HI, I'M SHADY SEAWEED
"AMERICA'S OLDEST LIVING TODDLER"
WELCOMING
YOU TO THE
59th ANNUAL
NEW YEAR'S
ROCKIN' EVE
ROCKIN' EVE
IN THE SHADY!
The wrecking ball in Shady Square is about to drop, signalling the end of
the year 2021. As we look ahead to the coming year, let's view the past
with 20-20 hindsight as we go back to the glory years of Dick Clark's
long running music program American Bandstand. Tonight the spot-
light is not on the songs or artists who performed on the show, not
even on Dick Clark. Instead I ask that you focus your attention
the year 2021. As we look ahead to the coming year, let's view the past
with 20-20 hindsight as we go back to the glory years of Dick Clark's
long running music program American Bandstand. Tonight the spot-
light is not on the songs or artists who performed on the show, not
even on Dick Clark. Instead I ask that you focus your attention
on the teenagers who danced on Bandstand over the years.
Assuming that you don't have time to watch every video
from start to finish, I cued each one to the spot where,
in my opinion, the best dance sequence begins.
RETURN WITH US NOW TO
THE GOLDEN YEARS OF BANDSTAND.
THE GOLDEN YEARS OF BANDSTAND.
Observe the young studio dancers of the 1960s,
their body language, clothing styles and hairdos.
Note their attitude, how they conducted
themselves on the program.
their body language, clothing styles and hairdos.
Note their attitude, how they conducted
themselves on the program.
THE CRYSTALS
The Crystals song "Da Doo Ron Ron" was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich
and Phil Spector. Like "yada yada yada" on Seinfeld, the words "Da Doo Ron Ron"
were merely nonsense syllables used to fill gaps in the song until "real" lyrics
could be inserted. However Spector decided he liked the gibberish and
it was left in the song. The result was a top 3 hit for his girl group.
On January 4, 1964, when the following episode aired, American Bandstand
was still broadcasting from Philadelphia. In this clip, you will see the most
popular members of Bandstand's cast of studio dancers performing an
unusual move they invented, a maneuver that's too cool for school.
Watch as they repeatedly bump together in a stylish East Coast
variation of the Lindy Hop, a dance style that did not
follow the show out to the West Coast that year.
"Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)" - The Crystals
(May/June 1963, highest chart pos. #3 Hot 100/#4 Cash Box,
#5 R&B, dancers on Jan. 4, 1964, ep. of American Bandstand)
TIM TAM & THE TURN-ONS
The gang of regulars on the West Coast version of Bandstand had their own
dance styles. In this clip in particular, the dancing is very impressive because
the gang gets down, gets into it, and does a more energetic workout than
usual. Watch the moves as the kids groove to "Wait A Minute," a minor
the gang gets down, gets into it, and does a more energetic workout than
usual. Watch the moves as the kids groove to "Wait A Minute," a minor
hit by the Detroit area rock 'n' roll band Tim Tam And The Turn-Ons.
"Wait A Minute" - Tim Tam and the Turn-Ons
(Mar. 1966, highest chart pos. #76 Hot 100,
dancers on Feb. 12, 1966 ep. of Bandstand)
dancers on Feb. 12, 1966 ep. of Bandstand)
THE SUPREMES
(SHEBANG!)
Now here is a glimpse of another LA-based music show for teenagers.
Shebang, hosted by disc jockey and radio personality Casey Kasem,
aired from 1965 to 1968 on KTLA channel 5. In this rare video,
Kasem and the studio dancers, some of them regulars on
American Bandstand, celebrate the show's one year
anniversary. You will see Jewel Akens, the man
who had a hit with "The Birds And The Bees,"
autographing the Shebang banner, and a
blonde dancer at the 6:50 mark who
looks a lot like Goldie Hawn!
"Stop! In The Name Of Love" - The Supremes
(Mar./Apr. 1965, highest chart pos. #1 Hot 100
& Cash Box/#2 R&B, dancers on Mar. 16, 1966,
one year anniversary ep. of TV series Shebang)
THE BOX TOPS
Clothing and hair styles and dance steps changed considerably
as the early 60s yielded to the mid and late 60s. Notice how
as the early 60s yielded to the mid and late 60s. Notice how
the Bandstanders looked and danced in the fall of 1967.
