There is a distinct emphasis on the importance of music and movies in the life of CSSS students, both in everyday life and in events such as dances. Music and movies were uniting for students, but there were also students opposed to certain entertainment, with the musical Jesus Christ Superstar generating a certain level controversy among the students. However, this controversy as well as the changes in demand for music, movies, and entertainment in general, demonstrate the change in perspectives and identity Chilliwack youth in the 1960s and 1970s.
Dances and music festivals were a frequent part of life at CSSS during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The distinction between these two events is that dances were local and organized usually by students for students, whereas music festivals or even concerts could be local or in Vancouver and they were organized for a broader group of people. Both of these events featured varieties of music typical of the time period. One band that was popular was, of course, the band “Chilliwack.”[1] Besides the obvious partiality Chilliwack students would have had to the name of the band, students were also fond of the songs as they gave “a certain element of Canadian identity.”[2] One element of Canadian identity that Chilliwack supposedly embraced that students like was a “strong Indian quality.”[3] A student wrote when reviewing the album Chilliwack II, that “The Indian seems to be a standard symbol of Canadianism and Chilliwack takes this idea, using an Indian style in their music.”[4] While critiques of cultural appropriation could be made here, the significance of this is that students enjoyed music that was Canadian; music that reinforced their sense of Canadian identity.
One band that excited the student body when it was announced they were finally coming to Vancouver was the Rolling Stones. This was scheduled to happen in June 1972, and it did happen, and tickets sold for 6 dollars.[5] The exact time that the tickets would go on sale was announced to the students so that they all had the opportunity to buy tickets and not miss out. Alice Cooper was also popular among students as he also performed at a concert in Vancouver. One student said, “In spite of being ugly and slightly deranged, Alice and the band have some good sounds.”[6] The student suggested that Alice Cooper and his band make Black Sabbath look like a “Sunday school choir,” however, Frank Zappa and the Mothers were considered just slightly better.[7] Through this, it is clear that students listened to a whole lot more music than previous generations. Music was a major part of their lives as teenagers and as a generation.
Christian rock also made its impact felt among the teens of CSSS. Celebration, which was a Christian rock band from Toronto, performed in the CSSS gym as well as in some other high schools across BC.[8] They had a distinctly Christian message “Peace Through Jesus,” and each band member had “committed their lives to Jesus Christ” and their goal was to communicate “their lives with Jesus through rock music.”[9] So, in this case, rock music was a medium to convey a religious message to teenagers. This performance was popular at CSSS with approximately two-thirds of the student body going to the concert.[10] This shows the remaining Christian influence that remained strong in Chilliwack even though some teens shifted away from religion.
Jesus Christ Superstar, a rock musical, came to Chilliwack on December 11, 1971.[11] It’s significance was that it was the first “big name concert” ever in Chilliwack and it was hoped that it would pave the way for more productions coming to Chilliwack.[12] While this musical proved quite a success and many students attended, one student, a devout Christian objected to it; Wylie Jones argued that Jesus Christ Superstar made a mockery of Jesus and could only have been a tribute to him had it been performed by Christians.[13] This was a minority view among the students, though the view may have been more popular among older generations. The reality is that many Christians were in attendance when it was performed, although, the lead guitarist performing did point out that it was the smallest audience he had ever performed to.[14] This could be because some conservative Christians were opposed to it, but more likely because Chilliwack was a small location. Most students embraced the musical and looked forward to more productions coming to Chilliwack.
Chilliwack was also unique, at the time, in that it had a drive-in entertainment center. It was often referred to as “D ‘n S” and it was a popular place for teens on evenings, especially weekend evenings.[15] The teens at CSSS were proud of the fact that Chilliwack was one of the few towns that had a drive-in movie theater, and they believed it to be a cure for their boredom. At the D ‘n S, there were also recreational facilities and places to purchase food. The atmosphere was described by a student journalist: “The minute you drive in you notice a certain excitement in the air. There are cars pulsating with blaring music, car hops hopping about, and people running from car to car, visiting their friends.”[16]
Along with drama and Women’s liberation, music was considered, especially rock, “a distinctive part of the changes” that were reshaping “western society.”[17] This was especially seen in the youth and it is clear that music and entertainment played major roles in the lives of CSSS teens.
[1] D.L. “The New Chilliwack Album,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, January 7, 1972, 9. .20
[2] D.L. “The New Chilliwack Album,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, January 7, 1972, 9. .20
[3] D.L. “The New Chilliwack Album,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, January 7, 1972, 9. .20
[4] D.L. “The New Chilliwack Album,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, January 7, 1972, 9. .20
[5] K.S. “The Rolling Stones are Coming!” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, May 5, 1972, 3. .37
[6] G.M. “Music,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, February 17, 1972, 5. .27
[7] G.M. “Music,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, February 17, 1972, 5. .27
[8] Elley, “Turned on by Celebration,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, October 29, 1971, 6.
[9] Elley, “Turned on by Celebration,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, October 29, 1971, 6.
[10] Elley, “Turned on by Celebration,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, October 29, 1971, 6.
[11] “Jesus Christ Superstar is Coming” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, December 3, 1971, 12.
[12] “Superstar is Coming!” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, November 19, 1971, 6.
[13] Elley, “A Rap Session with Wylie Jones,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary, January 14, 1972. 7. .24
[14] “Rock Opera ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Fine Show,” Chilliwack Progress, December 15, 1971, 4, https://theprogress.newspapers.com/image/77135489/.
[15] D.L., “Drive-In Entertainment Centre?” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, October 15, 1971, 9.
[16] D.L., “Drive-In Entertainment Centre?” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, October 15, 1971, 9.
[17] Ray Logie,“Drama programs meet modern needs,” Chilliwack Progress, March 29, 1972, 29, https://theprogress.newspapers.com/image/77071093/.