History
Ann Theresa Calvello is said to have been the only professional athlete to compete in 7 different decades (1940-2000). Her reputation in the sport of Roller Derby is one-of-a-kind. Her legendary name will always be associated with the true greats of the banked-track. Her dyed hair, gaudy make-up and stylish glasses oftentimes made her the focal-point of attention, and those watching her skate would commonly catch her in the middle of a temper, ready to unleash her fury on anybody in her way. Skating as a fan-favorite earlier in her career, she was turning face towards the 60’s, and soon became one of the most despised skaters on the track! Hearing the crowd readily boo her at the drop of a hat turned her seemingly more ruthless as time went by. Chant’s of “Banana-Nose” – a term referring to the numerous times she’d been hit in the nose - often followed, and Ann encouraged, provoked, and accepted it all! She was every bit the entertainer as she was the athlete. "I never did like being cheered," said Calvello in a phone interview once. "It was more fun having them boo me…”
Having a reputation for being possibly the most infamous “bad girl” of roller derby, she was quoted by reporters as being the skater that fans loved to hate. The “Queen of the Penalty Box,” the “Demon of the Derby” was all appropriate tags when describing Ann Calvello. Starting her skating career in 1949, she became a star on the Philly Panthers, and then became one of the original Bay Bombers in 1954. For another 50 years, it was truly rare to see her without her skates, ready and willing to hit the track. Even after the turn of the century, her career and life story has become the focus in numerous books, articles and even a biographical documentary film titled: “Demon of the Derby,” produced by Fireproof Productions, which earned many awards and mentions since its 2001 release. Her legend even became the topic of focus during an apperance on A&E's documentary "Rollergirls."
Today
As she stands alongside another Roller-Derby great, Dave Marez, you really have to sit back and think to yourself: the number of lives this woman has touched and the number of skaters this woman has inspired are just too high to place a tally on. She was never an ordinary woman. She is something special and she will forever live on in the hearts and the minds of all roller derby fans everywhere.
Ann Calvello, we tip our hats off to you.
· PRAISES ·
I too will be praying for Annie. Steve's mention of the tatoos really brings back some fond memories of Annie. Not a lot of people have seen that "cocky little leo on roller skates". I don't know if she got more tattoos after I left RD. Annie has always been a tough cookie, overcoming all adversities that have come her way. She certainally has a challenge but I am confident she will take it on with all her heart and soul and mind.
I will be praying for Annie along with all of her friends and family. I remember going on a tour PR stop with Ann in either New Hampshire or Maine where Annie blew the minds of some reporters by showing them her tattoo's and some of their locations. We laughed all the way back to the tour at the reaction she received. I didn't know her well but one didn't have to to appreciate the person Annie is, both on and off the track. I had the pleasure of watching her skate during her prime (1960's and 70's) and will always remember that trip and also the hair to match the uniform. I have much love, respect and admiration for Annie and wish her everything she truly deserves.
She really means a lot to all of us Roller Derby people. She has bravely faced a lot of trouble that's come her way and continues to inspire and teach us how to face these things. We'll pray for her.
Ann will always be one of the legendary stars of the banked track. She brought excitement and thrills into the lives of many from around the world. Nothing she says or does will ever change that. Although she was one of the biggest names in the history of the banked track, she has had a lot of struggles in her life, as evidenced in the documentary film, DEMON OF THE DERBY: The Ann Calvello Story. She was in an abusive marriage which she had the courage to end, could not mother her daughter while trying to make ends meet as a single Mom, and watched the game, of which she was its transcendent star, disintegrate around her. Over the past few years, she has survived a brain tumor and the loss of her right eye from ocular melanoma. She's been thru a lot. Calvello was a star of Roller Derby from the moment she stepped onto the banked track. Her transformation from 'white' to 'red' in the early 60s established Calvello as the game's most famous villainess (since Midge 'Toughie' Brasuhn) and she was the game's most enduring (and endearing) ambassador of good will. As big a star as Calvello was in Roller Derby, she was always plagued by bouts of insecurity and felt she was not appreciated by the sport or fans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Often, when someone is in constant pain, they push away those who truly love them, to spare them heartache and ease the burden for others. In all honesty, keeping the focus on oneself, to put all your energy into the struggle to stay alive, is all one should be required to undertake. That's what Ann is dealing with right now. And those who love Ann Calvello, know it. Please take a moment to drop Ann a card to let her know you love her and to let her know that, as she faces yet another struggle, you'll be there with her in mind and heart. I spoke with her this morning and, although in constant pain and facing a tremendous uphill battle, she's not ready to call off the jam... not yet anyway. May God bless, Ann Calvello. May He give her strength and faith to fight this latest illness and may she be able to fully experience the love and admiration of those who have ever been fortunate enough to be in the presence of her indomitable spirit.
THE LOVEABLE LIONESS:
Thinking of Ann Calvello
Our hero and patron derby saint, Ann Calvello, has recently been very
ill. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, especially during
these next few months. We will be adding a special PayPal account
donation button to txrd.com very soon so that her fans can help
support her in her time of need. We also have her address if you
would like to send her a card or note; we know she would cherish
that. Please contact info@txrd.com.
Ann is the original "meanest mama on skates," with punk flair before
punk existed. This Loveable Lioness loved being booed almost as much
as she loved kicking rear on the banked track. When she visit the
Lonestar Rollergirls last year as part of the Calvello Cup
Championship named in her honor, it was a true privilege to speak
with someone with more than six decades of skating under her belt and
the biggest heart on four wheels. You can see Ann's story in the
documentary, Demon of the Derby
(http://www.fireproofproductions.com/). We love you, Ann!
We the Roller Derby skaters and the so call Has-beens are a family. We do keep Annie in our thoughts and prayers. And we keep some great memories of the past times. The last time Annie, Bob Heins and Lou Sanchez were team mates, if I recall, 1967 in Hawaii and Australia on the Shamrocks. I Have to say, to skate on Annie's team, especially when we had a three skater match race, Annie, Heins and Sanchez had some great memories we gave to the fans. GOD BLESS ANNIE CALVELLO. Hope we meet at our has-beens reunion.
While you may or may not know this...Ann Calvello was the womens
captain of the Australian Thunderbirds, with Ronnie Rains on the team
The following account has been set up to send funds for Ann Calvello's
medical and living costs during her severe illness. This will not be
tax deductible. Please pass this information on to all you know who
care about Ann:
Please mail checks, payable to William Prieto, trustee for Ann Calvello
to Hannah Park, Manager
Downey Savings
1300 El Camino Real
San Bruno, CA 94066.
Please hurry!
