In the 1960s, a Canadian indie rock band called The Glass Cage, led by Norman Roth, performed at small venues and gained a loyal audience, eventually securing performances in larger cities. When Roth was 18, the band recorded a live show, but the recording was never released and was lost after the group disbanded shortly after. Recently, a thrift store find has allowed their music to be shared again, 58 years later.
In 2016, Marcus Pollard, a rock music promoter, bought a damaged, unlabeled vinyl record for four dollars at a thrift store. Despite its condition, he became captivated by the six songs on the record. Pollard devoted the next two years to finding the band members associated with the album. He shared his search on Facebook, stating he had found no leads until he posted a clip on a page dedicated to Canadian Artists Records and received a response.
The breakthrough came when Roth, now 77 and managing a warehouse, recognized the record and replied, expressing surprise that their lost music had turned up. This rekindled his connection to songs he hadn’t heard in over five decades.
After reconnecting Roth with his music, Pollard took more action. He consulted with the other band members and worked for eight years to officially release The Glass Cage’s music, which had been silent for years. Pollard used his industry contacts to repair the damaged record, digitally remaster the songs, create new album artwork, and compile a booklet that showcased the band’s influence on Nanaimo’s indie rock scene during the 1960s. The completed album, titled Where Did the Sunshine Go?, was launched on February 24, 2026.
Roth and his former bandmates expressed excitement about the album’s release but clarified that they were not seeking fame or glory. They simply hope that people can now enjoy their music. Roth mentioned that it’s about acknowledging their existence in music history.
Fans can listen to The Glass Cage’s music on Bandcamp and purchase the newly released vinyl. What do you think about bands getting a second chance?
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Source: Upworthy, by Erik Barnes