RIP, Roller Derby Queen Ann Calvello

Ann Calvello, the original Roller Derby Queen and star of the San Francisco Bay Bombers, died Tuesday just one week after having been diagnosed with liver cancer. Calvello joined her first roller derby team in 1948, when she was just 18. Nicknamed "Banana Nose," she was known as roller derby's bad girl because of her splashy clothing and hair color that ranged from purple to green and even polka dots. That's her on the right.


Calvello skated in charity events well into her 60s. In 2001, she was the subject of a biographical documentary, "Demon of the Derby."

Speaking of Roller Derby, you may not be aware that Pittsburgh has its own Roller Derby team, the newly formed Steel City Derby Demons. You can read about them here. They had a fundraising potluck last week but I'm sorry to have missed it. I'm hoping to see them soon!