First there was Andy Hardy, then Dobie Gillis, and then the Beach movies. All followed the lives of independent-minded teenagers. Later, there would be American Graffiti and Happy Days in the 1970s and then the John Hughes films in the 1970s. In between was a low-budget 1966 film called Lord Love a Duck.The 1960s was … More Lord Love a Duck
The wonderful thing about the 1960s was the smorgasbord of musical styles and blended genres. After awhile, it was hard to tell one style from another. Is it rock or pop or R&B or folk – or a combination? Sure, the difference between Herman’s Hermits and The Yardbirds is obvious, as is the difference between … More 1960s Pop-Rock
Mile marker number 64 is dead ahead for me. Maybe “dead” is not the best word to use. Anyway, around and around in orbit we go. On the occasion of birthdays, one may feel a bit philosophical. So, here are a few observations about the journey. The sun no longer seems surprised; him again. And … More Growing Younger
In late fall, it gets dark early. The cold gray settles in, seeping into your joints. The howling wind blows the depressing loneliness of November through every microscopic seam of the car. I finished my visit in late afternoon. Ignoring the growl of my stomach, I wanted to get on the road without delay. Driving … More Cold, Dark Drive Home
Stepping up to the plate. As kids, we cannot wait to take our turn. We salivate to be older, to experience what our sisters and brothers enjoy. We are not concerned about abandoning the confines of our childhood because there is adventure waiting. Eventually, we join the work world. Without much real world experience, we … More Big League Chew
I got this phrase from a John Wayne Western, but I am familiar with the concept. Very familiar. In my college days, I did a fair share of thinking that way. Many weekends, Mr. Johnson and I operated a think tank. I doubt many significant problems were solved, but some great ideas were hatched. And … More Thinkin’ Drinkin’
Tell the story of your younger years in a series of short paragraphs. Pick one memory or influence for each letter of the alphabet. I am mainly focusing on the pre-high school years, where youthfulness got me into trouble, but also fueled an imagination that I rely on today. It was also a time when … More The ABC’s of My Youth
Unless you are 20 years old, it doesn’t work. It can’t work. The banana can never be green again. Twenty is not a cultural touchstone. It is the epicenter of only that universe. Twenty is when kids are figuring it out. Youthful appearance and attitude are cultural currency for that generation, but not tender as … More Try to Be 20
Everyone has a favorite summer. Mine was 1975. The three months between high school and college were exciting ones; certainly for anyone getting ready for that next big step in their lives. In 1975, war was over, Nixon was gone, and the biggest threat to American freedom was disco. A few other world events: Spanish … More Summer of ’75
Every time I visit my hometown I begin to wax nostalgic. Even when my nostalgia doesn’t need waxing. I can stop my car on Lawrence Avenue and see ghosts of my prior life before me. Once upon a time, we kids thought we ruled the neighborhood. At ten years old we exaggerated our influence. We … More “Hey, get off my lawn!”
