What if Vancouver’s rock and roll story started not just with a concert, but with a secret set of recordings hidden away for nearly 70 years? Thanks to local music historian Rob Frith, that’s exactly what’s happening. Frith recently made headlines uncovering an unreleased Beatles demo, but his newest find hits a little closer to home—the very first rock and roll recordings made in Vancouver back in 1956.

These legendary tapes come from none other than Jack Cullen, a Vancouver disc jockey with a giant record collection and a real knack for spotting talent. On April 16, 1956, Cullen recorded Vancouver’s first rock and roll band, Les Vogt and the Prowlers, live in the studio. They were named after Cullen’s popular “Owl Prowl” radio show, which gave them their first break. Fun fact: the band literally got on air while rehearsing—one of the band member’s girlfriends called the station, convincing Cullen to put them on over the phone. The public response was so enthusiastic that Cullen invited them into the studio and cut a live acetate recording of just one track.

Broadcaster and recording engineer Larry Hennessey explains these acetates were soft vinyl discs cut live, often wearing out after repeated playback. He’s been digitally transferring these old tapes and was amazed by the sound quality preserved on the Prowlers’ acetates. Tracks include covers of classic rock hits like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Tutti Frutti,” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll.” Some of these songs were never released before, giving fans a unique glimpse into Vancouver’s early rock roots.

Cullen wasn’t just about recordings. He promoted the city’s first full rock concert on June 27, 1956, at Kerrisdale Arena, featuring Bill Haley and His Comets—the real kings of early rock n’ roll. Vogt and the Prowlers opened the show, marking a huge moment in local music history. Vogt recalls how much excitement the Haley concert brought, but added with a laugh, “I was totally infatuated with Elvis, and once he came along, Bill Haley was history.”

An interesting quirk of these recordings is the size and play style of the acetates: one was a whopping 16-inch transcription disc that played from the inside out—a rare and fascinating piece of vinyl history.

These discoveries have sparked excitement from local collectors and historians alike and hint at even more treasures waiting to be uncovered. For fans of Canadian rock history, Vancouver’s first rock and roll recordings aren’t just old songs—they’re a time capsule capturing the birth of a music scene that still thrives today.

So next time you crank a classic tune, remember that Vancouver’s rock and roll journey started way back with Les Vogt and the Prowlers—thanks to the savvy ear of a DJ named Jack Cullen, who knew how to tune in to a new musical revolution.