Sons of the Purple Sage at the Showboat – Jan. 1956

Here's a nice musical interlude for a Thursday. Seventy years ago this week, the famed recording group Sons of the Purple Sage were about to open a two-week run at the Showboat Lounge in Downtown Lorain.

Below is the movie and entertainment page of the Lorain Journal on Jan. 7, 1956 making the announcement.

The article notes, "The Sons of the Purple Sage, nationally known Western and Hillbilly novelty and comedy musical group, will start a two-week run beginning Monday, at the Showboat Lounge, 766 Broadway.

"The group formerly appeared with Roy Rogers in Republic Pictures and has performed on numerous television shows, including the Milton Berle Show, Ford Festival, Garry Moore Show, Langford - Ameche Show, Steve Allen Show and Songs for Sale.

"Among the top acts are unusual instrumentation by the entire troupe and singing in four languages by Lina Shane, who also plays drums and maracas.

"Bob Wheeler, one of the stars, plays guitar, a toy harmonica, smokes a cigarette, twirls a lasso with his mouth and keeps twisting and turning around at the same time at fast pace."

The history of the group is a little confusing, since there were two bands with just about the same name performing out on the West Coast in the early 1950s.

Nevertheless, it sounds like it was a great show. I'm always amazed at the incredible variety of national musical groups that performed in my hometown during the 1950s. Lorain's nightclub scene was amazing back then.

What was it like to hear Sons of the Purple Sage at the Showboat? Here's one of their albums so you can get a taste of their music. It's got all the classic tunes: Tumbling Tumbleweeds, Red River Valley, even Wabash Cannonball. 

I think they're great!

Meanwhile over at Ben Hart's Show Bar, the Snap-shots were performing. Click here to read a great, detailed history of this band that got its big break on the Gene Carroll TV show.