Joan Elliott (Euans)

Richard Maurer

Joan, that's great that we were both fans of "You Were on My Mind".  I first heard the song in the recordings of Ian and Sylvia.  I was a big fan of Ian and Sylvia and I really liked most of their songs.  The We Five changed the song quite a bit to make it more folk rock, and it was still great and earned them a lot of radio play.

When I was a freshman at UC Irvine, I lived in a dorm next to the room of guy who was a great banjo player.  He played at the Topanga Canyon Banjo Contest and as I recall, he did very well in the contest.   He was also a good guitar player and often had his very nice Martin D28 in his room.  Everyone in that area of the dorm was a folk music fan/nut and that time in the dorm certainly strengthened my interest in folk music and in playing the guitar.  Of course, life and jobs would intercede rather soon after college and I didn't play the guitar for long time.

Richard Maurer

Greg, yes - Dick Dale, "King of the Surf Guitar".  I remember in junior high school when "Let's Go Trippin" was the hot song.  It is often considered to be the first surf guitar recording.  Dick Dale played these amazing, rapid single note, staccato lines.  I don't know how he did it at all, much less in such a controlled manner.  So back from the ancient vaults (well actually YouTube), his signature song, "Misirlou".

Mitch Wise

Really great memories, thanks Richard, Joan and Gregg.   Seems like a lifetime ago but the songs came right back and loads of memories seeing, hering these acts.

Joan Elliott (Euans)

Richard Maurer

Yes all of the wanna-be Gene Krupa types were surely inspired by "Wipe Out".  And the drum solo at the beginning of the song made it stand out from the rest of pack.  Of course the Surfaris were another southern California band and "Wipe Out" was their big hit in the early 1960s.  Interesting how many instrumental songs were popular at that time.  I'm not sure how well the maniacal laugh at the beginning of "Wipe Out" stands up to the test of time.  In any case, to refresh your memory (unfortunately no video of the band with this one).

Richard Maurer

Sad to report that as we have been reliving our memories of Dick Dale and his music, he died Saturday, March 16, 2019.  Reported here:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dick-dale-surf-guitar-king-dead-obituary-809294/

Michael Elliott

Wow, great stuff you guys.  You Were on My Mind is such a great song, perfect blend of words and music.  Funny how this music stays in our consciousness for over half a century and always sounds fresh.  Some of you may remember another great guy and girl group, the Australian band The Seekers who sang I'll Never Find Another You and A World of Our Own.  

Miserlou is a truly fantastic guitar piece originating from an old Greek folk tune.  Surf music was indeed the anthem of our youth in the Southern California beach culture which formed the backdrop of those years.

Greg Cook

Richard, thanks for the RIP for Dick Dale. Didn't see it until today's paper (Yes I still read the paper!).

My memory is getting so bad I can plan my own surprise party but I seem to remember a time at Savanna where we voted on our favorite songs and results got passed out each week. Off mimeograph machines I imagine.

Anyone else remember those or do I have to order Prevagen on Amazon?

Joan Elliott (Euans)

Dave Budgett

HI there.

Maybe you guys forgot about the song in 1959, by franke avalon VENUS.

He looks yet and is alife and singing the song, among others he performed

dave budgett

Richard Maurer

Yes, there are lots of favorite songs.  The Seekers, Glen Yarborough and Frankie Avalon were all very popular artists with big hits during our junior high and high school years.  I think that during that time, most of us managed to listen to AM radio and watch TV shows featuring current popular music.  So we tend to share a history of enjoying a rather large body of popular music.  As Michael suggests, we can often instantly recognize the melodies and lyrics of our favorites from long ago.  It is fun to remember old songs, anybody can play this game.  So bring on your favorite old hits.  To keep the musical memories rolling, here is another song by a folk rock group, the Mamas and the Papas.

Dave Budgett

Dave Budgett

In those days (if you can call them that) not to long after the song came out, venus was caled another name.

Can you gess the word?

Michael Elliott

Aphrodite?

Doug Bell

Wasn't that your nickname at Savanna?

Gordon Reed

I'm afraid my music prefernces in that era were very different. Country Joe wrote this in 1965 but this is his Woodstock performance of the Fixin to Die Rag in 1969
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dATyZBEeDJ4

There is also the Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire in 1965

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfZVu0alU0I
 

Jerry Labuda

Once again it's time for our monthly breakfasts at Keno's restaurant at 2661 LaPalma on Tuesday March 26th at 9:30 AM. Come on down and see your old classmates, the food is good too.

Kathleen Daulton (Dacey)

Hello Classmates.  I know some of you will be in town to play in Jerry Labuda's charity golf event on April 8th.  If anyone (not just golfers or duffers) is interested in a get together to "piggy back" on this event then please join us on Tuesday, April 9 at 11:30 at The Olive Garden in Irvine, 3755 Alton Parkway.  I hope to see many of you there! 

Greg Cook

Great time playing golf with Doug Bell and Jerry Labuda at the Father Kolbe Charity Tournament. We didn't win but spent a few hours swearing at our golf games and reminiscing.

Next year's tournament is scheduled for April 20, let's have a real Rebel presence.

Jerry Labuda

Had a great time too. Thanks to you and Doug for golfing with me and supporting a great cause. Kolbe charities will be sending the "Class of 1965 Legacy Fund" a check for $200 for our efforts. It would be great to have more of our classmates golf with us next year. Thanks again.

Jerry Labuda

Here is a photo from the luncheon at Olive Garden hosted by Kathleen Daulton on April 9th. Had a great time. Thanks for planning the event Kathleen.  More to come?

Top row from left to right: Jerry Labuda, Bob McKinnon, Dave Mathias, Karen Riegle, Doug Bell, Barbara Larsen, Keith Bird, Jonel Brown. Middle: Bonnie Berko. Bottom row from left to right: Kathleen Daulton, Judy Vann Hise, and Linda Wonn. Mike Sheldrake was there but left before the photo was taken.

Linda Marks (Bird)

Michael Elliott

Really great picture you guys.  Just need to touch up the tall guy in the back row with the glasses.

Greg Cook

Mike, the tall guy in the back row with glasses wants to know if you ever found the seventy-eight cents?

Jerry Labuda

Good one Greg