“Sherrrrrry, Sherry Baby, won’t you come out tonight?”
Yes, it is a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons song but I have a personal connection with this song. I was serenaded outside my bedroom window by a young man and some of his friends whom he needed to sing backup. My Father let them sing their whole rendition of this song before he chased them on home. Dad had a twinkle in his eye so I know he thought it was romantic.
Dick Clark is known for his regular hosting of the radio show American Bandstand that was more like a dance contest. Clark invited teens to watch the radio show and of course, they danced. It aired in 1956 but seems like its a permanent thread in the fabric of our culture in America.
Dick Clark is known as the youngest teenager and you can see the evidence if you post photos of his age progression.
In this photo, Dick Clark still looks great.
Walk into stores like McDonald’s and old cafes across America and you will see her staring back from those hallowed walls, the legend, the woman, an American idol, Marilyn Monroe. I look up at her beauty and in those eyes I can see the hidden sadness that is not so well hidden. How did that look get into the eyes of someone so rich and so beautiful?
This is a beautiful “Weezer” Buddy Holly tribute, on the fiftieth anniversary of his tragic death in the plane crash.
Another giant and favorite singer of mine, sings a rendition for Buddy Holly. Give a big listen to John Lennon.
Yet another tribute to Buddy Holly to commemorate this rock n roll legendary giant, with Buddy singing True Love Ways.
And now for a video of Buddy Holly’s last concert at the Winter Dance Party at Clear Lake, Iowa in 1959. Thanks for the memories Buddy. You’re in my heart forever.
Oh Boy! One of Buddy Holly’s masterpieces at the Apollo.
The Winter Dance Party would not be complete without a little La Bamba. Have you seen the movie? It’s a tear jerker but a must see to understand the life of Richie Valens.
Three versions of the 1956 song. Roy Orbison is another one of my personal favorites. My son David can impersonate his voice perfectly.
This version is written by Leonard Lee and is a song by Shirley and Lee in 1956. I was not quite a year old when this came out, but the good times were rollin in my life.
This next version puts a new perspective for me on the Rolling Stones. Watch for yourself and compare then and now.
“We’re gonna stay here to soothe our soul, all night long”. I think this feeling came out of the atom bomb era and it was society’s quest for joy and pleasure in a fast developing technological world that was a bit intimidating.
I grew up with the music and culture of the fifties in my early years and I believe it had a profound effect on my development. I also believe the pre-cursor to the awakening of the sixties and seventies happened in the fifties which prepared our coming generation for great changing times where the youth stood up and took notice of the world around them.
As a young girl in elementary and junior high school, we had those fire and bomb drills where we hid under the desk with our hands over our heads. I never understand how that would protect me or anyone else from a close bomb blast. Those sirens still haunt me today. Every time I hear one I look around to see where its coming from and to notice if people are scampering to a bomb shelter somewhere nearby.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Mountain Spirit Productions is proud to announce the first new blog in a series of niche blogs to come. Welcome to the Magic Fifties. Yes folks! We’re going to talk about James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, rock and roll, drive in food restaurants, movies, dancing, sock hops, drag racing and fast cars, hairdos, poodle skirts and all those things that made the 1950′s so unique.
Why? Two of the administrators at Mountain Spirit Productions were born in the 1950′s so they thought it would be a “neato” idea. And because it is a popular era in America’s history, sort of the coming of age of the rock and roll generation. We will also stroll down some Main Streets in good ole America and visit places like Route 66. You might even convince us to take a road trip to follow this legendary several thousand miles of highway that still beats in the heart of America today.
It’s all about “57 Chevys and apple pie and the day the music died. Remember american pie (not to be confused with Don McCleans’ American Pie which was written in 1971) and American Graffitifrom 1962 ? We’re going to write some graffiti of the rock and roll era right here in the the Magic Fifties.
What would be the 1950′s equivalent to the song American Pieand the movie American Graffiti?
Join us for a fantastic blast to the past.
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About slang terms used in the fifties era in this post:
** Neato is a slang term from the fifties which would be like saying “groovy” in the sixties and seventies, or “cool” today. The word origin is much older than the fifties, however. Neato is an Ethiopian word that would equal the American word cool in meaning.
Ready for a little music from the fifties?
Well get up, and get ready to dance! Let’s rock n roll!
This one is for you Katy! Old Time Rock n Roll with Bob Seger and Elvis Presley. A dynamic two for one treat.
My mother was a life long Elvis Presley fan so he occupied our home for years while I was growing up. I loved Elvis and his music equally as much. My beautiful mother Suzanne Ellen DeLarre Colpetzer passed into the eternal world in November of 2002. She is greatly missed.
Now we’re gonna Rock Around the Clock. Are you ready?
Music by Bill Haley in 1956. Get a load of those awesome young girls dancing! They are talented.
Had enough rock n roll today yet? Not me. I’m just getting warmed up. I could use the exercise so turn it up and clear the floor. Here we go with more Elvis and some Jailhouse Rock.
Being a DJ in the Fifties was like being a movie star today. Music was highly important to the culture and it crossed a few generations. Here is a tribute to the music, dance and DJ’s of the era in a video for your pleasure All Night Long.
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The Magic Fifties
