The Rollers

For the past three decades now these men and women have been gathering in one the liveliest neighborhood of Tôkyô, in front of the Yoyogi Park and spent their weekends dancing to rock’n’roll. Even before that, these youngsters used to come together from all parts of the city, back when the streets of Harajuku would be completely closed to traffic, and chant and dance through the weekend. Despite the disappearing of the Harajuku Hokoten, the rock’n’roll crews kept their tradition and just moved a few meters up the hill, to establish their new headquarters. Jeans or leather jackets? Polka dot or gingham dresses? Slick back or Pompadour? Yep, it’s all there, as if they had opened a time capsule straight out of the 50’s and 60’s. The Rollers (that’s their name) pride themselves on their longevity, having passed the stress of time and even thirty years later thrived to the point of having new members and becoming legends of the Yoyogi/Harajuku landscape. The pure energy they give to the enthralled audience, the style and coolness of their innumerable dance moves, the flair and panache of their outfits, everything about them captivates the public.

To many more years, I hope! Rock on, Rollers!