By Groovy Reflections Team Members Pete, Maria, Guy, and Tim
For part one, click here.
Time to hear from the rest of the team and then we have a special groovy surprise for you.
Pete: I would love to have had a seat next to Sam Phillips at the Sun Studio console to hear the likes of Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison hone their craft. To have been a witness to the melding of musical notes that gave birth to all forms of rock and roll would have been amazing!! This was a time when the quality and innovation of the music was just as important, if not more important, than the money made off of the records sold.
To me, it would have been the musical equivalent of being in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776 when the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence!!
Maria: Oh my goodness! The man in black was somewhat of a strong child's crush. The voice was soothing and the songs were rugged. He had such a broad musical perspective while in fact keeping morals strong in his family. I think that a lot of young girls probably had a crush on him. So tall, standing at 6' 2", that of a strong father figure who cared relentlessly about love and life and it showed. "Ring of fire" was my favorite song and oh my, what I wouldn't have given to get a chance to grab a hug from the "Man in Black".
Guy: Back in 1969 and 1970, country music, which has never faded or receded into the background, enjoyed a tremendous resurgence of popularity, and was going through an assimilation process with the rock and traditional folk idioms.
It was a gradual process and had been going in that direction for quite a while. The Lovin' Spoonful's third album included Nashville Cats. Chris Hillman of the Byrds had a country/bluegrass background, and steered the band in that direction after David Crosby was fired from the group. Chris went on shortly to form the Flying Burrito Brothers. Hee Haw premiered in 1969 and mainstream audiences became more familiar with Buck Owens, Roy Clark, Loretta Lynn and Grandpa Jones. Ringo recorded Beaucoups of Blues in Nashville.
I was really into this at the time and harbored a desire to go to Tennessee, Nashville in particular, and check it out. That desire has never really gone away, although these days I'm not too heavily into contemporary country.
Tim: I grew up in Southern California and became aware of the surf scene at a young age. It was also the same time that Jan and Dean and the Beach Boys were very popular on the radio.
Many days were spent at the beach, with me marveling at all the guys and their long surfboards riding the waves and partying on the beach with their gals. I longed to grow up to be just like Moondoggie! That’s why I chose that as my vote.
And now here’s what YOU had to say: Presenting the results of our poll:
Dick Clark's American Bandstand is THE place 43% of you want to be. And just over one-third of you that want to be in that California sun. Thank you to all the GRoovy people that voted.
We recently ran a poll (click here if you haven't taken it yet) asking If you could go back in time, which of these would you choose?
- Dick Clark’s American Bandstand: Meet all the different guests from Lesley Gore to Paul Anka, the Monkees to The Byrds and be a featured dancer.
- Drive your Woody (or other hot rod) to the beach for surfing and partying’ with the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, Frankie & Annette and all the rest.
- Visit Motown and Chess records in their respective heydays with the likes of Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley etc.
- Hang out in Memphis/Nashville with the stars of Sun Records and the Grand Old Opry, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Roy Orbison and others.
And here’s what three members of the Groovy Reflection team had to say:
Gerry: Swayed by the thought of ponying on television I’d have to go with American Bandstand though I think Hullabaloo might suit my personal style just a wee bit more. Do I get to wear go-go boots? Sure hope so if Nancy Sinatra is a guest on the show; yeah, I can show how those boots are going to walk all over you! And since the show had moved to sunny California in 1964 I wouldn’t have to worry about those white boots getting dirty in the winter slush.
And when The Monkees come on the show, I’ll be shaking a tambourine too! And of course I’d only want to dance to a song if I felt that it had a good beat. After all, It’s My Party!
Paul: Make mine a one way ticket please!
I would love to have a chance to drive some of the classic hot rods of song: a Fuel Injected Stingray, a Little GTO, maybe a Chevy 409, or the classic 427 Cobra or that Little Deuce Coupe!
I’d drive them to the beach and see if the surf’s up! I have always loved the water and have never seen the big waves they have on the west coast. The closest I ever got was the beach/surfin’ movies in the 60’s. Would love to try surfing with Fabian, Frankie and Tab Hunter, heck, I’d even let Gidget teach me! And speaking of Gidget, what about all those beautiful ladies dancing on the beach? Annette, Shelly Fabares, Barabara Eden, Deborah Walley and even Nancy Sinatra!
These were the people and music I grew up with. So hand me down my baggys, let me slip into my huarache sandals and then light the torches, fire up those guitars and we’ll party all night! This beach bum’s never coming back!
Joe: While all four choices are fascinating, I would HAVE to hang out in Memphis/Nashville with the stars of Sun Records and the Grand Old Opry.... Johnny Cash, Elvis, Roy Orbison and others. Visiting Sun Records where Carl Perkins joined Johnny, Elvis & Roy as "The Million Dollar Quartet" would make my life almost complete.
The fellas who inspired The Beatles....where would we be now without Sam Phillips and Sun Records? And remember, Buddy Holly popped into Nashville before he made it big.....they actually turned down "That'll Be The Day". If I ran into Buddy.....oh boy!
Stay tuned for part 2! While you’re waiting, visit our website or join the parties on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ and of course, the poll.
Dick Clark's American Bandstand is THE place 43% of you want to be. And just over one-third of you that want to be in that California sun. Thank you to all the GRoovy people that voted.