"The Letter" - The Box Tops
(Sept./Oct. 1967, highest chart pos. #1 Hot 100 & Cash Box,
dancers on Oct. 21, 1967 ep. of American Bandstand)
THE 5TH DIMENSION
I grew up knowing "Go Where You Wanna Go" only as the 1965 song written
by John Phillips, recorded by The Mamas & The Papas and released as a single
and as a track on their 1966 debut studio album If You Can Believe Your Eyes
and Ears. Until recently I wasn't aware of the cover by The 5th Dimension
released in 1967 on their debut studio album Up, Up and Away. Watch
what the Bandstand studio dancers do with the song.
"Go Where You Wanna Go" - The 5th Dimension
(Feb./Mar. 1967, highest chart pos. #16 Hot 100 & Cash Box,
dancers on Feb. 4, 1967 Ep. of American Bandstand)
SPENCER DAVIS GROUP
More great dancing out on the West Coast can be witnessed in this
clip from an episode in early 1967 as the Bandstand teens do their
thing to "Gimme Some Lovin', a top 5 hit for the English rock band
The Spencer Davis Group featuring Steve Winwood on lead vocals.
"Gimme Some Lovin'" - Spencer Davis Group
(Feb./Mar. 1967, highest chart pos. #5 Cash Box/#7 Hot 100,
dancers on Feb. 4, 1967 ep. of American Bandstand)
dancers on Feb. 4, 1967 ep. of American Bandstand)
BOBBY VINTON
To close the show, a song and video that mark a pivotal point in time for
several reasons. It is one of the first episodes of American Bandstand
to be taped after the assassination of President Kennedy. It is one of
the last Bandstand shows to be taped in Philadelphia before the show
moved to LA. It also represents a moment when the pop music scene
was about to change radically and permanently. The song you are
about to hear, a sweet romantic 50s style ballad by pop crooner
Bobby Vinton, reached #1 on the chart the first week of 1964.
By the time this episode of Bandstand aired one week later on
January 11th, Bobby's ballad had been replaced at the top of the
chart by the rowdy and allegedly dirty ditty "Louie Louie" by the
garage rock band The Kingsment, and "I Want To Hold Your Hand"
by an English combo named The Beatles made it's first appearance
on the U.S. chart. Starting two weeks later and for the next 16 weeks,
The Beatles topped the U.S. chart with their refreshingly new and
different sounding recordings. The era of rock bands had begun,
rendering American teen idols obsolete. The times, they were
a changin'. There, I've said it again.
"There! I've Said It Again" - Bobby Vinton
(Dec. 1963/Jan. 1964, highest chart pos. #1 Hot 100 & Cash Box,
dancers on Jan. 11, 1964 ep. of American Bandstand)
dancers on Jan. 11, 1964 ep. of American Bandstand)
Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line?
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me, would we? Could we?
Submitted for your approval - exhibits A through G - seven scenes of
young people having good clean fun... unbridled joy... fresh faced
exuberance. Simply put - it was great to be alive in the 60s!
If you ever wondered why Boomers say they wouldn't
trade places with kids of any other generation, the
magic moments on these videos are all
the evidence you'll ever need.
young people having good clean fun... unbridled joy... fresh faced
exuberance. Simply put - it was great to be alive in the 60s!
If you ever wondered why Boomers say they wouldn't
trade places with kids of any other generation, the
magic moments on these videos are all
the evidence you'll ever need.
If I could turn back time
If I could find a way...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thanks for cueing those up for us, Shady! The 50s and 60s were good for dancing. Seems like by the 70s, dance moves were pretty boring. (unless, of course, you were on Soul Train!!).
ReplyDeleteHi, Kelly!
DeleteYou're back to your old ways, dear friend, claiming the Early Bird position, and I thank you. I'm happy to see your face in the place - Shady Square - as the ball drops and the party begins, ringing out the old and ringing in the new year with the gang from American Bandstand.
I'm still trying to learn the Funky Robot Penguin Chicken dance, but can't seem to get the hang of it. :) Yessum, the dancers on Bandstand and Shebang, the two shows featured in this yearender special, had it going on, but the Soul Train gang set the bar higher in the 70s. I also salute The Action Kids on Where the Action Is, the go-go dancers on Shivaree, the "yon teenagers on Jerry Blavat's Discophonic Scene and Hyski's fabulous crop of dancers on The Hy Lit Show.
