ROLLERrewind "xtreme FLEA HOP" REEL 1/Euclid, Johnny Sharp

[@shelbylisa3782]

I learned how to skate to organ music. Because of that, I can skate to any type of music. I’m 58 and still skating. It’s such a pleasure to help others learn to skate when i go to the rink. My kids are 4th generation skaters. Let’s keep this going!!

[@heatherscaife-arkley8297]

I grew up here started at age 5. Self taught. Worked for Elaine -Such a beautiful place ♡♡♡♡♡

[@UTURN8888]

Thanks Heather for sharing your memories

[@sharoncrawford7192]

I grewup in Ohio. We use to go skating at Skyborn Skateland. I loved roller skating.

[@Music2Die4]

This "Flea Hop" thing (including the Broglio/Sharp/Freeman organ style) needs to be spotlighted in a major movie....... It was a well-kept secret that was IMO the best fusion of accessible recreation and music ever conceived...... Too well-kept, to where it will likely fade away. (If it hasn't already.) Yet an activity, had it been more grounded and widespread, could have become both a permanent and wholesome fixture in American life. Great times ought not be a thing of the past.

[@claremcbride416]

Thanks for sharing That looks so much fun

[@sh2362]

This is awesome!!!!! I have never heard of this style of roller skating (the "flea hop.") I grew up skating to the Wurlitzer Organ at the Oaks Park in Portland Oregon. This rocks you guys!!!!!!!

[@RH-cp6xw]

Skate land was such fun. Great memories!

[@judyreddix8904]

I learned this there in 1950's.

[@Music2Die4]

There is not much to say about Cleveland, but it did (and maybe still does) have the best roller skating sessions on the planet.

[@juanitabrooks1811]

Oh my this brought some good ol memories,,I loved the flea hop!! Thx 4 sharing,,I almost got on a pr of skates yesterday but I djdnt,,don't have no1 to take care of me if I was to brake something!! 😅 😀 🙃 but I will next time, I'm sure, it's been 25++ yrs but I bet I can still do it!! Well see 👀 😏 🙄

[@UTURN8888]

We will be together in Lorain Ohio at Skate World Sept 25 2022 at 5-9pm. Only you can determine your abilities. Spectators are always welcome. Most of my skating friends have "aged out" of skating, but show up to listen to 4 organists and watch the action. Thanks for commenting

[@juanitabrooks1811]

@@UTURN8888 that's awesome,,I still do alotta things at my age,,thx 4 sharing

[@UTURN8888]

That was the beauty of the move. Everyone could personalize their routine based on their abilities...but, we could all line up for the basic Flea Hop...during the show off numbers.

[@draftyheart]

Great times!!

[@UTURN8888]

Yes they were! Thanks Barbara

[@ScorpioBornIn69]

It's too bad the era of roller skating has been coming to an end, seeing these rinks being taken down one by one. It was very popular back in the '70s and '80s.

[@rufusminnie]

In the 1950s We did a skate like this and called it the Schottische/ which was pretty close to the way it's done on feet. Also another one called the Two Step. I guess we called them different names in the "old days".

[@dale19532]

Mom and Dad skated there many years ago!

[@UTURN8888]

@rufusminnie Thanks for the insight! Jitterbug, Rock the cradle(for pairs), whatever you want to call it, it's unique to certain regions of the US. Glad you enjoy the vids. There's more to come! Js

[@Dugarr2001]

Its funny watching some of the skaters. They are all doing the flea hop, but everyone adds their own touch to it. I can see people fly by in the video, and just by the steps I see, I recognize some of the Broopark skaters. I may not know their names, but I know their footwork!

[@Dugarr2001]

I recognize the guy in the Skateland Jacket at 5:43, He is or was a floor guard if I remember correctly. But I have no idea what his name is. I do see alot of faces that I remember. I really miss Flea Hops like that. During the last Saturday night session I worked at Brookpark Skateland, when they called for the Flea Hop, it was me and 4 other people on the floor.

[@UTURN8888]

Thanks much for the feedback! This was a one-of-a-kind night at RDM!!

[@UTURN8888]

I don't know...but, this event was WELL attended by Skateland skaters...as well as those from many other rinks. Thanks for watching.

[@tycotoys]

When I was younger someone dumped a cup of baby oil across the skating floor and people were wiping out like crazy. Had to stop and clean the floor up

[@UTURN8888]

@Dugarr2001 That was Bob Keissling. He passed away early this year. Thanks for your comments!!

