I dont think Shirley was ever the same after that inter-League match game where she suffered that TBI. I was always partial to Joanie Weston being the queen of the bank track. Roller Derby & Roller Games were two distinct different styles. I had a hard time adjusting to Roller Games after Roller Derby folded. I've been doing web searches trying to find Terri Lynch. I have a wild memory of a game where they took out all the guys & she had to skate as a guy. BTW, Happy Birthday Shirley Hardman!
Actually I would love to see a movie about both Weston and Cavello, since they we rivals for years… Somehow weave a story about the two of them… Quite frankly I prefer a documentary over a movie. Either way there would be pleny material on the two ladies of Roller Derby…..
Circa 1967-68 on KTLA. Dick Lane on the mike. Sponsored by Reliable Mortgage and a guy named Cal Worthington-before he had "his dog Spot". Of course at the historic Olympic Auditorium at 18th & Grand next to the 10 freeway,one block from Trade Tech. Olympic building is now a Korean-language church.
I have the 1966 – 1967 Roller Games Year Book Annual. It has photos of all the skaters in the league & their bios. Many teams featured, Los Angeles T-Birds, Texas Outlaws, Chicago Hawks, Hawaiian Warriors, and the Detroit Devils. If anyone would like to buy it, please email me.
I always somehow looked forward to Sunday nights for two whole hours on KDNL Channel 30 in St. Louis, after that was on it was a teen bowling show, but I can not remember its name.
I remember watching these games with my mom whom was a big big Thunderbirds fan. We watched tough Shirley Hardman go from the typical badass until she skated o the side of "good" and jointed the Thunderbirds. She was eventually found dead in her swimming pool fully clothed. Many fans still believe that she was murdered as she had many enemies. Most of the fights we see in these shows are all staged but people really did get physically hurt and held grudges in real life.
My late aunt Josie used to take my cousin Gilbert and I to see Roller Derby in El Monte California in 1959/60/I think 61. (we lived in La Puente) In the parking lot my cousin Gilbert and I met up with actor/commentator Dick lane! He was so friendly and nice to us kids. And a good-looking older man! My cousin said "Hi Dick" and Mr. Lane cheerfully said "HI kids!". Dick Lane was so cool! Our favorites were Terri Lynch, Julie Patrick, Honey Sanchez, Shirley Hardman (who the audience bugged) as well as Red Smart and Ralphy Valledares. When the games moved to L.A. we stopped attending. And that sucked! Red Smart and Ralphy were extremely athletic and knocked out the audience with the incredible antics! Ralphy used to jump over the Texas skaters! He was something else!
Oh what great, Great, GREAT memories!! I can still hear my mom and grandmother (both proper transplanted mid-west ladies) screaming and cussing at the top of their lungs on Sunday nights watching the games. Ah yes, growing up Angeleno. I wouldn't trade in growing up in this city for anything!
nothing better back in the day than kicking back with a brew 101 and watching wresting and roller derby and friday night fights with old dick lane calling the game
This rare 1967 game along with a 1967 game vs the Chicago Hawks, a 1968 game vs the Devils, and a 1964 game vs the Devils are all the known footage of the great Terri Lynch and Liz Hernandez skating. Wish more games survived.
Patsy Delgado was my favorite. I remember the T-Birds had a little person with a pennant wave them in sometimes. On a good night my parents let me stay up to watch Joe Pyne.
THank you for posting this. I grew up in a household environment that can only be described as what it was, a living H-E-L-L. This one hour of nonsense along with another hour of wrestling was the only outlet that I had and to this day I STILL treasure the relief that it provided.
I was the biggest fan of the Thunderbirds, when Shirley Hardman and Norma Rossner came to town, the Thunderbirds had to wide-awake. These lady’s were tough players and love the game. Such excitement to see them live.
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Does any one remember Punky Gradner?
Does anyone know what ever happened to Terri Lynch?
