The Monarchs

A half-century ago, rock bands were popping up in every city in the nation. They all had the dream of finding that one special song that would earn them a spot on the national charts and an appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. All of them dreamed of fame and money, of becoming the next big thing in the music world, however briefly, but none of them dreamed of becoming an institution in the region where they lived and worked. Yet that's the story of the Monarchs, the band from Louisville, Kentucky that came, oh, so close to the big time but ended up with something every bit as enduring - and more endearing - than a hit record. The Monarchs earned the undying love of a city and a region where they are still going strong after 50 years of concerts, sock hops, dances and reunions. For awhile they packed their equipment in a black hearse. Another time they outshone Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. And then the time at a dim little roadhouse when... well, you have to read it. It's the story of a band, sure, but also of an ear in history when rock 'n' roll changed America forever.