Editorial: Rock up for annual blast from past

Hey hey, my my

Rock and roll will never die

The great Canadian rock musician Neil Young's lyrics will probably ring true, but one of the original attractions of the musical genre - dance - is under threat.

The Hawke's Bay Rock N Roll Club is holding its annual competition at the St Matthew's Parish Hall tomorrow night, and club spokeswoman Marion Maslin admits membership has declined in recent years.

The not-for-profit group has approximately 70 registered members and another 50 casual members, who flip, spin, twist and turn each other for their own enjoyment, and the enjoyment of others, with free demonstrations at places such as retirement homes and car fairs.

The club even ran a workshop for a group of children who were taking time out from the Christchurch aftershocks last year.

2012 is a big year for rock and roll dance in Hawke's Bay as the New Zealand championships will take place at Pettigrew Green Arena over Labour weekend, an event which will bring several hundred dancers to the province.

Of course, it will not be as big a year as 1954 when Bill Haley and the Comets recorded (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock. It was a number one single on both the US and UK charts and, while not the first successful rock and roll record, it became an anthem for rebellious 1950s youth.

More than any other song, it brought rock and roll into mainstream culture around the world - and was associated with the dance form of the same name.

It has been reintroduced to each successive rock generation, including by the nostalgic American television show Happy Days (1974-1984), for which it was the title tune.

The problem for rock and roll dancing, with regard to longevity, is that it requires much skill.

As one who preferred to hide two left feet with the Fonz method (cuddle close/move little), the timing, precision and athleticism required for this form of dancing is mind-blowing.

But if you think you can foot it, fancy a walk back in time to an era in dance and music, head along at 7pm tomorrow. Bill Haley and the Comets are sure to be playing, and they're worth a listen.

When it's eight, nine, ten, eleven too,

I'll be goin' strong and so will you.