The History of Westcoast Music

An archive of names and media of contemporary bands, musicians, venues, promoters, artists and technicians, from the 1800's up to and including 1999.

2024 celebrates our 22th year capturing British Columbia & Westcoast music history with our award winning website online since 2003. 

Featured Musician

Rolf Gjelsten

Rolf started playing the accordion at age 10, became interested in the cello at age 13, and played the trumpet in the Victoria High School band in Grade 11.
“There was no orchestra (at Vic High),” Rolf recalled. “So I just practiced (my music) in a free period and played the trumpet in the band.” During his Vic High years, Rolf was a member of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra under conductor Laszlo Gati.
Rolf’s parents raised their three children, Eleanor, Freida, and Rolf in their Hollywood Crescent home across from the Ross Bay cemetery. It was so unique in its floral elegance that it became a stop on tourist bus routes.
The Gilsteins (Rolf changed the spelling to better reflect ...

Latest Bands

The Centurions
from Nanaimo BC
circa 60s - circa 70s
Union
from Vancouver BC
circa 1980
The Mix
from Nanaimo BC
since circa 80s

Latest Musicians

David Kurtz
from Nanaimo BC
Rolf Gjelsten
from Victoria New Zealand
Oscar Lollie
from Chilliwack BC
circa 1924 - circa 2008

Latest Resources

Kev's Boogie Sound Centre
Resource
9843 2nd Avenue Sidney BC
since 80s
New York Theatre
Venue
since 1913
New Delhi Cabaret
Venue
since 1955

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