Thursday, January 1, 2009

What I loved about the 50's

I grew up in the 1950's and as a Baby Boomer I enjoy looking back at the fads, fashion, music and entertainment of that era and remember my favorites.
Dick Clark's American Bandstand from Philadelphia. I remember rushing home from St. Cyril's grade school in Tucson, AZ so I could watch all the cool girls and hip guys dancing the stroll by the Daimonds, The Hand Jive by Johnny Otis and of course the jitterbug and cha, cha. Pat Molitteri, Kenny and Arlene, Bob and Justine, Carmen Jimenez with that white streak in her hair, and Bunny Gibson and Eddie Kelly were just some of the "regulars" that danced their way into our hearts. I sat enthralled as these kids made their way around the floor. Looking back I realized how funny it was that some made sure they were in the camera's path. I knew their names, who were couples, and who broke up. I bought Teen Magazine which featured the regulars and avidly read each issue. I kept those magazines for many, many years and wish I had them now.
Ok, now how many of you remember dancing with the door jamb practicing your hip dance moves. Mom thought I had lost my mind. But hey, at least I didn't dance with the vacuum like my older brother did.
Bandstand aired nationally in 1957 and I was an avid watcher until it move to LA in 1964. Then it lost its luster for me.

Remembering the 1950's

Being a Baby Boomer the 1950's are special to me. So as I was sitting around thinking about things that conjured up memories of the 1950's I thought I'd put them here.
Poodle skirts, bobby socks and saddle shoes. Ponytails and DA's. Malt shops.
The M i c k e y M o u s e Club with Annette, Karen, Cubby, Darlene, and Sharon, Spin and Marty. Hula Hoops, the Slinky, Silly Putty, the Good Humor Man, Pinky Lee, Howdy Doody, the TV dinner, curlers in our hair, I Love Lucy, diners. Elvis, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Black Jack chewing gum, Davy Crockett and coonskin cops, Hopalong Cassidy, Roy and Dale, Ken Maynard, Hoot Gibson, that passion pit we knew as the Drive-in Movie., Carhops on skates,
Add Image Crazy Kat Clocks


And the music, 45 records, standing on the corner singing cool Doo Wop music. The Diamonds, the Platters, the Flamingo, the Duprees, the Elegants, David Seville and the Chipmunks, Stagger Lee, Til I Kissed You the Everly Brothers, Sleep Walk Santo and Johnny, Diana Paul Anka, Blueberry Hill Fats Domino, Bill Haley and the Comets, Rock Around the Clock, The Elegants, Little Star, and so much more.
Wow I could go on and on. But that will be for another day.