It's 1946, teens needed a place to have fun and dance. There was a great swinging band at the Oak Ridge Resort -- Big Stoop Chamberlain's Orchestra. This band played bebop and Basie; and Latin Rhumbas, Merengues and Tangos. The place went wild five nights a week and then, one night . . . the place inexplicably burned to the ground. The dancers who had enjoyed Big Stoop followed the band to the Marigold Ballroom, Minneapolis largest and most popular dance hall. Dancing was a bit less raucous but Big Stoop became one of the best bands in the Midwest.
The Marigold Ballroom is now a memory beneath the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 12th and Nicollet. But Big Stoop is still going strong.
Check out the music and Click on "Contact Ron Chamberlain", above, to engage us.