Music

A Song About the Infamous Teenage Head Riot at Ontario Place

On June 2, 1980, Teenage Head was scheduled to play a gig at the old Ontario Place Forum.  It did not go according to plan and the riot that ensued has gone down in Canadian music history.

Lost in the chaos was this song by The Items who wrote and recorded their impressions of the riot within days.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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5 thoughts on “A Song About the Infamous Teenage Head Riot at Ontario Place

  • Awesome! I was there that day, but was early so we got in just fine.

    Reply
  • I wasn't there but strangely enough Teenage Head played my high school in 1978 (Wexford Collegiate in Scarborough) and my college in 1981 (Centennial College Progress Campus). I was a bouncer (okay I was one of the smallest kids at the time – that changed the next year) at the high school show, guarding the back door. Two bikers walked in and I told them they had to go to the front door to pay. They asked me who was going to make them. I said I guess that would be me! I just stared at them with my knees shaking sure I was going to die. They walked back out. I was stunned and thankful and surprised I didn't wet myself. TH put on a great show though…never forgot it.

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  • Ha, Larry! I had friends at Wexford but I went to Vic Park, where they played in, I think, 1979 or 1980. I was so excited, I drank a whole mickey of rye by myself, and when I got to the concert I was so drunk, I pissed my pants, got separated from my friends, and just went home in embarrassment. So between that and Ontario Place, I never saw them live in an uneventful way. 🙂

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  • I was at the Centennial College gig in 1981. I was in grade 10 at the time. A friend of a friend snuck about seven of us in a back door. It was a great time!

    Reply
  • Pingback: Scenes From Ontario Place | Scenes From A City

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