I grew up in the 50 & 60’s and we had an organist at a place called America on Wheels in Elizabeth NJ. We skated every Friday night, Saturday afternoon & evening and sometimes Sunday afternoon. What fun we had,
Gosh. I skated there in the last years of my competitive skating career back in the early 70s. I had no idea that Dominic bought the place. He was a legend for years and years in the skating world. Always the preferred organist for the old dance competitions. We loved him! I moved away years ago, but I still recognize the place!
I used to live close by. I miss this place so much! I was a happy place to escape to for me. I loved all of the old timers. They always helped me to learn. The organ music was hypnotically beautiful. Like a carousel :) I think it was on Wednesdays.
Dominic! Bless your heart. I remember you playing at all the Southwest Pacific Regional Championships that I skated 1975-83. You are the best organist ever! How I miss those days.
God bless you Mr. Dominic!!! Thank you for all the years of great organ music!!!! I live on the East coast but if I am ever in the area ... I will make sure to stop by the rink on a Tuesday!!!!
Just stumbled upon this. It used to be Harry's when I went there regularly in the late 1950's early 1960's. I think it was Stan Wheeler at the organ. I lived in LaCanada and several of my Junior High friends and I would get a ride there from ones parent. Sometimes we would hitch hike back, walk part way or another parent would pick us up. Can't remember the bouncers name but one red-head guy in our group would always take the blame for others knocking him down and on his way down took out several other innocents with him and get kicked out. Several years went by and a couple of us decided to return to relive the good old days. Same bouncer was there and remembered my friend due to the red hair. He said "OK Red, I'll be watching you and one bad move and you're OUT OF HERE" Other times we would venture down to the Hollywood Roller Bowl ( no longer there) that's another story.
I went between 59 and 63 . greatest place ever it was harry's then as well .. miss it best days of my teenage years and yes Bobs big boy every fro or sat night cruise to the drive in in glendale ,, did you know Steve R .. he was around 5'8 or so best skater ever , well will never forget the place and Stan at the Organ , great guy also ..
@@lynnnorton7556 I don't remember the name Steve there but likely would recognize him. I remember the Rexing Couples. I bet he was out there for that because all those who did it were really good skaters. They could really fly going backwards. Was really fun. Bobs Big Boy in Glendale or Ernie's Taco House over in Eagle Rock was always a destination.those then. Sounds like we are about the same age and maybe were there at the same time.
I love Dominic. I used to sit up on the organ stage in the Moonlight in Pasadena when I was a kid. I used to rex to his music. Keep it up Dominic- you are an ICON ! Tanya Adair- formerly from Pasadena- Now Las Vegas ...l
You're a good man Dominic. I used to skate at the Hub in Norridge, IL when I was a kid in the 60's and early 70's. They had a massive organ with percussion instruments as well. I still have really fond memories of that.
This guy is amazing and i'll definitely visit his roller rink some day! P.S. these videos are amazing and the production quality, and surprisingly, the framing is fantastic
I actually just had a conversation with my father about how roller rinks used to play organ music. He said his favorites when he was a kid were 'Red River Rock' and 'Happy Organ.' Look them up, you won't be disappointed.
Yes, me too and apart from the skating it was really the start of socialising, the roller rink that I went to like this one had a hammond organ and inbetween the hit music of the day that we used to skate to, an announcement would be made for the skate dance couples amongst us, who would then come on after we left the floor and then the hammond would play to later choose the winning couple and it really was something. The rink was a beautiful sprung dancefloor and was really well attended each week.
I love the organ music. I was fortunate enough to grow up with three of them. Mainly, the Oaks Park in Portland OR. They had another rink called The Imperial: which closed. Also had an Organ Grinder pizza place which also closed. Thank you for your dedication. I will only skate to organ music. 😌 I am on a mission to find all of the roller-rinks that still have a live organ roller-skating rink. So far you are the only other roller-rink I have found. Do you know of any others???
Hope he doesn't stop anytime soon. what an inspiration
1:25 I feel for the guy who is using the wall trying not to fall. I am the same.
