My late father used to take me to the roller games at the Olympic. I wish there was more Dick Lane content available including his work in television wrestling. Thanks for sharing this wonderful memory ❤️
WOW! I’m a 58 year old Milwaukeean who used to watch TBirds on tv every Saturday afternoon 5 years, never missed a week. Still think this is better than wrasslin’. Ronnie Rains was the MAN. I still wonder if they can play the games legit minus the gimmicks. I believe they can
"Whoaaaaaa NELLY!" is the classic tag line of the all time greatest roller derby announcer Dick Lane, Ronnie Rains, Danny Reilly, Ralphie Valladeres, On the women's side, Terry Lynch+the 747 Earline Brown! I LOVED the bad guy managers...one guys carried a briefcase that he would used to knock out T-Birds during a jam+ then act all innocent. I remember the T-Birds would almost always trail by 20 + points with only a few minutes left. Either Ralphie, Ronnie, or Danny would don a jammers helmet. And they would do that Whiplash thing to give the Jammer the extra momentum. The bad guys always used the Jammer helmet the beat on the opposing Jammer
With the Bombers, Rains supposedly had a gimmick where he'd wear a Prussian army helmet with a big spike and become invincible. He didn't do it too often, but if he put that helmet on in crunch time the crowd would go nuts and he'd scatter the opponents like bowling pins. Would love to see that. Thanks for the video!
Classic Ronnie Rains! Man, do I miss that guy and Reilly, the T-Birds, and the whole thing! Done right, and with all of the talent that's around today, I think REAL roller games, or roller derby if you please, could flourish again. But I emphasize: DONE RIGHT! And, a plug, if I may: Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "Rolling Thunder." A GREAT source for rekindled memories and more!
4:23 Burdett Jackson, cleared for takeoff 3:06 Sent into the cheap seats courtesy of Ronnie “Psycho” Rains. The psycho is not just a player, he’s an entertainer.
Gooch Gutierrez became Coach of the Bombers and would beat him with a cane and humiliate him, all part of the script to finally get a match race between the two so Ronnie would be free to join the T-Birds if he won. If he lost I think Ronnie had to quit skating. Forever. High Drama.
Rains worked better as a heel, an opponent to TBirds…same with Danny Riley. Both ended up being afterthoughts the last year show was aired in my area as I recall
What was so sad about Roller Games was its "imagined" drama ALWAYS overshadowed the tremendous skaters on the track. I liked Raines from the beginning. I first saw him skate in Roller Derby. I believe he and "Big Chief" John Parker skated on a "visiting" team of the Southern Mustangs. They absolutely destroyed Charlie O'Connell the entire game!
How many Saturday mornings did I spend with my two brothers watching roller derby then pro wrestling? After the Raquel Welch movie, Kansas City Bombers, my brothers refused to keep watching.
@@kevinm6790 I remember seeing a feature on the local news in Los Angeles decades ago. I'm sure there's more recent information on the Internet than that. Perhaps ask the people who upload T-Bird games on TH-cam ? Sorry for the short response 4 months ago.
I loved the Philadelphia Warriors in the early 70's... shame they didnt have a Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage or a Rick Flair other wise they would still be around
Bringing back good memories from my childhood 😅
My late father used to take me to the roller games at the Olympic. I wish there was more Dick Lane content available including his work in television wrestling.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful memory ❤️
Agree. Dick Lane was the best! Whoaaa Nelly!
Ronnie Rains was always my favorite. He really knew how to work the crowd into a frenzy.
That is an amazing throw at the 3:06 that's gotta hurt! This really makes me miss my grandparents, they loved the Roller Derby/Games.
He was my favorite guy. His leg whips were legendary
Rollergames didn't die by the gator pit, it died when Ronnie retired. The sport was never the same without him.
You make a very good point. Ronnie Raines was super skater and entertainer!
He was a hell of an entertainer! My favorite!
This brings tears to my eyes... I love America so much for man sports!!!
WOW! I’m a 58 year old Milwaukeean who used to watch TBirds on tv every Saturday afternoon 5 years, never missed a week. Still think this is better than wrasslin’. Ronnie Rains was the MAN. I still wonder if they can play the games legit minus the gimmicks. I believe they can
Btw there was a guy named the hatchet man...what was his real name?
This was great entertainment for kids on philly in the 70s
So much fun to see it live!
"Whoaaaaaa NELLY!" is the classic tag line of the all time greatest roller derby announcer
Dick Lane, Ronnie Rains, Danny Reilly, Ralphie Valladeres, On the women's side,
Terry Lynch+the 747 Earline Brown! I LOVED the bad guy managers...one guys carried a briefcase that he would used to knock out T-Birds during a jam+ then act all innocent. I remember the T-Birds would almost always trail by 20 + points with only a few minutes left. Either Ralphie, Ronnie, or Danny would don a jammers helmet. And they would do that Whiplash thing to give the Jammer the extra momentum. The bad guys always used the Jammer helmet the beat on the opposing Jammer
But do you remember the "Penalty Box" bar in Van Nuys ?
It was a bar owned by a couple of the T birds.
I think the manager with the briefcase was Lester Quarles.
@@TheJudgeofLevelstm It was in Reseda and it was owned by Shirley Hardman
Thank goodness somebody preserved these video memories.
