New Penelope, New Music – From Folk and Blues to Rock

The Penelope, on Bishop Street, had become very popular, but this was becoming a problem! By the fall of 1965, Gary Eisenkraft was launching his The New Penelope coffeehouse on the bustling Stanley Street strip, north of Sainte-Catherine Street.

From an interview between Gary Eisenkraft and his sister Harriet Eisenkraft in 2002 about The Penelope’s popularity:

I was bringing in folk singers who were on the circuit [to The Penelope], on the weekend. Then we had lines around the block and the cops were coming in and raiding us, because they didn’t know what was going on. The owner was traumatized and he begged me to close it down. There was a guy running a club down the street, a place with a bar, and for a while there were two of us, but there was no money, so he asked me to take over the place, saying “as long as it doesn’t cost me, I won’t charge you.” That was the first New Penelope. We did exceedingly well. We stuck so many people in there.

Black and white photograph of five young members of the group Sidetrack seated outdoors in front of a sign that reads The New Penelope.

The Sidetrack in front of The New Penelope on Stanley Street, 1966

This wasn’t the only change afoot, in 1965. Led by bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, the “British Invasion” was well underway! By 1965, new rock bands inspired by British groups began to compete for public attention with folk and blues music that filled coffeehouses.

Black and white unfolded brochure with an event title on the left side and a description and schedule on the right side.

Concert flyer for “Bring Your Lunch Hopsville” at the Montreal Forum, 1966

Montreal was no exception, with seemingly countless new bands popping up. Concerts would sometimes run all day and evening and feature as many as twenty groups!

The former doorman at The New Penelope, Allan Youster, remembers the popular concerts at the Bonaventure Curling Club.

Listen to the audio clip with transcript: “Allan Youster on the Bonaventure Curling Club”.

The New Penelope, on Stanley Street, was in a sub-basement with a hand-painted sign out front. Gary set up the interior with the help of a few friends. They gave it a tavern-like feel with barrel stools, vintage wood mouldings, and checkered tablecloths. The regulars fondly recall it as being a very warm and intimate space.

Black and white photograph of a man with a black vest, checkered pants and long hair playing guitar on a small stage. Behind him, a man with a beret and sunglasses is playing the organ. Spectators are seen crowded along the left side of the image.

The Cavemen performing at The New Penelope on Stanley Street, 1966

It was also set up to be able to host rock bands. While Gary continued to book folk and blues acts, on Stanley Street, he also began presenting more rock music. Somewhat of an impresario, he took on the management of local band, The Beat Boys, and let them practice at The New Penelope, during the day, before opening time. Listen to The Beat Boys’ (later The Cavemen) member Richard “Bossman” Johnson talk about rehearsing there, alongside the Paul Butterfield Blues Band:

Listen to the audio clip with transcript: “Richard “Bossman” Johnson on rehearsing at The New Penelope”.

The Origins of The New Penelope: The First Steps of a Visionary The Sidetrack, the People’s Favorites