Has it really been 30 years since EXPO 86 changed Vancouver forever?

I saw it as an opportunity to highlight the best of rock and roll. In 1985 we did a test run at the Pacific Coliseum with Freddy Cannon, Chuck Berry, The Chiffons and Bobby Curtola to see if the concept was valid. A small group involved themselves in the project including my friend Greg Douglas, my business partner Les Vogt and others. We sought out a sponsor and White Spot came aboard. The concert was a huge success and it proved there was great interest in the nostalgia of early rock’n’roll.

We worked with promoter Paul Mercs and EXPO 86 executives to bring the greatest names of rock’n’roll to Vancouver. Now we needed a sponsor, and radio legend Mel Cooper introduced us to Labatt Brewing.

We were given the fantastic Expo Theatre for 13 weekends with an afternoon matinee and a show each Sunday night. Getting the main stage acts was not a problem as performing at a World’s Fair was a great opportunity.

We were entertained by 43 of the greatest rock’n’roll acts of all time! See and hear the interviews on my YouTube and SoundCloud channels, Red Robinson’s Legends. 

The Gary U.S. Bonds show was cancelled, and Fats Domino & Jerry Lee Lewis appeared at EXPO 86 on August 31. Here are some of the photos from those landmark shows!