I hope everyone had a great holiday season. Now that the holidays are over, we're going to start up our monthly breakfasts again. Our next breakfast is this Tuesday , January 29th, at 9:30 AM at Keno's Restaurant at 2661 LaPalma in Ahaheim. Come on down, hope to see you there.
While we are looking at opportunities for the new year, lets not forget the chance we have to make a difference in the high school experience of the present students. I am going to encourage you all to contribute to the "legacy fund". It will matter to those students to know their needs have not been forgotten but us old farts.
In case you're wondering what's to become of the younger generations, consider this: That rebellious rock and roll from the 60s and 70s is now the acceptable, soothing home depot background music.
Greg, absolutely right on target. As the Rolling Stones are now elevator music, it is clear that the controversial things of one generation just sink into a background of different tastes, different choices, everyone moving on. So what does it mean? I don't know. Just enjoy the sounds and the culture of your generation. Later generations will move on, not necessarily better, but different.
Spot on Richard. I remember the pushback our parent's generation had to rock n roll and hippies. I hear that same pushback today toward rap and millenials.
“Everything hangs on one’s thinking...A man is as unhappy as he has convinced himself he is.” Seneca
Once again it's time for our monthly breakfast at Keno's restaurant at 2661 LaPalma in Anaheim at 9:30 am Tuesday February 26th. This is the photo from our last breakfast. Come on down and join us.
Attention all you golfers or duffers. Kolbe Charities, the charity I work with, is sponsoring their 8th annual golf tournament to raise funds for other local charities such as CHOC hospital, Boys and Girls clubs, Mercy House, Fisher House and many others. It will be a day fun and entertainment with lunch and dinner served plus on course beverages. Kolbe Charities will donate $50 to the Savanna High School Class of 65" Legacy Fund for each golfer from our class that golfs in the tournament up to $500. This will be a great way to have some fun and also support Kolbe Charities and our Legacy Fund at the same time. If you are interested see the attached flyer or email me at NANCYJERRYL@YAHOO.COM ot text me at 714-458-5382. Greg Cook and I have golfed together in this tournament for a number of years. That photo is also attached. Come join the fun.
Great thing you are doing and a easy way to donate to our Savanna'65 Legacy Fund. I'm trying to put together a group for the event. If anyone wants to join me, email me at dblarpd@yahoo.com.
Released in June of 1965 at about the time of our graduation from Savanna, "Mr. Tambourine Man" went on to become a hit for the Byrds and is often credited as the start of folk rock. A big part of the Bryds' sound was their vocal harmonies and the jingle-jangle of Roger (Jim) McGuinns' 12 string Rickenbacker. Hope it brings back some memories. I have found that the You Tube link through this site won't work directly, but will require a clicking a link within the initial window to play.
Great catch with this classic, Richard. Mr. Tambourine Man was, of course, written by the incomparable Bob Dylan and covered here by The Byrds. What made their version great was, as you pointed out, those unique guitar riffs that are still compelling.
If there was a song that was truly a reflection of the beginning of "flower power" it had to be Mr. Tambourine Man. David Crosby was a founding member and was fired in 1967 and went on to form Crosby, Stills and Nash (Neil Young came later). Their harmonies separated them from the pack.
Nice reminder of simpler days. Any other songs out there that bring back those old memories?
It seems to me that in 1965, there were a lot of different kinds of music that became hits. The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan in 1963 initiating Beatlemania and also starting the so-called British invasion by other groups from across the pond. In 1965 the Beatles had hits with "Help" and "Ticket to Ride" and the Rolling Stones gave us the unforgettable "Satisfaction". Motown was represented with hits like "Stop in the Name of Love" by the Supremes. Another great Motown song from 1965 was "My Girl" by the Tempations. Nearer to home, the Beach Boys released "Help Me, Rhonda" in 1965.
You probably remember many of the songs listed above. One of the top songs of 1965 that you may have forgotten is "You Were on My Mind" by the We Five. The We Five was west coast, folk rock group that didn't last very long, but their first album produced a big hit with "You Were on My Mind". So to refresh your memory:
Thanks for the trip down memory lane Richard. As for local groups we could see Dick Dale and the Deltones at Harmony Park in Anaheim or journey to Balboa to the Rendevous Ballroom. It was the center of surf rock and featured The Righteous Brothers, Surfaris (Wipe Out) and Chantays (Pipeline).
Rich, you and I were on the same wavelength. I loved the We Five. I played that album until I wore it out. I was hoping it would solve all my boyfriend problems. Ha! I don't know if I told you but I took lessons on the 5-string banjo for a while but unfortunately it didn't go anywhere.
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.
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".
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.
What about the Surfaris and Wipeout? Every kid with a pair of drumsticks wanted to learn how to play along to that song. That included my son who had a rock band while he was in junior high and high school. Fortunately he moved on to many other areas of performance but never lost his love for percussion and now serves in the US Army Reserve Band.
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).
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.
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?
