Ottawa! Are you ready to rock?
Then head to the City of Ottawa Archives!
As incongruous as that sounds the trip just might be worth your while, especially if you are a long-time fan of Ottawa’s club and concert music scene. Archivists have put together an exhibit called “Ottawa Rocks!” – chronicling the rich history of rock and roll in the nation’s capital.
City Archivist Paul Henry describes it as a very personal look at Ottawa’s rock and roll past. The exhibit includes loaned artifacts from over 60 local groups and individuals – everything from a cherished $3 ticket stub from Elvis Presley’s 1957 Ottawa concert, to one of Paul Anka’s actual gold records. “It’s quite a testament to the power of music in Ottawa,” says Henry.
There are some facts that just might surprise you. Did you know Canada’s first rock and roll music video came from Ottawa? Or that Jimi Hendrix and Joni Mitchell first met while playing shows on the same night in Ottawa, and proceeded to party the night away in Vanier?
There are references to some of Ottawa’s most famous visitors from Presley to The Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin. It also chronicles Ottawa’s homegrown musical history – one that produced stars like Alanis Morissette and the afore-mentioned Anka. Les Emmerson of Five Man Electrical Band and The Staccatos says Ottawa had an amazing music scene. “There were so many places to play for a young band in your teens starting off, lots of place to learn your trade,” says Emmerson.
Ottawa Rocks! is on now and runs to Dec. 7th in the James Bartleman Centre at the corner of Tallwood Drive and Woodroffe Avenue in Nepean. Admission is free.
