THE TEEN CLUB

In the early 1960’es, prosperity arrived in Gladsaxe, a municipality north of Copenhagen. With the new wealth a more dynamic ’youth culture’ emerged. Youngsters demanded more than bread and sports. In September of 1964, political youth organisations and sports clubs joined forces in order to earn money for their respective activities. A place for music, dance and fun was formed: Gladsaxe Teen Club.

The club was allowed by the Borough of Gladsaxe to rent a combined gym and aula at the Egegaard School (recently renamed Gladsaxe School). The hall had a permanent stage and was on Saturdays equipped with bars selling soft drinks and confectionery. A few tables, chairs and red lamps turned the place into a music club for the evening. For many in the audiences, it was something of a stairway to heaven, while others were left slightly dazed and confused.

Tickets were cheap in order to make it affordable to younger audiences within the age range of 15 to 22. The price for seeing the world premiere of The New Yardbirds/Led Zeppelin was 7 Danish kroner (about one US dollar). When Led Zeppelin returned in March 1969 the ticket was 10 Danish kroner (about 1.50 US dollar). Audiences at concerts numbering around 1,000 – 1,200 people were normal.

Amazingly, the Teen Club was able to attract several bands, which later became huge international names. Around 1966-69 these rock bands were referred to as ‘beat groups’ in the Danish media. Among them were also Ten Years After, Deep Purple, The Pretty Things, The Small Faces, The Nice and John Mayall’s Blues Breakers.

During a night at Gladsaxe Teen Club the international band would usually play a brief session of around 45 minutes. This would be followed by one or two Danish bands, who would play more than two hours to a dancing audience.

The Teen Club was active in the months from September till April. It had about 6,000 members from the entire Greater Copenhagen area. Each month the members received the in-house magazine Teen Club Nyt (News).

In terms of organisation, Gladsaxe Teen Club was small. The organising committee consisted of a handful of enthusiastic people. On a club evening, the committee was supported by up to 40 volunteers, typing membership cards, selling tickets and refreshments and doing the cleaning, when the show was over. Payment was meagre: two open sandwiches and a soft drink. None of those present were aware, that they witnessed a musical revolution in the making.

During a Saturday afternoon the volunteers would transform the gym hall/aula. A few tables, chairs, some marquees and red lamps turned the place into a music club for the evening. This Saturday afternoon the new Danish group Savage Rose came early to set up their gear. The singer, Annisette, is dancing with her German boyfriend, Rolf. Photo: Jorgen Angel.

The “box office” selling tickets at 7 Danish kroner (about one US dollar) Some times the entrance fee would be as high as 10 Danish kroner. Photo: Jorgen Angel.

Alvin Lee of Ten Years After the first time they played the Teen Club - it was April, 1968. In the background the marquees the volunteers put up every Saturday to make the gym hall look nicer. Photo: Jorgen Angel.

This was before crash barriers and other heavy security was invented. The very popular Danish group The Lollipops are on the stage. Photo: Jorgen Angel.

The volunteers cleaning up after an evening of music, dance and maybe a little kissing. Photo: Hans-Christian Gelf Larsen.

On September 7 2008 the old members celebrated Led Zeppelin’s fortieth birthday in the very same hall at the Egegaard School. Here is a video from that evening (it’s in Danish): www.teenclubs.dk/HRE_Video.html

Visit the home page for Gladsaxe Teen Club (mostly in Danish): www.teenclubs.dk