I'm Shady Seaweed
"America's Oldest Living Toddler"
Welcome to the 57th annual
New Year's Rockin' Eve
in the Shady!
The wrecking ball in Shady Square is about to drop, signalling the end of
the year 2019. As we look ahead to the coming year, let's view the past
with 2020 hindsight, specifically Dick Clark's long running music program
American Bandstand. Tonight the spotlight 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. In case you can't spare the time to watch every
video from beginning to end, I provided in bold red letters,
the year 2019. As we look ahead to the coming year, let's view the past
with 2020 hindsight, specifically Dick Clark's long running music program
American Bandstand. Tonight the spotlight 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. In case you can't spare the time to watch every
video from beginning to end, I provided in bold red letters,
the recommended start point for each video.
RETURN WITH US NOW
TO THE GLORY YEARS OF BANDSTAND.
TO THE GLORY YEARS OF BANDSTAND.
Observe the studio dancers of the 60s and 70s,
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 SUPREMES
...the sweetness, the innocence, the pure joy of young America.
I ask you, friend... where did it go?
"The Happening" - The Supremes
(1967 ep. of American Bandstand)
START PLAYING VIDEO
AT 1:41 MARK!
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE
1967 and the times they are a changin'. There's something in the air,
the revolution's here, and the Bandstand gang is ready to rock!
"Somebody To Love" - Jefferson Airplane
(1967 ep. of American Bandstand)
START PLAYING VIDEO
AT 16 SEC. MARK!
IRMA THOMAS
...dreamy old school R&B ballad. In that warm embrace,
time was on their side. It stood still.
"Anyone Who Knows What Love Is" - Irma Thomas
(1964 ep. of American Bandstand)
START PLAYING VIDEO
AT 1:30 MARK!
THE TURTLES
...genuine enthusiasm... Back then, being on television, exposed to
a national audience, was a big deal. In today's hi-tech world,
fame is just a click away. It's just not the same.
"She'd Rather Be With Me" The Turtles
(1967 ep. of American Bandstand)
START PLAYING VIDEO
AT 25 SEC. MARK!
JAN AND DEAN
On this 1968 episode, the kids danced to an oldie
from five years earlier... and really got into it!
"Surf City" - Jan And Dean
(1968 ep. of American Bandstand)
START PLAYING VIDEO
AT 1:39 MARK!
THE ASSOCIATION
The date of this broadcast was October 7, 1967.
Changing times, to be sure, but sweet harmony
and blissful slow dancing were still in style.
Changing times, to be sure, but sweet harmony
and blissful slow dancing were still in style.
"Never My Love" - The Association
(1967 ep. of American Bandstand)
START PLAYING VIDEO
AT 3:30 MARK!
JOHNNY RIVERS
1966 - a great year to be young. Please watch this video from 1:16 until at least
the 2 minute mark because the best part comes at 1:56 when a girl seated in
the audience realizes she's on camera and smiles sweetly. That moment
speaks volumes about the way we were. We had it all, my friend,
and somewhere along the line... we lost it.
"Poor Side Of Town" - Johnny Rivers
(1966 ep. of American Bandstand)
START PLAYING VIDEO
AT 1:16 MARK!
Submitted for your approval - exhibits A through G - seven scenes of teenagers
having good clean fun... unbridled joy... fresh faced exuberance. Simply put -
it was great to be young in the 60s! If you ever wondered why Boomers
say they wouldn't trade places with any other generation, the magic
moments on these videos are all the evidence you'll ever need.
having good clean fun... unbridled joy... fresh faced exuberance. Simply put -
it was great to be young in the 60s! If you ever wondered why Boomers
say they wouldn't trade places with 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!