Danceland

This project began several years ago when a group of friends and I were having lunch and bragging about all the cool bands we saw back in the ‘60s. I impressed everyone when I rattled off The Yardbirds, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, The Hollies, The Animals, ? & The Mysterians, The Beau Brummels, Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs, The Music Machine, The McCoys, The Kingsmen, The Turtles, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Lonnie Mack, Brenda Lee amongst others. I grew up in the middle-sized town of Cedar Rapids, Iowa (pop about 100,000). How was I able to witness that stellar array of talent in a town that size? Answer: Danceland Ballroom.

The ballroom was built in 1926. It was a beautiful place that offered top live entertainment for people in Southeastern Iowa. It garnered a great reputation under the tutelage of a few sharp managers who booked an impressive lineup of big-time talent. In my youth Danceland was the place to go see live rock and roll and I attended often. It was suggested at that lunch years ago that someone should do a book or website and document the bands that played at Danceland during that time. It was also suggested if anyone should do this, it should be me.

Not realizing the scope of this project, I accepted the challenge and set about gathering all the Danceland information I could find. I started scouring the Danceland ads in the local newspaper, the Cedar Rapids Gazette. I did this by looking through microfiche at the public library. (I now live in Minnesota and the Cedar Rapids library would send the microfiche up to my local Minneapolis library for me to view). After I got a computer, I was able to find the information I was looking for via the internet.

It started out as just a list of the more popular national bands from the rock and roll era. Then I realized, who am I to say who deserved to be mentioned or not, so I decided to list every act that performed there from 1955-1968. Then I started to look at all the famous big bands and orchestras that played there in the early years and decided I needed to include them too if I was going to properly tell the whole story.

I was also able to find other items from scrap books, blogs, etc. All non-publicity photos and autographs on the website were taken or obtained at Danceland. I put it all together - publicity photos, the newspaper ads and added a comment or two about some of the artists and their current record release.

I obtained information from the newspaper printed before the performances. I’m sure there were a few cancellations that I’m not aware of. If anyone has additional information, photos, etc. and would like to correct or add to the website please contact me. My mission is to make sure all information is correct and accurate.

With that in mind, welcome to the website that is dedicated to preserving the history of Danceland Ballroom in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. You can view the history from the grand opening in 1926 to its razing in 1968 (urban renewal). I’m sure you’ll agree that the array of top acts that graced the Danceland stage through the years is impressive.

Thanks for checking it out!

Steve Wilson

Special Thanks to Ann Duggan, Dennis Hertle, Tim Canfield, Dan Choiniere, Tate Preston, Kathy Wall