Effingham was a Rocking Place 50 Years Ago

Effingham was a rocking place 50 years ago.

Richard Hampton shared in an e-mail that it was 50 years ago...January 22, 1968 and June 8, 1968...that REO Speedwagon appeared at the Pollyanna Dance Hall in Effingham. The building was the old skating rink, now the Secretary of State Drivers License facility on Willow Street.

Hampton wrote, "Merrilee Rush and the Turnabouts (of 'Angel of the Morning' fame) were there on August 24, 1968 and The New Colony Six were there on August 9, 1968." The band had hits like "I Will Always Think About You" and "Things I'd Like to Say".

The Cryin Shames appeared at the Pollyanna on November 30, 1968. Their most successful single was a remake of "Sugar and Spice" that was a big hit for the English band The Searchers. The local band "The Curiosity Shoppe" opened here for the Cryin Shames.

Hampton writes that he found signed contracts for all of the acts except The Cryin Shames in his old paperwork. Hampton managed and co-operated the Pollyanna after Donna Kersmanc.