On Vacation

I will be in Madrid, Spain this last week of November, 2007.
Stay tuned for more from the Expo Lounge as of Monday, December 3...

Rachel and Alain at Expo 67

Alain discovers Expo 67:



Rachel visits Expo 67:

Sesame Street Fever

Grover, Ernie, Bert and Cookie Monster strut their stuff for Sesame Street Fever.

By the late 1970's, Sesame Street had established itself as a forerunner in children's educational television.

In 1977, Sesame Street dipped into the disco craze with the release of the Sesame Street Fever album. This Saturday Night Fever parody featured our favorite Muppets dressed in full Bee Gees/John Travolta splendor, complete with Grover in a white disco suit!

Interesting to note is that original Bee Gee Robin Gibb appeared on 3 of the album's 6 tracks. According to the LP sleeve: "Robin Gibb appears courtesy of his children - Melissa and Spencer Gibb"...

Sesame Street Fever ended up being a surprise commercial success both in terms of chart performance and sales. It was the Sesame Street franchise's first charting album, peaking at #75 on Billboard's Pop Albums Chart. It was also certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The interior of the gatefold LP.

An ultra-rare 45 rpm single from Sesame Street Fever.



images: (1-2) goofspot.com
(3) unknown source

Radio-Canada Commemorates Expo 67

Radio-Canada, the french version of the CBC, have just released this magnificent 4-disc DVD set to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Expo.

This fab but french only DVD set includes:

Disc 1
• 24 National Pavilions
• 5 Canadian Pavilions
• 11 Theme Pavilions

Disc 2
• La Ronde
• Transportation at Expo 67
• Hostesses, Gastronomy, Fashion, etc.

Disc 3
• Opening Ceremonies
• Closing Ceremonies
• Expo 67's Great Moments
• Prologue, Impressions

Disc 4
• Interviews with Michel Jasmin and Yves Jasmin
• Extras: Dignitairies, Celebrities, Documents, etc.

image: cbcshop.ca

The Turcot Interchange

The Turcot Interchange under construction, 1966.

Throughout the 1960's, the city of Montreal was in a road building frenzy.

Sophisticated highway systems were put into place in anticipation of the millions of motor tourists expected to visit Montreal during Expo 67. Inaugurated in 1967, the Turcot Interchange was just one of the many mega-projects that Montreal undertook during this effervescent period.

The impressive spaghetti of overpasses and elevated ramps was built west of downtown Montreal, connecting highways 20, 720 and 15. Using 220,000 cubic yards of concrete and 21,000 tons of steel, the 4 level interchange's 4.5 miles of roads spanned over an area of 17 acres. It was built high above the ground (up to 100 feet at certain points) to accommodate ships passing through the Lachine Canal.

The interchange's original design also included groovy recessed lighting embedded in the walls of the ramps, rather than traditional lamp posts.

The newly-built Turcot Interchange was a stunning sight to behold. Along with Expo, it played a role in establishing Montreal as a world class city...

Northbound view of interchange near completion, 1967.

Westbound view of interchange near completion, 1967.

Downtown Montreal can be seen in the background of this 1966 view.

The recessed lighting of the completed Turcot Interchange, as seen in 1970.

The Mercier Bridge, at Turcot's westernmost point.



images: (1) bilan.usherbrooke.ca
(2-3-5) neath.wordpress.com
(4-6) personal collection

40,000 Visits!

Expo Lounge just reached the 40,000 visitor mark!

It is on this occasion that I'd like to thank each and every one of you that has come through the Expo Lounge turnstiles. Stay tuned for much more!!!