Ronnie Rains Was Truly Something Else,He Was My Favorite T Bird Skater
Psyco Rains and Danny Reilly it doesn't get any better!
Yep, they were my favorites! Remember Reilly’s Renegades? That was before he returned to the T-Birds.
With the Bombers, Rains supposedly had a gimmick where he'd wear a Prussian army helmet with a big spike and become invincible. He didn't do it too often, but if he put that helmet on in crunch time the crowd would go nuts and he'd scatter the opponents like bowling pins. Would love to see that. Thanks for the video!
Classic Ronnie Rains! Man, do I miss that guy and Reilly, the T-Birds, and the whole thing! Done right, and with all of the talent that's around today, I think REAL roller games, or roller derby if you please, could flourish again. But I emphasize: DONE RIGHT!
And, a plug, if I may: Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "Rolling Thunder." A GREAT source for rekindled memories and more!
Thank you, Rush, much appreciated!
When I saw Ronnie I knew their would be exciting
4:23 Burdett Jackson, cleared for takeoff
3:06 Sent into the cheap seats courtesy of Ronnie “Psycho” Rains. The psycho is not just a player, he’s an entertainer.
My mom skated for the thunderbird's with Ronnie, she told me a lot of his moments he had in the ring. She and him we're good friends till he passed
That’s cool! Who is your mom?
My old boss when I was 16 he's a good man love ya brother
0:42 lady in church clothes ready to whack the badguys. 😅🤣😂
Back then I also thought the roller derby was real.
Queen of the Roller Derby!!!
I remember when Ronnie was on the bombers. His own team beat him up, during the game, thats how he got on the team.
I remember that like it was yesterday!
Gooch Gutierrez became Coach of the Bombers and would beat him with a cane and humiliate him, all part of the script to finally get a match race between the two so Ronnie would be free to join the T-Birds if he won. If he lost I think Ronnie had to quit skating. Forever. High Drama.
Dick Lane go t-birds go whoa Nelly go go go he was the best announcer
Rains worked better as a heel, an opponent to TBirds…same with Danny Riley. Both ended up being afterthoughts the last year show was aired in my area as I recall
Ronnie Rains was the Bests SKATER I USE TO GO TO Olympic Auditorium..Just to see Ronnie. And
Ralphie valladares.Ronnie you were. BAD MAN
I was in SF up until the 70s so I was in2 RD....but used to get RG on sat nite....Ronnie was my favorite....✌️🖖😺😽😍
What was so sad about Roller Games was its "imagined" drama ALWAYS overshadowed the tremendous skaters on the track. I liked Raines from the beginning. I first saw him skate in Roller Derby. I believe he and "Big Chief" John Parker skated on a "visiting" team of the Southern Mustangs. They absolutely destroyed Charlie O'Connell the entire game!
OMG There Goes Harold Jackson Over The Rail By Ronnie Rains
How many Saturday mornings did I spend with my two brothers watching roller derby then pro wrestling? After the Raquel Welch movie, Kansas City Bombers, my brothers refused to keep watching.
This way better that WWE.
WWE on skates
Oh me oh my indeed
3:06 Sent into the cheap seats courtesy of Ronnie “Psycho” Rains. The psycho is not just a player, he’s an entertainer.
1 thumbs down? must be a Bombers fan! booo!
Best skating with n y bombers coach
Go, T-Byrds
Is Ronnie still living, not much info. on the great skaters Jim Trotter, baby Rocco, I know Judy sowinski and Buddy ackinson died.
Ronnie is alive but not Trotter or Rocco.
He was at his best when he was with the N.Y. Bombers.Too bad there's no videos of him as a Bomber.
Who'd win the fight, a roller derby guy on roller skates ve. a hockey player on ice skates?
ロニーレインスケート上手い選手ですね現在ロニーレインは？
He works for an air conditioning company.
@@TheJudgeofLevelstmHow do you know this? I can’t find any info on him. I recall years ago he was selling burgers or hot dogs up north somewhere.
@@kevinm6790 I remember seeing a feature on the local news in Los Angeles decades ago. I'm sure there's more recent information on the Internet than that. Perhaps ask the people who upload T-Bird games on TH-cam ? Sorry for the short response 4 months ago.
@@TheJudgeofLevelstm Thanks for the reply. I’ve looked him up a few different times and didn’t find much. I’ll try asking.
Ronnie Rains sounds exactly like Bruiser Brody
I loved the Philadelphia Warriors in the early 70's... shame they didnt have a Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage or a Rick Flair other wise they would still be around
Attaboy
I detest that T-Birds and Roller Derby are mentioned in the same sentence. Their league was not true Roller Derby.
Yeah, we know, it was roller games. Not worth getting your panties in a wad over.
He was better when he was with the NY Bombers.
PURE ENTERTAINMENT!!! I HOPE DONALD TRUMP BRING THIS BACK... WHEN AMERICA WAS GREAT!!!
This wasn’t Roller Derby, it was wrestling on skates!
I assure you this was roller games. Roller Derby was something else.
so fake
Ronnie raines was the reason I never watched roller games..he should have been banned...
I think you’d be in the minority. He was the reason many of us watched.
New respect for these guys...dancing on skates🖖✌️😽😺😂😂