Listen "Harley Rothstein at The Retinal Circus"
Episode Synopsis
Harley Rothstein’s first band was the folk duo Russ and Harley. He then played in the psychedelic rock bands The French Hand Laundry, Pacific Nation and My Indole Ring. The conversation was recorded on August 30 2023. Russ and Harley played at The Bunkhouse, a folk music coffee house at 612 Davie Street in the 1960s. The rock bands played at The Retinal Circus at 1024 Davie Street in 1967 and 1968. The club was operated by Jim Allan, Blaine Culling and Roger Schiffer. Memorable shows there included Country Joe MacDonald and the Fish, Bo Diddley, Muddy Water, Charlatans and the Velvet Underground. Some of the local bands which played are Pacific Nation, The Painted Ship, Mock Duck, Papa Bear’s Medicine Show, The Collectors, Mother Tucker's Yellow Duck, My Indole Ring. Video of six psych bands filmed for three episodes of the CBC show on Let's Go. The Kitsilano Theatre was at 2114 W 4th Ave. Since 1958 it has been the Russian Community Centre, and in 1966 was often rented out to The Afterthought, a concert series which put on shows at various venues over the decade. Huge thank you to Kellarissa for the original theme music. And thank you to Vancouver's Regenerator Records. Music clips used with artist permission. Harley Rothstein: Karen’s History Book from Songs of Love and Humanity (2023). The song was written in 1968 by Harley, Russell Precious and Stan Persky for the band The Pacific Nation. Mother Tucker's Yellow Duck: I (from The Cool-Aid Benefit Album [1970] re-released in 2010 by Regenerator Records) Mock Duck: Do Re Mi (from The Cool-Aid Benefit Album [1970] re-released in 2010 Regenerator Records)
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