It's a Goodie me too TvT
Lmfao me
We were all there at some point
I grew up in the 50 & 60’s and we had an organist at a place called America on Wheels in Elizabeth NJ. We skated every Friday night, Saturday afternoon & evening and sometimes Sunday afternoon. What fun we had,
Gosh. I skated there in the last years of my competitive skating career back in the early 70s. I had no idea that Dominic bought the place. He was a legend for years and years in the skating world. Always the preferred organist for the old dance competitions. We loved him! I moved away years ago, but I still recognize the place!
I used to practically live at Moonlight from about 1973 to 1978 🙂
I used to live close by. I miss this place so much! I was a happy place to escape to for me. I loved all of the old timers. They always helped me to learn. The organ music was hypnotically beautiful. Like a carousel :) I think it was on Wednesdays.
I really hope the City of Glendale designates this place a historic landmark.
Dominic! Bless your heart. I remember you playing at all the Southwest Pacific Regional Championships that I skated 1975-83. You are the best organist ever! How I miss those days.
Really love the style of these videos
Really the only reason why I want to go to California so much.
moonlight is really such a special place!!! If you’re in the LA area you should definitely go ❤️
God bless you Mr. Dominic!!! Thank you for all the years of great organ music!!!! I live on the East coast but if I am ever in the area ... I will make sure to stop by the rink on a Tuesday!!!!
Started skating at the Moonlight in 1966...And remember Dominic on the organ...So happy to hear that Dominic and the Moonlight are still here !
You are an absolute American Cultural Icon. Hands down. God has blessed you in unimaginable ways. There is joy out there folks. Peace and Love.
You guys constantly provide the best stories. Keep it up!
Just stumbled upon this. It used to be Harry's when I went there regularly in the late 1950's early 1960's. I think it was Stan Wheeler at the organ. I lived in LaCanada and several of my Junior High friends and I would get a ride there from ones parent. Sometimes we would hitch hike back, walk part way or another parent would pick us up. Can't remember the bouncers name but one red-head guy in our group would always take the blame for others knocking him down and on his way down took out several other innocents with him and get kicked out. Several years went by and a couple of us decided to return to relive the good old days. Same bouncer was there and remembered my friend due to the red hair. He said "OK Red, I'll be watching you and one bad move and you're OUT OF HERE" Other times we would venture down to the Hollywood Roller Bowl ( no longer there) that's another story.
I went between 59 and 63 . greatest place ever it was harry's then as well .. miss it best days of my teenage years and yes Bobs big boy every fro or sat night cruise to the drive in in glendale ,, did you know Steve R .. he was around 5'8 or so best skater ever , well will never forget the place and Stan at the Organ , great guy also ..
@@lynnnorton7556 I don't remember the name Steve there but likely would recognize him. I remember the Rexing Couples. I bet he was out there for that because all those who did it were really good skaters. They could really fly going backwards. Was really fun. Bobs Big Boy in Glendale or Ernie's Taco House over in Eagle Rock was always a destination.those then. Sounds like we are about the same age and maybe were there at the same time.
I love Dominic. I used to sit up on the organ stage in the Moonlight in Pasadena when I was a kid. I used to rex to his music. Keep it up Dominic- you are an ICON ! Tanya Adair- formerly from Pasadena- Now Las Vegas ...l
I love this man so much
You're a good man Dominic. I used to skate at the Hub in Norridge, IL when I was a kid in the 60's and early 70's. They had a massive organ with percussion instruments as well. I still have really fond memories of that.
Would have been nice to hear him actually play the music in this video.
wow i was there 4 years ago maybe 3 times when i was visiting Glendale..I wish i knew this guy was going to be there i really would have enjoyed that
I havent been there in years. I need to go back there :)
This guy's great, I hope that his business gets more popular with the kids around the area
This guy is amazing and i'll definitely visit his roller rink some day!
