"A Long, Long Time Ago: The Major Rock and Roll Concerts in Southern Maine, 1955-1977," a book talk with Ford Reiche

Recorded May 2, 2024 - What's the big deal about rock and roll concerts in Maine? Back when there were just a handful of AM radio stations and only three TV channels, this small and remote state got way more than its share of live performances by big-name rock and roll musicians. When the rock and roll stars of the day were planning tours, southern Maine was on their map- sort of "off Broadway" stops before hitting the big cities on the east coast of the United States. This was a unique dynamic and a stroke of luck for young Mainers. In this talk, Ford Reiche took a closer look at this history, including what made these performances such noteworthy local events, the hometown concert promoters and radio personalities, the community performance venues, the record shops where event tickets were sold, and the local garage bands that often served as opening acts. Sound engineer courtesy of Kevin Schinstock/Groundswell Sound