[@bosco0172]

this is where I fell in and outta love every Friday and Saturday in the mid 80s when I was a kid/Teen, i stopped going around 89, do u have any footage from 80s of rollerdrome? I'm in it if u do.

[@UTURN8888]

@bosco0172 no sorry, I don't

[@UTURN8888]

I appreciate you saying so! Yes...I skated all over the country, and the only place where flea hop was common was Ohio and Western Pa. And due to Mr. Broglio's influence, Bobby and I both copied his style from the start. In fact, the guy playing there now, Mike Clemens, who is much younger, copied me and Rich. But he heard me more, due to the time he was skating. He's got the idea pretty well. Thanx 4 ur feedback! Johnny Sharp

[@susanwaites2482]

Barb still got it going on

[@garyzarin474]

Anybody remember U.S.A in Wickliffe?

[@christinjixinuniwalex6411]

Shout out to Marshmallow and Overlook We Slayed The Flea Hop 🎉

[@Music2Die4]

I just read that the Brookpark rink was destroyed by fire in 2018..... This rink is no longer the Euclid Rollerdrome, became Pla-Mor skating center, the theme of the rink changed, these type of skating sessions are now gone..... It seems like Cleveland's once-great roller skating scene (which I thought was the best in the country) is now in shambles........

[@UTURN8888]

That is true. However, Euclid has reorganized and is reopened. Brunswick Skate Station is playing organ recordings I made at BP in the 80s. And Lorain SKATE WORLD has former BP organist Mike Clemens playing twice a week live...and hosts our special organ events. We continue to keep the crowd together our way!!

[@Music2Die4]

@@UTURN8888 Is there any "new blood" down there? I don't know if the Broglio/Freeman/Sharp style will ever be replicated..... Clemens and Brunswick's Tom Zitkovic were "OK", but not quite up to that level.

[@Music2Die4]

@@UTURN8888 I kind of wish someone could open a nice rink in Scottsdale, and have your and/or Freeman play there........

[@UTURN8888]

Thanks for the comments, Rick! I remember you, but, was unaware of your whereabouts. Hope you can take the kids soon! Johnny Sharp Keep in touch!

[@SeattleDinghyer]

Amazing. How is it noone fell? I'm stupefied.

[@UTURN8888]

When you skate 3 times a week...falling is very rare...and usually caused by someone else.

[@NostalgicNell]

There’s a Hop version where you stand in one place. Lots of 3 turns. Does anyone have any footage?

[@Music2Die4]

What was the opening song on this video? Thanks much!

[@UTURN8888]

The opener is "THE HONEYDRIPPER" Thx 4 askin!

[@freemanlambright7093]

Hi Johnny, Say, I belong to an adult/Seniors skate club here in Knoxville, TN and we're looking for some good organ skate music. How could we buy some CD's from you ? Freeman (Fritz) Lambright.

[@UTURN8888]

ur right about that! Tho, there's not much left today. Too many other things to do! Js

[@dale19532]

Any pics of Grace Jindra still on the walls?

[@Music2Die4]

I never realized the "flea hop" was so localized to Northeast Ohio.... I spent time in PA, and nobody even heard of it. The organ sessions reminded me of Glendale, CA..... Kinda boring. I originally thought this was big all over the Eastern U.S., but I was wrong. The reality made me lose interest in skating. I really miss it. The "flea hop" and Broglio/Freeman/Sharp was what got me addicted to skating to begin with.

[@Dugarr2001]

That was Bob? Wow, my memory must be getting worse!

[@MissLindsey91]

I have a question..at 5:43..who is in the BLUE brookpark skateland jacket? I know who he is, and I know he is wearing one of their jackets...but can't make out his face!

[@UTURN8888]

Being from Ohio..I am not familiar with that venue. May I suggest that you log on to SkatersLogForum...and ask about it. There are hundreds of Pa. skaters on that site. You may even find some posted pictures from Casino. Thanks for the response Bob. Js#

[@susanwaites2482]

My kids can't make a pimple on my behind

[@UTURN8888]

That's good to know, Woodrow

[@Music2Die4]

Don't know how Clemens turned out, but initially didn't impress me- Kept adding extra notes and measures to the music, messing up the timing. Also repeated the same harmony over and over again- Really got annoying. I opted to skate to Freeman tapes at the Rollerdrome. Tried the organ thing myself (copied your "Time Is Tight"), but saw no future with my work in Cleveland (software engineer), and went West for good. Took in Freeman at AZ Dbacks games- Too restrictive environment for him, IMO.

[@sharoncrawford7192]

We use to go roller skating as kids in the 60s. But they didn't play an organ. They played popular rock and pop music. I don't like the organ.