Thanks again for coming and for your faithful friendship throughout 2021, dear friend Kelly. Happy new year to you and my good buddy Pat!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt kids were more wholesome and happy in the 60s. You'd think the farthest would be from that truth with no modern conveniences and modest family incomes but truly kids of the 60s were content. I'm a late era baby boomer but I enjoyed much of the same feelings as a young child in the 60s and throughout the 70s. People were different and life in general was simple. It really was a good era for good things like music. Thanks for sharing these popular songs. I hope 2022 is filled with good health, much happiness, and lots of love dear friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteI'm happy to see you, dear friend! Thanks for coming over to Rock, Roll and Remember the teenage dancers on American Bandstand as we kiss another year goodbye.
Yessum, I know that boomers are often accused of viewing the past and their youth through Rose-Colored Glasses, but I lived through the 60s and can testify that it truly was a great time to be a young person. We were not tied to electronic devices 24 hours a day. We spent more time outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine, playing and exercising the old school way. We made do with less and, by and large, we were happy. The images in these videos show life as it once was and probably, sadly, will never be again. Thank goodness we have our music and our fond memories.
Cathy, what a great and loyal friend you have been again this past year. Thank you! I wish you and DH and your entire family health and happiness as we turn the page and start another year. I'll see you back here on New Year's Day as prepare to find out what 2022 has in store. Thank you again and bless you, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
DeleteI think most people prefer to reflect on the good instead of the bad in their lives. I understand early that times were tough for my folks to make ends meet but I don't recall ever feeling deprived. Isn't that funny? Like you, U spent my waking hours outdoors with fun activities. The only time I spent time inside was when the weather didn't permit. I recall one summer it rained really heavy all day. To pass the time, my two best friends and I created a play recording our voices on a cassette tape recorder. I liked that so much, I must have asked my folks for a recorder and I got a small reel to reel type for Christmas. I was a little disappointed initially because it wasn't simple to operate at first but I learned. After I got older, I figured Daddy must have traded something for the recorder and that's how I came to own it. A lot of the things I had was second-hands. That never bothered me because it was new-to-me. :)
Thanks for the well wishes for the new year. Your friendship has meant a lot to me, as well. Enjoy these last few days of 2021, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for returning to chat as the year 2021 winds to a close, dear friend!
I always appreciate friends like you sharing memories of your youth and the lessons learned. My mother grew up during The Great Depression and needed to do things like put cereal box tops in her shoes to cover the holes. Yet, they were a happy family and thankful for what they had. In fact, she told me her folks shared food and clothing with hobos that regularly came to their door asking for handouts.
When you think about the countless generations of humans that lived relatively simple lives and spent ample time outdoors engaging in vigorous physical activity and playing simple low-tech and no-tech games, it's sad to realize how differently modern generations spent most of their time, tied as they are to social media and electronic games all day every day. That said, you and I would never have met had it not been for the advancements in technology. I wouldn't have wanted to miss the opportunity to know you. Think of all the mewsic and fun we have shared with each other over the last seven years.
I wish you and your family many blessings in the coming year, dear friend Cathy!
Happy New Year Shady! You know I would love this post. I'm always checking out the fashions and hairdos. I was 7 when the 60's started but with older brothers who liked music I remember the tunes and fashions as my older brother started dating and dancing. The West coast was a bit looser with styles and hairdos and even though these were black and white you could tell the fashions were more colorful. The dresses slowly got shorter. I remember turning the waistbands of my skirts up so they would be shorter and the school principle making us kneel down to see if our hemlines hit the floor! The dance moves got looser and a bit crazier but still lots of clean cut and short hair on the guys as the gals hair got straighter and longer...yep, I tried ironing my hair to make it straight! The assassination of President Kennedy took that safe, Camelot feeling away in America and the Vietnam war did the same. The definite mood of the nation and the subsequent fashion and hairdo changes were more like a revolution for youth to take control of their lives and do things their way. Maybe that's a bit dramatic conclusion but it's how I see it looking back. Yep, I'm glad I grew up in the 60's and enjoyed the music and fashions and the freedoms even though my folks kept a good handle on how we conducted ourselves in those days. I hope 2022 is a better year for us Shady. I'm praying for your family as you go through some tough times with family member's health issues. We'll slide into another blog year my friend and I hope to learn more and more about music and enjoy the good times had here at my virtual Shady Dell!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteThanks for joining the end of the year fun, dear friend!
