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So what did a 60’s kid imagine when hearing the word ‘dance’? A horde of tap dancing munchkins, of course. Or maybe, even the Eighty-One? But, alas, twas not to be. We were going to learn to waltz. For those of you who do not have such refined bleeding, I mean breeding, here’s a quick… Continue reading Cotillion–The Prep 1

I think I quickly mentioned the Byrds’ Younger Than Yesterday a while ago. Steve played it to me that first summer–’68. It was–literally–exciting music. Those tight vocals in harmony. Lyrics about things like space travel. The minor chords (descending in ‘Thoughts and Words’). Restless. The album almost begged for repeated listening. There was a lot… Continue reading Music Memories #2

Doug (‘Buttkicker’ was bastardizing nickname from his actual surname) was one of those ‘older kids’ that made you gulp when you saw him. Towering well over 6 feet, wavy hair, and a chin always begging for a shave. Unlike many of school’s so-called rebels, he did not have long hair. But he always wore jeans… Continue reading Doug Buttkicker

The end of a primitive rite. It’s not that serious, Chuck…… The fire truck was standing by. Someone’s mom took Dan and I to the high school football field to bear witness to the football pep rally the night before the homecoming game. Autumn was leaking in, muscling a chill once the sun set. Loose… Continue reading The Homecoming Bonfire (with Argent and Chuck Prophet)

Cue the theme from ‘Jaws’….. As September crawled, the mid-October Cotillion date glowed on the calender. Terror. Fear in copious quantities. Night Sweats. Growing dread over the Apocalypse . As you no doubt recall, the invite came in summer in a special little envelope with tissue paper and a reply envelope, like a wedding invite.… Continue reading Cotillion Looms….

Like a ‘where were you when…..’ From backrooms and attics, playing at my tempo. In the days before Easy Rider, Steppenwolf was just another band, a little louder and heavier. No one knew they had made a sixties anthem, until a few years later Dennis Hopper came along. Steve, of course, owns it. He says,… Continue reading Music Memories 1: Steppenwolf 1

The name of this song is ‘Sour Suite’ It still is important to me, but how many songs with ‘sour’ can you find? This ridiculously sour candy took over junior high like an infestation. I always imagined someone’s big brother conned a kid into trying one and in turn the kid (wanting to appear cool)… Continue reading Sour Candy (‘Sweetarts’)–WTF?

In those dark days before there were roads and clothing, a viewmaster was essential for all kids. Ta-da! There it is. The concept actually dates back to the mid-1800’s. Famous civil war photographer Matthew Brady churned out a lot of what was called ‘stereo cards’ (two pictures side by side, slightly off centered) that, when… Continue reading The Viewmaster: 60’s Amusement Pre-MTV

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the late 60s race riot in the city. A very dark chapter in our history. My memory of it was that it was actually started by cops arresting black people, after a bunch of white rednecks started a brawl. It wasn’t surprising giving the tenor of the… Continue reading The Race Riot–Death to my Hometown

A bit of the old ultra-violence, my Droogs. Child-on-teacher violence? HA! In those days, teachers straightened you out and you’d sit and take it. Parents shrugged. I’m not so foolish to think that this hadn’t gone on for years all over the country. And we were just middle class nudniks, not battle-hardened kids from the… Continue reading Classroom Violence a la 60s: Teachers on Students