this is where I fell in love with the fun and joy of roller skating, especially when I learned to skate backwards...That grand Wurlitzer pipe organ was an unbelievable experience to skate to !!!!
I'm 53. Young; but old enough to have experienced organ music! I've listened to it all my life. Dad used to take us to the Imperial downtown when it was under the bridge in Portland Oregon is long gone now
The tune Freddie is playing is Honky Tonk Train. I gave him the sheet music for this tune back in the early 60’s when he was playing at the Fleetwood Roller Rink. I miss Fred Arnish and I really miss those days.
When Freddy played,..Everyone skated,...it ws happy music,....it made you want to skate !Freddy was my personal friend and at the age of 8 years old I met him at Fleetwood.(1962)...he installed a pipe organ exposed in the rafters,...as an 8 year old the sound absolutely infected me,..said to myself, "someday I'm going to learn how to play one of those",....I'm 61 now and have been playing Theatre Organs since age 18,...have a 4 manual in my living room. RIP Freddy and RIP HUB, ELM and Fleetwood
I lived in the area of 47th and Pulaski on Chicagos south side and it was a trip to the Hub , but come Saturday in 1957/58 my girl friend ( now wife) would travel the 15 miles to skate. It was the best in Chicagoland..
I'm sure no one will believe me but I put my old skates on just now and tryed to show my son how to skate foxtrot ? first time this mite have been blasted out of a van for skating in a few years hope fredie hears it wherever he is god bless you fred
Oh! Yes! I remember this so well, Freddie at the organ. I used to skate at the Fleetwood when he was there, Oak Lawn and the Planefield... That was skating. ;))
Must have been couples only!!!! In San Antonio, TX, in the 50s I went to the N. St. Mary Skating Rink, we had a Hammond organ there. Golllleeee I miss those days!!!!
Whenever Freddy was feeling particularly sadistic, he would play the WHOLE piece. I think he enjoyed seeing Julie and I die. Miss the man, miss the place.
this is where I fell in love with the fun and joy of roller skating, especially when I learned to skate backwards...That grand Wurlitzer pipe organ was an unbelievable experience to skate to !!!!
I remember skating there back in the sixty. That where I met my wife and still Mary to her.
Miss this so much!!!!
I'm 53. Young; but old enough to have experienced organ music! I've listened to it all my life. Dad used to take us to the Imperial downtown when it was under the bridge in Portland Oregon is long gone now
I skated to the music of all three Organists, during the " 60's, and 70's " GREAT Memories, indeed.
I loved going here. I was here every night
The tune Freddie is playing is Honky Tonk Train. I gave him the sheet music for this tune back in the early 60’s when he was playing at the Fleetwood Roller Rink. I miss Fred Arnish and I really miss those days.
Thank you for giving him this one. I can remember him playing it in the late '70's.
When Freddy played,..Everyone skated,...it ws happy music,....it made you want to skate !Freddy was my personal friend and at the age of 8 years old I met him at Fleetwood.(1962)...he installed a pipe organ exposed in the rafters,...as an 8 year old the sound absolutely infected me,..said to myself, "someday I'm going to learn how to play one of those",....I'm 61 now and have been playing Theatre Organs since age 18,...have a 4 manual in my living room. RIP Freddy and RIP HUB, ELM and Fleetwood
Some of those couples have some pretty good moves
I come here when i feel homesick i loved the hub miss it so much now the orbit is gone forever are they gonna leave any of my past???
Freddy was one of the theater organ greats and I had the pleasure of being his friend for a little while...a true shining star!
Wow that brings me back
I lived in the area of 47th and Pulaski on Chicagos south side and it was a trip to the Hub , but come Saturday in 1957/58 my girl friend ( now wife) would travel the 15 miles to skate. It was the best in Chicagoland..
1981. Was there sat nite.,,,, pink pin poms and all.... Wow
Thank you for sharing this. What a great loss to the Chicagoland area. The Hub/Axle may be gone, but she is definitely NOT FORGOTTEN!
I'm sure no one will believe me but I put my old skates on just now and tryed to show my son how to skate foxtrot ? first time this mite have been blasted out of a van for skating in a few years hope fredie hears it wherever he is god bless you fred
hey theres char and dwayne
I remember working at the Hub back in the 1965. Putting on skates and fixing them, that was alot of fun
My mom and grandparents told me about this rink. They had great memories from when they used to live in Illinois.
Was called The Axle
This is the way skating should be.....OH memories of the past. I spent many hours at the HUB listing to Leon Barry and of course have all his vinyl.
Oh! Yes! I remember this so well, Freddie at the organ. I used to skate at the Fleetwood when he was there, Oak Lawn and the Planefield... That was skating. ;))
It sounds like Freddie Arnish.
This style of skating is still a live and well at many rinks in my area and a lot of fun.
Any Jimmy Caro pics at the HUB??
Man does THIS bring back memories of the good old days. Good ol Leon Barry!
fred arnish **
I. Skating there Sat nite disco 1982
absolutlely fantastic... please post more..!
I don't know they were doing the swing, or drop fox trot when Leon was there
Must have been couples only!!!!
In San Antonio, TX, in the 50s I went to the N. St. Mary Skating Rink, we had a Hammond organ there. Golllleeee I miss those days!!!!
Chuck Turner it was foxtrot
Any Jimmy Caro pics?
Whenever Freddy was feeling particularly sadistic, he would play the WHOLE piece. I think he enjoyed seeing Julie and I die. Miss the man, miss the place.
When I went,, 1981,, sat might,,, disco music / rock.... I'm assuming this was day skating
@cobraglenn Can't wait.Thanks for these memories.Great times!
Oh the great memories!
I miss this place so much was there every sunday and then some from 1975-1983
Thanks for posting this, Glenn!!
Wonderful memories! Do you have more?
Cant be leave this video has so few views. SAD !
I yjink yhst sounds like Freddie Arnish.
Great video. Whoever did this, thank you. Go see the one I did listed right here with yours. I spotted Leslie Slack.. ;0)
Sure as heck wasn't Leon playing.
I THINK THIS IS ME MIKE (DUSTY)
Must have been couples only!!!!
Was the foxtrot
I wish I was there now cuz I hate this country as it is now !!!
@Gaygarious Foxtrot!