Written by Geoff Walden

Australia’s first rock ‘n’ roll riot is reported to have occurred at Brisbane’s Stadium in November 1956 at about the same time as the Opympic Games were being opened in Melbourne. It heralded the beginning of a period of upheaval for the city and its inhabitants.

Police, court and newspaper reports indicate a time of unrest, a time when the bogie threat in Brisbane streets had to be beaten and rockers stopped from dancing in the aisles at the pictures and at rock ‘n’ roll concerts.

Actions ranging from murder to taking the eggs from the cages of prize poultry at the Brisbane Exhibition were attributed to those who could be identified with the rock ‘n’ roll movement.

For many of the newly named teenagers, the late 1950s was a time of great excitement, a time when their voices began to be heard and make a difference.

It was only Rock ‘n’ Roll tells, through the memories of some of the people involved, of those voices and of the excitement in Brisbane and its adoption of rock ‘n’ roll.