I dont think Shirley was ever the same after that inter-League match game where she suffered that TBI. I was always partial to Joanie Weston being the queen of the bank track. Roller Derby & Roller Games were two distinct different styles. I had a hard time adjusting to Roller Games after Roller Derby folded. I've been doing web searches trying to find Terri Lynch. I have a wild memory of a game where they took out all the guys & she had to skate as a guy. BTW, Happy Birthday Shirley Hardman!
Actually I would love to see a movie about both Weston and Cavello, since they we rivals for years… Somehow weave a story about the two of them… Quite frankly I prefer a documentary over a movie. Either way there would be pleny material on the two ladies of Roller Derby…..
We watched them in the early 70's and they were bad ass
Circa 1967-68 on KTLA. Dick Lane on the mike. Sponsored by Reliable Mortgage and a guy named Cal Worthington-before he had "his dog Spot". Of course at the historic Olympic Auditorium at 18th & Grand next to the 10 freeway,one block from Trade Tech. Olympic building is now a Korean-language church.
I have the 1966 – 1967 Roller Games Year Book Annual. It has photos of all the skaters in the league & their bios. Many teams featured, Los Angeles T-Birds, Texas Outlaws, Chicago Hawks, Hawaiian Warriors, and the Detroit Devils. If anyone would like to buy it, please email me.
Terri Lynch has pass away either 2014 or 2015 RIP Terri
The great days of the LA Thunderbirds! Terri Lynch, Liz Hernandez, Sally Ann Vega, Judy Sowinski, the greats of the T-Birds!
Sad to hear that some of my favorite skaters of the late 60's have passed away. Such great memories!
I always somehow looked forward to Sunday nights for two whole hours on KDNL Channel 30 in St. Louis, after that was on it was a teen bowling show, but I can not remember its name.
Can anyone explain to me the difference in styles between Roller Derby and Roller Games?
I remember watching these games with my mom whom was a big big Thunderbirds fan.
We watched tough Shirley Hardman go from the typical badass until she skated o the side of "good" and jointed the Thunderbirds. She was eventually found dead in her swimming pool fully clothed. Many fans still believe that she was murdered as she had many enemies.
Most of the fights we see in these shows are all staged but people really did get physically hurt and held grudges in real life.
My late aunt Josie used to take my cousin Gilbert and I to see Roller Derby in El Monte California in 1959/60/I think 61. (we lived in La Puente) In the parking lot my cousin Gilbert and I met up with actor/commentator Dick lane! He was so friendly and nice to us kids. And a good-looking older man! My cousin said "Hi Dick" and Mr. Lane cheerfully said "HI kids!". Dick Lane was so cool! Our favorites were Terri Lynch, Julie Patrick, Honey Sanchez, Shirley Hardman (who the audience bugged) as well as Red Smart and Ralphy Valledares. When the games moved to L.A. we stopped attending. And that sucked! Red Smart and Ralphy were extremely athletic and knocked out the audience with the incredible antics! Ralphy used to jump over the Texas skaters! He was something else!
Oh what great, Great, GREAT memories!! I can still hear my mom and grandmother (both proper transplanted mid-west ladies) screaming and cussing at the top of their lungs on Sunday nights watching the games. Ah yes, growing up Angeleno. I wouldn't trade in growing up in this city for anything!
love it
nothing better back in the day than kicking back with a brew 101 and watching wresting and roller derby and friday night fights with old dick lane calling the game
This rare 1967 game along with a 1967 game vs the Chicago Hawks, a 1968 game vs the Devils, and a 1964 game vs the Devils are all the known footage of the great Terri Lynch and Liz Hernandez skating. Wish more games survived.
Patsy Delgado was my favorite. I remember the T-Birds had a little person with a pennant wave them in sometimes. On a good night my parents let me stay up to watch Joe Pyne.
These girls could take some bumps, and this was before helmets being used!
THank you for posting this. I grew up in a household environment that can only be described as what it was, a living H-E-L-L. This one hour of nonsense along with another hour of wrestling was the only outlet that I had and to this day I STILL treasure the relief that it provided.
"Ha ha."
I was the biggest fan of the Thunderbirds, when Shirley Hardman and Norma Rossner came to town, the Thunderbirds had to wide-awake. These lady’s were tough players and love the game. Such excitement to see them live.