbirds played there. That would be Members included Rick Nielsen, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and, Jimmy Page. They Play a Live Show at the Battle of the Bands on December 11, 1965 at this very rink! Another band where it got its start at the same town was Cheap Trick (they did not play at the rink though)! It is like being in the springing board for those two bands to reach out to become national and even international musical bands. Just like actors started in their high school drama class before they went on to Broadway or Hollywood or Toronto or Vancouver.
Clearly this rink was known to be a springboard for such bands. Not many rinks back in the 20th Century to do this because they focused on organ music then switched to DJ music format thanks to Empire Disco in Brooklyn that began that trend. But with this rink, fortunately for those two known bands had their start at the Rock River Roller Palace. If there was no Rock River, they would perhaps not get that same success. A Butterfly Effect if you want to call that. My opinion that is what would have happened.
Often the rink was rented out for dances.
According to November 24, 1956, the Billboard article referring to RSROA listing new members and the rink joined in that month in 1956. I am not sure when they actually opened. A fan page did not explain anything about that but had that Battle of the Bands at the rink which helped Eric Clapton's band.
However, a fan told me it was opened in 1956. So, that confirms the Billboard article date of Rock River joining the RSROA. Likely in the fall.
The rink had good run until they had a fire. I have no dates of the fire. It is said to be in early 1980s.
The property because of the fire, closed and demolished. It became private property then a haunted house for Halloween season. The place does look run down but not the same building. Totally demolished.
The Interior.
They had GRANITE floor to skate on. Yes, the very same hard stone found on your kitchen counters. I am sure it was thicker and more defined with a polish that protects the granite. This is one of the rarest rink in the world with this kind of floor. Granite! That really makes interesting floor to skate with. People said this place was big. From what I see in the photo. Sure does look pretty big and thanks to an old 8mm video.
I do not have much photos to see except for that video and the close up of the Yardbirds playing at the rink in 1965. More information would be appreciated.
The walls perhaps off the rink had real wood panels. A popular trend back the day with wood panels. It appeared to be Pine which also was common. It gives that 1950s feel inside with the Granite floor. Image how that look? Really interesting and different than the Mid-Century look such as South Cobb Roller Rink in Georgia which displayed truly Mid-Century Googie look. RRRP was more homily in style for their interior. Big difference than those with Mid-Century Modernism. I recalled some 1950s homes with this style with wood panels and Flatstone fireplaces and all. Remember those, Baby Boomers? I sure did. Because of this style, I would have loved to skate there if I ever have a time machine! Where is McFly? Doc? Haha.
The Exterior.
It was a Gabled roof warehouse-like with store-front like that hid the Gable roof-line. Windows were seen clearly up front although there were windows on the sides too. 1950s style of rectangular plane windows. Since photographs showed only in Black-and-White, it does look White because of its brightness. Is that correct it was white? Anyone?
Cinder-block built. The fire did reduce the building size.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A Floor: GRANITE! Floor Layout: Standard due to Granite.
Building Size: N/A Built: 1956 Demolished: Destroyed by fire.
Type of Building: Free Span Steel Truss Cinder-block Warehouse-like Building.
Roof: Gable. Plus extensions were also Gable.
Acres: N/A
Operated: Late 1956 to Sunday July 14, 1982.
Reason for Closure: Massive fire.
Wanted: Information regarding more photos of interior, exterior (there is a website that shows it but it has huge watermark disrupted the view and its not good). Exact dates of open and closed? Size of building, rink floor?
Anyone has pictures and/or information please let me know at [email protected]. Thank you.
Sources: Facebook, Skate Log Forum, Rick and Gayle Edge, Vintage Aerial, Oregon Chiropractic,
© 2019-2020 Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved.