Our Music: When Elvis Came To PCHS---Well, Sort of

In our Sophomore year the Tupelo, MS Flash was already making a big splash. 

I received a first hand report by one of our Sophomore classmates who had his driver's license and saw Elvis in concert in Louisville, KY.

He was a big Elvis fan, he even had wanna be sideburns to prove it, and said the concert was a wild scene. He said the music was great; Elvis put on quite a show; and the females in the audience never stopped screaming.

I do not want to embarrass or offend any readers of this blog by my next few comments. However, at almost 70 years of age, I think I can speak openly, especially to my classmates.. Our classmate said Elvis was signing autographs on the bras of some his adoring fans. I had no corroborating information, only this one student's testimony. 
 
I have heard the late J.D.Sumner of the Stamps Quartet, who backed up Elvis at Vegas, say many times that following the last show of the night, Elvis would sing Southern Gospel music with them until the wee hours of the morning. Elvis' gospel recordings rank among my favorites. Especially, How Great Thou Art.

Interestingly, while in seminary, one of my classmates was Rick Stanley, a half-brother to Elvis.  After Elvis' Mom died, Vernon, Elvis' Dad, married Rick's Mom and they moved into Graceland. Rick said he knew he was living in a different world when he was in the basement watching his half-brother play pool with The Beetles!

Rick is now an evangelist and as far as I know he has never attempted to glorify Elvis or his lifestyle. See: www.rickstanleyministries.com/journal.html

"Teenage Life in the 1950's" *

THIS ARTICLE BY ERIKA COX IS PROVIDED FOR ALL BLOG READERS. IT IS A GOOD SUMMARY STATEMENT
                          

Teenage Life in the 1950’s   

by Erika Cox
The word Teenager was created in the 1950’s due to the tremendous population of those in this age category and because teenagers started gaining more independence and freedoms. Teenagers were able to buy more things like food, clothes and music because of an increase in spending money.

Teenagers were also becoming more independent in the type of music they preferred to listen to, no more listening to what their parents liked, teens flocked to the new music of the decade, which was rock and roll.
Growing up as a teenager prior to World War II, teenagers were expected to take life seriously. Males were expected to join the military or go out and get a job in order to help bring in money for their family or to take care of their future family.

Females were taught how to take care of the household and prepare themselves to be a dutiful wife and take care of children. Marriage and preparing for a family, more than education or a career, was seen as a definite in the lives of teenagers. Also, teens had very little economic freedom, independence, and input into decision making prior to WWII.

However, in the 1950’s, expectations changed for the teenager. The economy started booming and families experienced a great deal of economic power, freedom and independence, including teenagers.

New medians were created like television and AM radio that attracted teenagers. Also they were able to attend high school dances, create clothing trends, dance fads, and hairstyles to name a few.

Things were starting to change. In the 1950’s, teenagers where more inclined and encouraged to attend college, find a skill, and seek a successful career. Their parents had more than likely gone through the depression and a number of wars, and now wanted something more for their children. 
This resulted in teenagers receiving spending money and having more time to socialize with other teenagers. Of course, this newly found independence would often result in conflict between the parents and the child.

The media played on these emotions and often portrayed teenagers as juvenile delinquents. Peers easily influence teenagers, often at that stage in life what peers think and do becomes more important than what parents think and say.

Perhaps, some would say looking at society in general that the first indication or act of teenage rebellion began in the 1950’s.

Before the 1950’s, teenagers listened to the music of their parents, but when rock and roll came on the scene teens swarmed to it. Even though teens were able to purchase rock and roll records because they were receiving extra spending money, their parents were opposed to rock and roll music, they despised it, and thought of it as corrupting their children.

This sometimes caused friction, it seemed as if teenagers were becoming more rebellious, defensive, and at times, disrespectful, and that listening to rock and roll was the root cause of all this rebellion.

However, this belief was often exaggerated because parents didn’t understand the newfound independence and freedom that they never experienced. Yet, rock and roll was something new and parents thought it was shocking and terrible. They felt if their children were listening to this dreadful music that the end must be right around the corner.

Although, this wasn’t the case in every household it was in a large number of them. Because parents had never experienced this they thought their children were doomed never realizing it was just a phase and it would be over with once the teen reached adulthood.

Later on this clash became known as the generation gap. Nevertheless, with the help of adults, radio, rock shows, concerts, and TV shows like American Bandstand opened doors for teens in the 1950’s to experience things teenagers of the past never experienced. Despite all of the uproar, teenagers in the 1950’s played a huge part in the rise of rock and roll music. 

* (From Rewind The Fifties Web Site)

Our Music----"That Old Time Rock n Roll!"

FOR OVER 20 YEARS I HAVE PLANNED AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE MUSIC WE LOVED AND IT'S IMPACT UPON OUR CULTURE AND THE IMPACT OF OUR CULTURE UPON OUR MUSIC. 


A SEMI-INVALID WIFE, RAISING THREE GRANDCHILDREN, AND SERVING AS PASTOR OF A RURAL OKLAHOMA CHURCH HAVE SHORTENED MY ACCOUNT TO THE SEVERAL POSTS THAT WILL APPEAR FROM TIME TO TIME.


1. Did You Know? This topic is well studied and documented; go to Amazon and look up books on the history of Rock n Roll and you get several hundred hits. Google the same subject and a million and one half hits will appear. Here's a shocker: Several universities offer courses in the history of Rock n Roll: Hold on to your 45RPM Elvis record for this tidbit: Doctoral Thesis have been written on this subject!

2. Different Approaches Taken:  : Some writers focus on the many blended genres of Rock and Roll---Gospel, Blues, Big Band, Country, Rock-a-Billy, Jazz, and other musical forms. In a word or two: They are all correct.


