Efforts in Erie to Suppress Rock ‘n’ Roll

Erie’s radical decision to banish rock ‘n’ roll from its airwaves marked a significant moment in the history of music censorship in September 1959. At a time when the city was celebrating new infrastructure achievements like the St. Lawrence Seaway and advancements in medical science through polio vaccination programs, there was growing concern among some Erieites about the moral implications of rock ‘n’ roll music.

WLEU, a local radio station formerly known as WWGO, decided to undertake a bizarre publicity stunt dubbed “The Rock ‘n’ Roll Funeral” to ceremoniously dispose of 7,000 records into Presque Isle Bay. The event sparked global media attention as reports of the extravagant display began appearing in various publications, including the Japanese edition of Stars and Stripes and the African American weekly magazine, JET.

The decision to ban Rock ‘n’ Roll was met with mixed reactions from the residents of Erie. Some saw it as a necessary step to preserve traditional values and protect the youth from what they perceived as a corrupting influence. WLEU’s station manager at the time, “King Paul,” announced the change, emphasizing the new format would focus on “good music” instead of rock ‘n’ roll.

As the funeral procession made its way from the radio studio to the Public Dock, hundreds of onlookers witnessed the dramatic disposal of the records into the bay. The event culminated in a memorial service a year later to commemorate the “demise” of rock ‘n’ roll, with Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson even commenting on the retrieved records as being “warped, just like rock and roll.”

The impact of WLEU’s decision to bury rock ‘n’ roll was deeply felt by the local community. The change in music programming reflected broader shifts in cultural attitudes towards popular music during the late 1950s. The rise of rock ‘n’ roll as a dominant genre signified a departure from the traditional sounds of Big Band and crooners, with pioneering artists like Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly shaping the music landscape of the era.

For teenagers like Jeff Pinski, who lived through this cultural transformation, the era marked a period of profound change and musical evolution. The demise of rock ‘n’ roll on the airwaves paved the way for new wave of music to emerge, while hinting at the complexities of censorship and artistic freedom in the evolving media landscape.

Looking back on this peculiar chapter in Erie’s history, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Funeral stands as a testament to the enduring power of music and the clash of generational values that resonated at the heart of the 1950s cultural revolution. Despite attempts to bury rock ‘n’ roll with sensational theatrics, the rebellious spirit of the music prevailed, reminding us of the innate resilience and creativity of artists and the enduring influence of rock ‘n’ roll on our collective memory.