I got an email from reader Mark F. who asked about the band shell at Jackson Park, that’s tucked behind Windsor Stadium.
You can see it in the Google Earth Map above.
I dug into the history of the band shell, while working on the Windsor Modern book.
This band shell was built in 1959, and designed by Windsor Architects Johnson & McWhinnie. It replaced an earlier band shell that was destroyed in a fire in 1957.
Today the structure sits unused, and covered in graffiti. The doors on the stage are welded shut, and the area around the stage is used as a storage yard by Parks & Recreation.
There are some interesting musical decorations flanking the sides of the stage.
The back of the building reveals several doors. For loading instruments, maybe dressing rooms or washrooms?
The building was built very close to Windsor Stadium, and I am assuming that when the west grandstand was built, it blocked the band shell, and rendered it obsolete. It’s too bad, because if there’s one thing we’re short of is outdoor musical venues… Unless you like the blacktop parking lot feel of the festival plaza…
More of our history siting neglected. This time as a storage yard. Jackson Park used to host Motown acts, I wonder who graced this stage?
Anyone out there have any memories of this place when it was in use?
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GAV...
Are you possibly thinking of a band called ALBATROSS ?
hey, if anyone is still interested in this community reclaim project, or has any info that can be offered to help this possible restoration, plz contact me. i am trying to organize a proper proposal to make this happen. it has been wasted too long...
kevin@churchouse.ca
This is where they use to have the Battle of the Bands every Labour Day weekend. You had the carnival going on in the park and the Battle of the Bands competition. My uncle was in one of the Bands many years ago (early 60's)
The Sounds of Windsor did not become (Power & the Glory). This corrects a previous comment by Gil LeBlanc.
I, Bob McDonald created Amitrof. We also played at the band shell by the name Fortima with Bob Steele as singer. Prior to this I arranged a 3 man band for the battle. Marc Beneteau registered us without any band name. He used his imagination and came up with a name on the spur of the moment "Bonzo Bob & the Smoothies". Marc played guitar (superb) Doug Blain (bass) and Bob McDonald (drums). To our surprise we came in third. Pretty good for just fooling around.
One of my fondest memories at the Battle of the Bands was when the Lost Morals (Danny Bonk) won the battle. Very unique and professional. Later Jim Stanley (Sounds of Windsor) Bob McDonald (Bonzo Bob & the Smoothies) Danny Bonk (Lost Morals) as well as Jim Swan and Mike McConnell formed the band "Blair" although it meant "BLARE". We were the loudest band in Windsor with amplification equipment purchased from the Beatles who had played in Detroit and sold off their equipment to Danny Bonk. We never played at the Battle of the Bands as Blair.
Hey GAV - That was "Bonzo Bob and the Smoothies", an amazing guitar player who quickly put together a band just for the night. Final act was the Flying Farrel Family - a gathering of dozens of friends and musicians who simply jammed and made noise.
What about the Emancipation Festival that took place here before all of the fore mentioned? I have details and many historical facts that I am now going to investigate further. This is a great part of our history!!!
GAV on October 4, 2012 at 11:32pm asked about "Bonzo Bob & the Smoothies". That "band" was thrown together over night. On Guitar - Marc Beneteau, On Drums - Bob McDonald, On Bass - Doug Blain. Marc was probably one of the best guitarists in the Canadian music field. Fortima was formed by Bob McDonald consisting of Bob McDonald and Robbie Borrink on guitars, Al Hughes on Drums, Larry Culnan on Bass, Robert Steele on vocals. Soon thereafter, Fortima was dissolved and converted into Amitrof (Fortima backwards) with a new drummer (Paul Warren) and singer (Fred Rivait).
A little of topic, but nearby. I remember going to the Windsor Stadium with my family and Uncle. There used to be a marching band competition every summer. I think it was called "Hands Across the Border" or something. It was either held on July 1st or Labour Day, maybe. It was a pretty big deal with bands coming from the states to compete. My Uncle was really into but we thought it was "uncool". This must have been in the late 60's, early 70's.
Played the Battle of The Bands as The Peanut Gallery back in the day...