(Arnolds Park)– A book that chronicles the history of the original Roof Garden Ballroom hits the stores this Thursday. “Remembering Okoboji’s Roof Garden Ballroom–The Rock and Roll Years” was written by lakes area residents Tom Tourville and Rebecca Peters. Tourville says they got the inspiration to write the book while putting together a museum display depicting the famous ballroom’s history.
Tourville says some of the information they found was nothing short of amazing, including the fact close to 1,200 rock artists played at the Roof Garden.
The book is over 80 pages long and has nearly 200 photos, along with copies of old posters and contracts of some of the artists that performed at the Roof Garden.
Tourville says the research that went into the book was very extensive, with some of the information coming out of archives owned by the late Darlowe Olson, who at one time operated the ballroom.
Beginning this Thursday (July 1st), the new book will be on sale at several lakes area locations, including the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association’s Museum and the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum…both in Arnolds Park; the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji; and Fleshtones at the Central Emporium in Arnolds Park. It retails for $14.95.
Tourville and Peters will hold book signings at the Rock The Roof concert this Thursday (July 1st) evening at the Roof Garden Pavilion and stage-side with the Rumbles at Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park at 7:00 p.m. this Saturday, July 3rd.
Tourville says it’s likely they’ll be putting out sequels to the book as they come across additional information not included in this edition.