This has to be the greatest comment you have ever written, YaYa. I am typing through teary eyes after reading it. It is so complete that I hardly have anything new to add. It's such a pleasure to know someone like you who lived through the time period that inspires so many of my posts. Being closer to my age than most other friends, I can tell that you get it, that you understand where I'm coming from when I express a sentimental attachment to those great "wonder years" of the 1960s. I agree with your observations all the way down through your paragraph.
It always surprises me to be reminded that you, as a young Kathleen, had a yearning to adopt the clothing and hair styles sported by trend setting teenagers like the Bandstand Bunch, but were monitored and held in check to a certain extent by school administrators and your folks. They did a fine job of guiding you. Your youth maintained a wholesome balance, and you grew from daughter and sister into an outstanding mother, grandmother and American citizen.
Thanks again for dropping by and for taking time to compose such a meaningful comment to bring the difficult, challenging year 2021 to a close. Happy new year to you and your entire wonderful family, dear friend YaYa!
Lovely posts. Will surely read more of your content!
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming all the way over from the Philippines, Davey. I appreciate your compliment and hope you'll make Shady's Place your new home away from home. Happy new year to you!
DeleteDanger, Will Robinson! Danger, Will Robinson!
DeleteYeah, I figured as much, Kirk, but I didn't want to risk offending someone who might be sincere. Besides, a comment is a comment. I'll take 'em anyway I can get 'em. :) Thanks for having my back, good buddy.
DeleteOh my friend you take me back. I can remember watching these shows as a pre-teen and wishing I could be there. I have two sisters who are 10 and 12 years older than I and they dressed like those kids. I remember watching one of them get ready to go to her prom. And New Year's Eve will never be the same without good old Dick Clark, IMO.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and Mrs. Shady a wonderful New Year. We'll be watching the ball drop at the stroke of midnight but I don't think we'll be doing much dancing.
Hi, Janet!
DeleteThanks for taking time out of your busy holiday schedule to visit Shady's Place, dear friend! Shady Seaweed welcomes you to the 59th annual New Year's Rockin' Eve in the Shady!
Yessum, if you have two older sisters, then surely they followed Bandstand from east coast to west coast and took notes on the changing hairdos and clothes through the years. My cousin Paula in York is responsible for introducing me to American Bandstand circa 1959. My family was visiting hers one day, and Paula took me to her room, turned on the TV and we watched Bandstand together. I was instantly hooked on the sights and sounds of the show, and my lifelong interest in popular music was given a big boost that day. Shortly thereafter, I started collecting and memorizing the top 40 surveys issued by our local radio station, and my passion for music trivia was ignited.
I agree that New Year's Eve just isn't the same since Dick Clark died. Indeed, it was hard to watch him struggle through the last few years as host following his stroke. It's jarring to see him in these vintage clips looking so youthful and sounding so articulate.
Janet, I've expressed this before, but I will do it again. I am grateful for your friendship and support in 2021. We did a lot of teaching and learning on each other's sites. The rewards are many. Thank you again for sticking with me, dear friend. Please smooch my buddy Benny for me at the stroke of midnight. I wish you and your family a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous new year!
Shady!
ReplyDeleteI have my playlist for NYE! "The Letter," "Gimme Some of Your Loving," The Fifth Dimension and Bobby Vinton are some of my favourites! Mom and I saw a 60's cover band in 2009 and they played all these songs. "The Letter" is my ultimate favourite.
Ah, New Year's Eve 1964, my mom was 4 months old and my dad was 9 years old. I'm cat sitting for the week, but I will stop home tomorrow for a little bit. I'll have to show dad and see if he stayed up to watch Dick Clark's New Year's Eve that year. At 9, it might be a maybe.
I hope that you have a rockin' New Year's Eve!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI'm glad you made it over in time to watch the wrecking ball drop, dear friend. Thanks for being here!
I looked it up and discovered that ABC's New Year's Rockin' Eve did not start airing until Dec. 31, 1972. Dick Clark did not assume the duties of hosting the program until 1975, but that's AOK, because time warps are part of the fun here at Shady's Place.
I'm delighted that some of your favorite songs are included in this batch of vids showing the studio dancers on American Bandstand. It must have been exciting for you and your mom to hear a good cover band do these songs. Yessum, ask your dad if he watched Bandstand and/or those New Year's Rockin' Eve telecasts from Times Square. I'd love to know what if anything he remembers.
