Rock and Roll and blue jeans were the iconic symbols of an unforgettable era, and of the youth of the 1970s. Loud rumbling muscle cars and long hair parted in the middle, set against a backdrop of pounding drum-beats and wailing guitars. Denim pants and blue-jean-jackets were the unofficial uniform at the Perth High School, and rock music – loud and heavy was the soundtrack of the times.
In a timely business decision, an enthusiastic 21-year-old kid from Smiths Falls, Perry Weagle, opened a blue-jean store called The Pant Barn, at 51 Foster St., in Perth, Ontario, in 1972. He also began to organize rock concerts. In the years that followed, he brought in some of the biggest rock and roll acts in Canada to play at the Farrell Hall, and later, the Community Center, in Perth.
His hugely popular store sold all of the latest styles in denim jeans, as well as the much-coveted tickets to his rock concerts, known as ‘Pant Barn Dances’.
The clothing store, and the concerts were enormously popular throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and teens were bused in from Almonte, Brockville, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, to name a few.
Oct. 26, 1972, p. 6, “The Perth Courier”
The Pant Barn, 51 Foster Street, Perth, Ontario
Aug. 24, 1972, “The Perth Courier”
Nov. 2, 1972, p. 4 “The Perth Courier”
Popular Teen Dances
Jan. 25, 1973, p. 8 “The Perth Courier”
Octavian – 1973
Apr. 5, 1973, p 9. “The Perth Courier”
Terry Dee & More Comes to Perth
July 26, 1973, p. 9 “The Perth Courier”
Octavian and Larkspur
Dec. 13, 1973, p. 20, “The Perth Courier”
Feb. 21, 1974, p. 6 “The Perth Courier”
May 9, 1974, p. 7 “The Perth Courier”
2,000 Teens attend April Wine Concert
May 9, 1974, p. 7, “The Perth Courier”
May 16, 1974, p. 6, “The Perth Courier”
“Youth Glad to Have Something to Do.”
July 18, 1974, p. 19, “The Perth Courier”
Original members: Skip Prokop: drums and vocals, Paul Hoffert: keyboards and vibraphone, Ralph Cole: guitar and vocals, Grant Fullerton: bass and vocals, Vic “Pinky” Dauvin: percussion and lead vocals, Ian Guenther: violin, Don Dinovo: violin and viola, Don Whitton: cello, Leslie Schneider: cello, Freddy Stone: trumpet and flugelhorn, Arnie Chycoski: trumpet and flugelhorn, Howard Shore: alto saxophone, Russ Little: trombone
Aug. 8, 1974, p. 10, “The Perth Courier”
Canada’s Most Popular Band
Aug. 8, 1974, p. 12 “The Perth Courier”
Aug. 15, 1974, p. 8, “The Perth Courier”
Oct. 3, 1974, p. 8, “The Perth Courier”
Oct. 10, 1974, p. 6 “The Perth Courier”
The Stampeder’s First Hit Single – “Carry Me”
Oct. 10, 1974, p. 6, “The Perth Courier”
Nov. 7, 1974, p. 6, “The Perth Courier”
Nov. 21, 1974, p. 13, “The Perth Courier”
Mar. 27, 1975, p. 13, “The Perth Courier”
May 22, 1975, p. 16, “The Perth Courier”
Apr. 22, 1976, p. 17, “The Perth Courier”
May 27, 1976, p. 18, “The Perth Courier”
June 17, 1976, p. 7, “The Perth Courier”
‘A Foot in Coldwater’ – 50th Pant Barn Dance
‘A Foot in Coldwater’ – the Pant Barn’s 50th rock concert – July 15, 1976, p. 9 “The Perth Courier”
‘A Foot in Coldwater’, article from “The Perth Courier”
July 15, 1976, p. 9, “The Perth Courier”
Dec. 9 1976, p. 10, “The Perth Courier”
55 Dances in Two Years
Pant Barn June 30 1977 p 15 “The Perth Courier”
July 11, 1979, p. 16, “The Perth Courier”
April 16, 1980, p. 17, “The Perth Courier”
Apr. 23, 1980, p. 12, “The Perth Courier”
April 30, 1980, p. 13, “The Perth Courier”
Max Webster: Kim Mitchell – guitars and lead vocals, Terry Watkinson – keyboards and vocals, Mike Tilka – bass and vocals, Paul Kersey – drums and percussion, Pye Dubois – lyrics
May 7, 1980, p. 31, “The Perth Courier”
Rowdy Crowd Gathers at Corner of Gore and Foster St.
May 7, 1980, p. 1 “The Perth Courier”
Charges Laid Following 13 Liquor Seizures
May 7, 1980, p. 2 “The Perth Courier”
Discover the unforgettable concerts, the rock and roll, and go behind-the-scenes with the bands, all the special memories – With stories and anecdotes from Perry Weagle, and former staff of The Pant Barn and the Perth Community Center. The story that captures the memories – “The Legendary Pant Barn Dances”, part of a collection of short stories in new book, “Lanark County Comfort: Homespun Tales to Warm Your Heart”
To purchase a copy, call – 613-267-2350, or online:
Other books by: Arlene Stafford-Wilson
arlene stafford wilson 