Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/59868
latest records," remembers Mongrels singer Joey Gregorash. "We mimed to Funny Day and had to add a little dance move. It was cheesy, but all the other bands were doing little moves. It was fantastic exposure." (Gregorash went on to host the Burns-produced Young As You Are, a gig that launched a long career in TV and radio.) Sugar & Spice made its public debut on Teen Dance Party on Jan. 27, 1968. "We couldn't have asked for a better start," notes manager Michael Gillespie. "We were eu- phoric at debuting on that show." In August of that same year, The Guess Who with Bob Burns on Teen Dance Party Outside, outside of the Sears store in Polo Park in 1965. notes Marta Jack, "and if you were, then you didn't get in. And if you didn't treat the girls prop- erly, you weren't allowed back. "I remember there were a few of these big, tough North End guys that Skelly knew, and they came to the studio one Saturday to be on the show. Bob just walked right over to them and said, 'We have a choice here. You can come in and dance with some really beautiful girls and enjoy yourselves, or you can cause a problem and you will never be allowed in again. Which is it?' "Skelly's face broke into a big smile and he replied, 'I want to dance with the girls.'" (Skelly went on to spend a lifetime in the music business, becoming a sales representative for MCA/ Universal. He died in 2002.) 55 2012 Escapes to choose Each Saturday morning, teens began lining up at CJAY's Polo Park building. Doors opened at 11:30 a.m. and the live, one-hour show began at noon. Following a short break at 1 p.m., tap- ing for two segments called Bob and the Hits would commence. By the mid- '60s, Bob and the Hits took the Teen Dance Party concept to weekdays, appearing as two half-hour shows. Burns' prominence in the teen community led to work as both a manager and record producer. He produced several early Guess Who recordings, including Shakin' All Over, and managed the group for a time. He also produced the Sugar & Spice hit, The Cruel War. Local bands often appeared on Teen Dance Party promoting their records. "We would go on and mime our new 2011Rangers remaining! Only 10 fi nancing! 3.99% 60 month Teen Dance Party and Bob and the Hits were cancelled, victims of changing times and tastes. On CJAY TV's 25th anniversary in 1985, a Teen Dance Party re- union brought many of the regulars back together. Hosted by Burns, the atmosphere was euphoric. "We had a blast," enthuses Marta Jack. "Skelly was there, and Sandra, Alana and I. It was a wonderful evening." Following a lengthy career in radio, Burns died on October 25, 2010. Memories of Teen Dance Party remain vivid for Winnipeggers of a certain age. "It was a very simple time," Marta Jack says. "Nothing complicated. We just went to school, danced and hung out. And we always had fun. We used to dance for two hours straight on the show and not think twice about it. Then we'd go to a com- munity club and dance all evening." #R4E130 2012 ESCAPE XLT 23 2.3 I4, 6-spd Auto, Full Power, Sync Hands Free, 40 MPG rating 3 I4 6 sspdAut Purchase with custom cash offer $21,088 uto Fulll Po OR $ P wer 138 30 April 2012 Winnipeg Boomer /Bi-Weekly 2011 RANGER SUPER CAB $ 2.3 I4, 5-spd Auto, Air Cond, AM-FM/CD, Sirius Sat. Radio, Alum. Wheels, 33 MPG rating 2 I42.3 4,5, -spd uto Purchase with custom cash offer 15,384 pdA to,A, ir Con OR $ Co d, AM- M/CD, AM FM/ 98 /Bi-Weekly Prices and payments plust $1,500 Freight plus Fees & taxes. Bi-Weekly Payments based on 60/84 month terms @6.99% APR with 10% down 1717 WAVERLEY |1-877-432-8670 mymidtownford.com