P.S. these videos are amazing and the production quality, and surprisingly, the framing is fantastic
Love this retro look 🤩
Don't stop Dominic!! I'm coming to the moonlight roller rink as soon as I can :)
next time home, I have to make Bob's in the valley on Friday, moonlight rollerway when Dom plays the organ, hope to see the rexers at play.
It's like a Wes Anderson movie!
This story made my heart smile ❤️🙂
Cool..its good that old school roller ring still active hehe 😅👍🏻
It really is surreal seeing your city on Great Big Story xD I wish I'd known you guys were here so I could tell you how awesome you are in person!
I really want to go there one day!
I actually just had a conversation with my father about how roller rinks used to play organ music. He said his favorites when he was a kid were 'Red River Rock' and 'Happy Organ.' Look them up, you won't be disappointed.
The dude at 1:27, I know how you feel
I almost cry.
Yes, me too and apart from the skating it was really the start of socialising, the roller rink that I went to like this one had a hammond organ and inbetween the hit music of the day that we used to skate to, an announcement would be made for the skate dance couples amongst us, who would then come on after we left the floor and then the hammond would play to later choose the winning couple and it really was something. The rink was a beautiful sprung dancefloor and was really well attended each week.
Thats really cool this guy is awesome!!
I love the organ music. I was fortunate enough to grow up with three of them. Mainly, the Oaks Park in Portland OR. They had another rink called The Imperial: which closed. Also had an Organ Grinder pizza place which also closed. Thank you for your dedication. I will only skate to organ music. 😌 I am on a mission to find all of the roller-rinks that still have a live organ roller-skating rink. So far you are the only other roller-rink I have found. Do you know of any others???
I waited forever to hear a song not just describing....
I’ve seen this roller rink so many times driving past it
I would love to go to a rink that played live organ music.
Aww do they still do this?? I would definitely go once the pandemic is over 🥺
This is so wonderful!!
This looks like a job for
*COOL PATROL*
From the upside of town?
Nice, what a treat of nostalgia
Wes Anderson needs to make a movie based on this location.
OMG I wanna go!
Feeling a little guilty that my home state is getting such attention in today's videos.
you guys are the best
I must visit there one day.
Me and my friends love going to this place
That is cool, good for him.
Omg! This place is right by my house I've been there for a couple of birthday parties
I've been here for a school fundraiser and I wish it was during the organ playing 😭
Black eyed peas and snoop dog's new song was shot here. :)
I went here for a field trip today!
What's the name of the song and artist at the 1:12 mark. That's a nice song.
I love 10seconds away from there
Awesome!
There are more than a handful of organ players on the east coast. I skate to some of them.
That wall hugger though, haha.
I went there like last Saturday it’s amazing
Love it!!!
I just recognized This place was used in the movie straight out of Compton
Groovy!
God’s Grace and mercy 🙏
i love this
1:26
I feel you bud.
Thats great
Lol, i pass by this place all the time.
God bless his heart
Believe you me... there's no dust on Dominic's Hammond organ! ;)
I love going there
Accidentally stumbled into Wes Anderson´s spankbank.
Glendales finest.
What is the tune he is playing on the organ?
I saw that Hammond organ in the thumbnail and had to click.
I Thought i was the last rink organist. Worlds largest roller rink. Guptill’s Arena.. Cohoes NY
Wasn’t this in a scene of Straight Outta Compton?
And here we are. We can't even build a rink. 😓
😍😍😍
Cool Patrol?
I would love for him to teach me how to play !!!!
Nice
1:27 That One Guy...
there was a roller rink near me but it closed, but i think they moves, idk
We're going to cali
**Sips tea**
My name is Giovanni Giorgio but my friends call me... Wait wrong video
Looks like George Bush even skates there @ 1:25
So let us hear some of his playings?
What about letting us here him play
The nerds holding the wall
That is AMERICANA AT ITS BEST!
The last time I've been there was in 2012
I wanna go here! Except i cant roller skate or ice skate. I lose my balance
Hey I’ve been there
Hi
Where's ninja brian?
You can pay 25 cents for a song request I always spam funkytown
I blame Elvis and the Beatles for the downfall of roller skating society too bud, it's real.
:)