Thanks for hanging in there with me through 2021, dear friend JM. I wish you and your family a great year ahead and hope that Tommy is an integral part of it. Take care, Jessica, and I'll see you "next year"!
Hi Shady,
DeleteTime warps seem to be common my blog too! Ah, aren't they fun!?
Tommy tested negative for COVID and he's feeling okay. He should be coming over to Terry's tomorrow night and will stay until 1/1. I will have to follow up with him today. I'll play this for us on New Year's Eve. I bought some things for us to celebrate, so this playlist can be part of it.
Thank you dear friend! I'm glad you hung out with me throughout 2021 as well. I wish you and yours a great year ahead! See you "next year"!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteGreat news about Tommy! Thanks for telling me. Now you guys have the green light to spend New Year's Eve together. It would have been a big disappointment for both of you otherwise, plus it would have been worrisome if he had tested positive.
I am honored to know that you plan to make Shady Seaweed's soundtrack your play list tamale night. I hope you have a wonderful celebration and take more classic pictures for your Box and annual scrapbook.
Take care and I'll see you as 2022 gets underway. I've got my traditional two-parter with posts coming closer together, on the 1st and the 5th, so mark your new calendar.
Happy new year, JM!
Hi Shady!
DeleteWe're both so excited! I'll be taking photos, which won't be going on Facebook but the Box and annual scrapbook. I'm finding Facebook isn't fun anymore and now my manager from my full-time job is friends with me, so I don't want to post a lot anymore. Tommy isn't also a fan of being tagged because people are nosy. He's right.
I'm also going to create another list too. Mom gave me a bluetooth speaker and if rain holds off on 1/1, we can play it as we skate on Saturday.
Calendar is marked! Happy New Year, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteSeems like you got the jump on 2022 by implementing some of your new year resolutions ahead of time, dear friend. In my humble opinion, you are making wise new choices.
I hope the weatherman (or woman) cooperates, giving you a cold and clear day for skating tamale. Enjoy the tuneage while you and Tommy circle the rink.
Happy New Year and see you in '22, dear friend JM!
The times may have been a-changin', but the dress codes for male dancers on American Bandstand-type shows seems to have lagged some. Look at how those young men's neckties are refusing to stay in one place, but instead flapping to the raucous music being played! I get the sense that Dick Clark was fighting a rearguard action against what to him must have seemed like the more anarchist factions of youth culture. I wonder what year those ties finally came off. They were gone by 1973, I'm sure of that.
ReplyDeleteCasey Kasem. If you were of the Saturday morning-viewing age in 1969 and beyond, listen carefully. That's the voice of Shaggy on Scooby-Do, Where Are You?
I played that video twice trying to figure out if that was really Goldie Hawn or not. I decided it's not, but if I'm wrong and it is her, she must have got her haircut soon after. Remember, she wore it short on Laugh-In.
Now for this musical interlude:
"Oh, oh moja droga jacie kocham
Means that I love you so
Moja droga jacie kocham
More than you'll ever know
Kocham ciebie calem serce
Love you with all my heart
Return to me and always be
My melody of love"
That's MY earliest memory of Bobby Vinton. You'll recall he once had a Polishesque variety show, which I'm sure got good ratings in my hometown of Cleveland, where kielbasa and perogies are as American as hot dogs and apple pie. Seriously, though, I didn't find out Vinton had been a teen idol until later on.
Finally, you end it with Barbra Streisand. I remember coming across a Rolling Stone interview with her online, but it wasn't intended for online as it was dated 1970. In the interview, Babs complains that everybody thinks she's older than Bob Dylan, when in fact she was younger. I just checked. She's STILL younger than Dylan. Imagine that.
That's all I got. Happy New Year (unless you have a post before then, in which case, never mind.)
Hi Kirk!
DeleteThanks for showing up in the sea of faces in Shady Square, good buddy. You can feel the excitement in the air as the wrecking ball drops and you and Jenny M prepare to make a spectacle of yourselves smooching on camera before a national audience.
If you go to the YouTube channel "You Can Dance To It," the channel from which I pulled these videos, and read the comments beneath some of the late 60s videos, you can probably find out exactly when the dress code relaxed and guys were no longer required to wear jackets and ties. I think it was in 1969. A few of the actual Bandstand dancers regularly comment on that channel, including "Dancer Don" and Peggy Waggoner, and they share a wealth of info about the show, including behind the scenes tidbits. It's fascinating reading.
