Lane County Music History Project

Explore Our Rich Music History

Snapshot of Lane County in the 1950's

Sahara Club (1956-1962)

Categories: 1950s, 1960s, Eugene, Venue

The Sahara Club was a popular music venue in downtown Eugene Oregon from March 1956 through March 1962. This location housed a wide varity of clubs over the years. Location: 157 E Broadway Building History For more than 20 years this building was a night club spot with a revolving roster of names and addresses: Aug 19, 1948 Ad: Ernie Piluso’s Cafe – Completely … [Read more...]

ARCO Records

Categories: 1950s, 1960s, Eugene, Recording Studio/Label

Location: Eugene Oregon Years Active: 1950s-1960s Recording History 1959 - Larry De Rieux, Chicken Session / Darlene, Darlene,#101-102 1959? - The TRAVELERS THREE, "Johnny With The Bandy Legs" / "Run Come See Jerusalem" (Eugene) 1959 - The CORVETTES [II],  "Rockin' Round The Mountain" / "Shasta"- #104 1959? - The TRAVELERS THREE, "Roll Along" … [Read more...]

Larry De Rieux

Categories: 1950s, 1960s, Band, Rockabilly, Springfield

Home base: Springfield, Oregon Genre: Rockabilly Rockabilly Hall of Fame 1959 - Recorded Chicken Session and Darlene Darlene at ARCO Records in Eugene, Oregon 2002 - "Chicken Session" reissued on compilation LP Chicken Session. Side One Track #1 (Norton Records NW 911)   … [Read more...]

Vern Minkler (1916-1984)

Categories: 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, Big Band, Eugene, Featured, Musician, Oakridge

Vern Minkler was an baseball player, musician and music venue owner in Lane County. Background: 1916 - Born in Oklahoma 1932 - Name in RG Vaughn News Notes - attending a social 1937 - Worked at the Vaughn Store 1939 - Lived in Oakridge, Oregon 1938 - Baseball player for the Public Market (center fielder for local team) 1939 - New Manager at Central … [Read more...]