- Last Updated on Saturday, 31 August 2013 23:19
Familiar voices of Yesteryear again will prevail when the Stockdale Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) presents another in its series of "All Oldies, Only Oldies" record hops on Saturday, November 9 at its spacious community center and social hall.
 Porky Chedwick
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And the classic music – Doo-Wop, Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll – of the late 1950s and early 1960s will be complemented by the presence of legendary disc jockey Porky Chedwick as a special Meet and Greet guest.
“From all indications of inquiries by those who attend these dances, we are anticipating another capacity crowd,” said Al Marcy, assistant fire chief and entertainment chairman at SVFD. “And we are extremely pleased that Porky Chedwick will be with us again. He is an icon in the broadcasting industry and is always warmly welcomed and embraced when he makes an appearance at Stockdale.”
The November 9 dance will run from 8 p.m. to midnight with a familiar BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything) format. Participants are encouraged to bring their own food and liquid spirits. The fire department will provide free refreshments (not soda pop).
Disc jockey Ralph Trilli, co-host of Cruisin’ Sunday on WJPA in Washington, will present the music. Marcy emphasized that the music to be featured by Trilli represents the songs requested by those who come to the dances.
“Ralph has an extensive collection of music from the 1950s and early ‘60s and his knowledge of those songs and artists makes for an excellent repertoire,” Marcy said. “He prepares his Play List based on the requests of the dancers and he also has the flexibility to respond to such special requests for birthdays, anniversaries and other events the night of the dance.”
Marcy said Chedwick will address the November 9 crowd in a program preceding the start of dancing. He will then be available to meet with the attendees, sign autographs and have photographs taken. Chedwick began his broadcasting career on WHOD in Homestead on August 1, 1948 and later gained national acclaim on the original WAMO. He also has had radio shows on numerous other stations in western Pennsylvania and holds the distinction of hosting well over 7,000 record hops during his career. He is the only Pittsburgh disc jockey to be recognized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
“It’s a good bet that those who attend our Oldies dances enjoyed going to Porky’s record hops over the years,” Marcy said. “You name the venue in the Pittsburgh region and there’s little doubt that Porky played there. He opened our eyes and ears to a whole new world of music and his unique style has transcended the years.”
The original Stockdale dances for teenagers began on Saturday, December 21, 1957 and ran through August 1964. Crowds of 1,000 were commonplace during the hey day of those record hops, which featured live performances by many of the top recording artists of that era – e.g., The Skyliners, The Flamingos, Little Anthony, The McGuire Sisters, Lou Christie, The Jive Five. Many of the artists and patrons of the original dances are featured in a unique pictorial display in the main hallway at the Stockdale firemen’s social center.
Tickets are $10 and reservations and additional information are available by calling 724-938-7950. Attendance will be limited to 600.
“From all indications of inquiries by those who attend these dances, we are anticipating another capacity crowd,” said Al Marcy, assistant fire chief and entertainment chairman at SVFD. “And we are extremely pleased that Porky Chedwick will be with us again. He is an icon in the broadcasting industry and is always warmly welcomed and embraced when he makes an appearance at Stockdale.”
The November 9 dance will run from 8 p.m. to midnight with a familiar BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything) format. Participants are encouraged to bring their own food and liquid spirits. The fire department will provide free refreshments (not soda pop).
Disc jockey Ralph Trilli, co-host of Cruisin’ Sunday on WJPA in Washington, will present the music. Marcy emphasized that the music to be featured by Trilli represents the songs requested by those who come to the dances.
“Ralph has an extensive collection of music from the 1950s and early ‘60s and his knowledge of those songs and artists makes for an excellent repertoire,” Marcy said. “He prepares his Play List based on the requests of the dancers and he also has the flexibility to respond to such special requests for birthdays, anniversaries and other events the night of the dance.”
Marcy said Chedwick will address the November 9 crowd in a program preceding the start of dancing. He will then be available to meet with the attendees, sign autographs and have photographs taken. Chedwick began his broadcasting career on WHOD in Homestead on August 1, 1948 and later gained national acclaim on the original WAMO. He also has had radio shows on numerous other stations in western Pennsylvania and holds the distinction of hosting well over 7,000 record hops during his career. He is the only Pittsburgh disc jockey to be recognized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
“It’s a good bet that those who attend our Oldies dances enjoyed going to Porky’s record hops over the years,” Marcy said. “You name the venue in the Pittsburgh region and there’s little doubt that Porky played there. He opened our eyes and ears to a whole new world of music and his unique style has transcended the years.”
The original Stockdale dances for teenagers began on Saturday, December 21, 1957 and ran through August 1964. Crowds of 1,000 were commonplace during the hey day of those record hops, which featured live performances by many of the top recording artists of that era – e.g., The Skyliners, The Flamingos, Little Anthony, The McGuire Sisters, Lou Christie, The Jive Five. Many of the artists and patrons of the original dances are featured in a unique pictorial display in the main hallway at the Stockdale firemen’s social center.
Tickets are $10 and reservations and additional information are available by calling 724-938-7950. Attendance will be limited to 600.