Thanks for the Casey Kasem trivia. I've got some for you, good buddy. Jewel Akens, the guy standing with Casey at the start of the clip who is shown signing the Shebang banner midway through the Supremes song, is, of course, the man who had a hit with "The Birds And The Bees." I can boast that I met and chatted with Jewel for a couple of hours in 1984 when he was part of an oldies but goodies show I helped produce. Jewel, along with other singing stars of the 50s and 60s, were planted in the audience and called up on stage at a point of the show to surprise the crowd. That afternoon, before the show, I sat in the empty auditorium next to Jewel discussing his career. Together we watched the classic girl group The Chiffons rehearse their songs on stage. For me, the whole event was surreal, having the chance to meet and work with some of my idols. I'm not worthy!
I too doubt that is Goldie Hahn, but a bunch of the people that commented on that upload mentioned how much it looks like her. Great stuff there about Bobby Vinton, Kirk! I remember "My Melody of Love" and I occasionally watched his TV show. Thanks for the interesting factoid about The Barbra.
That's all I got for this year, Kirk. Thank you for keeping me on my toes throughout 2021. Your loyal friendship and support is greatly appreciated, as are your well reasoned and researched comments (including the all-important bonus comments).
As I'm sure you know and agree, the reaper has been extra busy this year, the latest to go being Democratic leader Harry Reid and sportscasting legend John Madden.
Thanks again for being part of Shady's Place, good buddy Kirk. I have a New Year's two-parter coming up with posts running close together on Jan 1 and Jan 5. Hope to see you then. Enjoy the rest of your week and year!
Hello Mr. Shady and hope you had a nice Christmas. We did and it was just so nice. I enjoyed watching all the dancing and how they each tried to make sure they got in The camera. You can see the change in dancing as the years go by as well as the outfits. I do believe that is Goldie Hawn who acts very unique to the other gals and just laughs right out of camera range. Oh I wish I could dance up a storm for New Year’s..maybe I will if I can. Loved the music and I wonder where these guys and gals ended up?
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for attending this year's New Year's Eve bash, dear friend! Yessum, Mrs. Shady and I did have a nice Christmas. Thank you! I'm delighted that you and your hubby were restored to good health in time for the holidays and that you were in good spirits as well.
How about that first video, shot in Philadelphia in late 1963 shortly after the JFK assassination and aired Jan. 4, 1964? As you saw, it shows the Philly Bandstand "in" crowd doing that unusual bump dance. In their comments on that YouTube channel, people on the West Coast in particular turned thumbs down on that style of dancing, but I think the maneuver is too cool for school. As you recall, around 20 years later, young people were "bumping booties" (a song lyric from "Shade Your Groove Thing") on the dance floor to songs like "Ain't Gonna Bump No More With No Big Fat Woman," only they weren't touch dancing. Anyhow, the move was considered way cool.
So you think that might have been a pre-Laugh-in Goldie in that clip? You will find people who agree with you and some that will and disagree in the comments beneath that video on YouTube. In hundreds of comments on these and other videos of Bandstand Dancers, people have reminded us that many of the young men we see in these videos went off to fight in the Vietnam War, and some never came back. Peggy Waggoner, the girl-next-door brunette shown in many of the mid 60s videos on this Y/T channel, went on to become a sound editor on Hollywood movie productions. Comments I have read on that channel report the sad news that quite a few of the young men and women seen in these old clips are no longer with us.
Thank you again for dropping by, dear friend BB. I also thank you for your loyal friendship and support throughout the challenging year 2021. Let's hope for a kinder and gentler 2022!
Sorry for not reading this sooner...been in bad pain, just the regular though so nothing new. You are right! I forgot about the sad events..the war and how many did not return. The ones who did return probably look at their clean-cut images here and think that it was another person. Sad to think they are no longer here but at least we can enjoy their young faces.
DeleteThank you, BB. I'm just now finding this comment and appreciate your thoughts as always.
DeleteI recognized all of those. I used to watch American Band Stand and watched New Year's Rockin' Eve with Dick Clark every year. It's just not the same on New Year's without him.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I found you this year and am loving your posts. Thanks so much for following me on my blog and finding something to like about my crazy Sunday posts. Looking forward to reading more from you next year.
