The Canteen

Eisenhower in the White House
Black & White TV
Coke in 7-oz, Emerald-green Bottles

Back in the fifties, the Canteen, sponsored by the YWCA and managed by a sweet lady named Sadie, became our after school hang-out. During our days in Junior High, September 1954 through May 1957, we heard the first chords of rock & roll. The music was a unique blend of old and new era music: The Four Lads’ No Not Much and Elvis’ Don’t Be Cruel played back-to-back on the Canteen jukebox.

And there we were – girls in ponytails, guys in DA’s – young, innocent, and ready to rock and roll!

The Playlist:

Shake Rattle and Roll
Mr. Sandman
Hearts of Stone
Maybellene
Sincerely
Dance With me Henry
Ain’t That a Shame
It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie
Rock Around the Clock
Seventeen
See You Later, Alligator
The Great Pretender
Heartbreak Hotel
No Not Much
Don’t Be Cruel
Blue Suede Shoes
Singin’ the Blues
I Want You I Need You I Love You
Love Me
Blueberry Hill
Young Love
Round and Round