Hi, Mary!
DeleteThanks for making it over for the annual ball drop, dear friend!
How kind, these remarks and generous compliments of yours, dear Mary! I am delighted to discover that you and I like many of the same things, and that you were exposed to a surprisingly large amount of the material I present, more than others who are older. I and thankful that we crossed paths and that you decided to roll the Vegas dice and follow Shady's Place. I think you'll agree that it is paying big friendship dividends for both of us.
Yessum, let's keep this good thing going as we roll into 2022. I hope you and your daughter and my buddy Falcor have a safe and peaceful New Year's Eve and I wish you all the best in 2022. Take care, dear friend Mary, and I'll see you back here next year!
Hi Shady Seaweed. Hope I'm not too late. This is some pretty good stuff!
ReplyDeleteI loved Casey Kasem and listened to his radio show on Sundays since the 1980's. Even with his sad passing, I still listen to the program now on Sundays. He was a great DJ and handsome. I like the celebration they gave for Shebang, and the surprise visit from Dick Clark. That had to be pretty exciting! I though I saw Don Grady from "My Three Sons" standing next to Casey during that interview.
The Crystals "Da Doo Ron Ron" was definitely a hit for us girls in my area. I always enjoyed watching the Bandstand dancers. We knew some of their names, but I can't remember them anymore.
"The Letter" was so popular, it doesn't seem as though it was so long ago The Boxtops jumped into the fire with this hit. The dancers did a good job keeping up with this one, and I gotta say, I still like the hairstyles!
"Go Where You Wanna Go" is a lovely arranged upbeat song. I liked it by the Mamas and Papas, but The 5th Dimension gave it an extra boost in dynamics. Either way, the song is tops on my list.
You can't go wrong with The Spencer Davis group! "Gimme Some Lovin'" truly rocks! It was played in all of the dance clubs in the later 60's. I'm here to tell you...if this one doesn't get you going with the superb beat, gritty vocals, and lyrics, you had best hang it up!
Shady, I hope I made it in time for the ball to drop! I wouldn't have wanted to miss this for the end of the year! I hope you are doing well and looking forward to a great 2022! I have my blackeye peas on the stove for later tonight, and they are looking pretty wicked! They are Paula Deen's recipe, and you can bet they are killer! Happy New Year, dear Shady!
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteBy golly, I'm delighted to see you, dear friend! Thank you very much for dropping by just in time to see the ball drop as another "stellar" year winds to a close.
I'm happy that you are one of the friends who remembers Casey Kasem. Whenever I think of Casey, I recall listening to his syndicated radio show and watching his goofy horror movie The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant. I don't think his Bandstand style show Shebang was available in my viewing area, so I never saw it until clips started turning up on YouTube the last couple of years. Based on Casey's awkward introduction of that Supremes song, I get the impression he flew by the seat of his pants and was kinda lost much of the time, but for me that adds to the charm and spontaneity of a show like his. Goodness, Casey will soon be dead and gone eight years. Yessum, it was nice of you to skip back to the beginning of that long segment where you saw Don Grady. Don was apparently on that episode of Shebang with his sunshine pop band Yellow Balloon. In 2022 it will be ten years since Don passed away. As I told Kirk (above), the guy signing the banner is singer Jewel Akens whom I met and chatted with at length in 1984 when he was part of an oldies show I helped produce.
How about that crazy bump dancing in the Crystals video? I love to watch it. Yessum, The Box Tops made a huge splash with "The Letter." An international chart-topping hit, "The Letter" made Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll, and the single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Yessum, I really like both successful recordings of "Go Where You Wanna Go." It's a great song that's indicative of the time period. Yessum, "Gimme Some Lovin'" was a standout sound that was popular at the Shady Dell, a song that signaled a shift away from dreamy doo-wop and sweet soul ballads to the rock band sound. A version of "Gimme Some Lovin'" by a PA regional band called The Jordan Brothers is way cool and was an even bigger Jukebox Giant at the Dell.
I can smell those blackeye peas of yours all the way across the Gulf. I'm gonna hop in a boat and head over there! Suzanne, thank you very much for joining the end of year fun. My New Year's Eve party wouldn't have been complete without you. Let us hope for better times ahead in 2024. I wish you and Scootie a safe and happy new year, dear friend Suzanne, and hope you'll come back and visit me again soon!