Other books focus on the disc jockeys such as John R in WLAC, Dick Clark, American Bandstand, and Allan Freed, east coast DJ convicted of accepting Payola. They too are on target,


Still others to turned the spotlight up to high beam on the upstart record companies like: SUN  label---Elvis, Johnny Cash,  and Jerry Lee Lewis. DECCA, and ATLANTIC were the new kids on the block and making money, big, big money. Another right answer.


All histories highlight the major role of African-Americans in this  art form. Rock n Roll was light years ahead of major league sports in providing opportunities to be the best--regardless of color.

I'll probably never get to write THE definitive history of WLAC in Nashville, TN and it's positive impact on race relations. Name dropping again: I have communicated with a screenwriter who has done a pilot for a mini-series on WLAC. So far he has not sold the idea. My guess it will only appear, if it ever does, on late, late night cable TV. The personal and on-air-lives of some of the WLAC DJs is not Sunday School material! One of the DJ's finished off a bottle of Scotch every show. The studios were near a local hotel, at the same higher story level, and a lot of binocular testing took place!

3. What Started It All?  Here there is much disagreement. Some say as early as 1939. Others say 1951-52. Most, including this Blogger say 1955 with Bill Haley and The Comets with their "Rock Around the Clock" smash hit. Bill has my vote.

Most writers believe the epicenter of Rock n Roll was 1955-59. Isn't that amazing??  We experienced something very, very special.


An interesting side note to "Rock Around the Clock" is one of my high school cousins, who lived in Kentucky, and his friends played the song so many times on a local Juke Box the recording groves were worn smooth in  just two days! Then it was only a nickle a play.

4. My Approach:  I'll cover Groups (especially Doo Wop--I probably know more about Doo Wop music than any other pastor in OK! That may not be a good thing!), Singles, Instrumentals, One Hit Wonders, Country Cross Overs, Novelty Songs, Parent- School-Teenager Songs, R and B, Old Timers Still Holding On and other issues.


We experienced something that happens very infrequently---the birth of a truly new American musical art form. 


FOR THE RECORD: I do not listen to what is called Rock n Roll today. In fact, I stopped listening when the saxophone disappeared from Rock n Roll music. That was, long long, long ago. While I am confessing: I also do not like most modern Country and Western music---it is only modern Rock n Roll with cowboy hats and boots on! That is probably more than you wanted to know about my musical tastes. 


I am working on a Post that will surely draw lots of criticism: I contend Our Rock n Roll started to die when the Kingston Trio hung "Tom Dooley" and was pronounced dead by the BEATLES when they sang "I Wanna  Hold Your Hand"


 GOSH, I LOVED, AND STILL DO, THAT SPECIAL, SPECIAL MUSIC DURING OUR PCHS DAYS!

Major Preview of Coming Posts

"I Was There When It Happened And I Guess I Ought To Know" ---Sung by Johnny Cash

By the end of this month I will be starting a series of Posts that deals with the music that we listened to during our PCHS days.

Most music historians acknowledge that 1955-1959 was the period when Rock and Roll (As we knew it) started and produced its greatest singers, musicians, songs, radio stations and their DJ's.  The music was for and , for the most part, about real emotions and concerns of American teenagers. We were most fortunate to be first hand participants in music history.For better or worse, our music defined us; and for many of us, it remains as the continuing sound track to our lives.

Stay tuned!

Our Music---Buddy Holly--Gone But Never Forgotten

I ONCE STARTED TO MAKE A LIST OF SINGERS BETTER THAN BUDDY HOLLY---I STILL HAVE A BLANK SHEET!!!

(See my earlier post--"The Day The Music Died")

There is an oft-repeated myth that says “Only the good die young.” Buddy Holly’s tragic death in a plane crash on February 3, 1959, at age 22, stands as solid proof that sometimes myths are really true.  At age 18 he saw Elvis perform and Buddy’s rocket ride was soon launched. He soon had a contract with Decca, one of the newer labels, and started producing one chart topper after another.

This Texan from Abilene was hardly your typical singer. He wore horn-rimmed glasses which made him look like a teen age Dave Garroway.( Early Today Show host on NBC). He was not overly energetic in his stage movements, but could run his voice up and done the scale like an opera singer. In fact he was a one-man Doo Wop group: Tenor to Bass !His band, The original Crickets band was nondescript—A drummer, standup bass player and Buddy’s magic electric guitar. His guitar playing skills never received the recognition he deserved. Some of his later recordings had the Big Studio sound. But it is the early recordings that spoke to me and millions like me!

Buddy Holly, and under his  real name—Charles Hardin Holly---registered 40 original songs. He was one of the few pioneers in Rock and Roll that wrote his own music. The songs appealed to teenagers because he sang about topics that resonated with them. He was a master at using the song title many times during the song. It made it easier for record sales, juke boxes, and radio request lines. His songs were very “danceable” and teemed with a fresh, raw, teenage energy. 

His impact on Bob Dylan and The Beatles (no one mentions the Everly Brothers, but the impact is undeniable) has been well documented. But his impact upon teenagers in the late 50’s and us older teenagers at age 70 remains as a defining memory in our coming of age experience. 

My Top Ten Favorite Buddy Holly Songs: 

1. That'll Be The Day  *

2. Peggy Sue

3. OH Boy!

4. Everyday

5. It's So Easy

6. Maybe Baby

7. Rave On

8. Think It Over

9. It Doesn't Matter Anymore

10. Early In The Morning

* This song was inspired by the oft-used line of John Wayne in what is arguably the Greatest Western ever made: The Searchers

A candle's light is not determined by how long it burns, but how brightly it shines. For only one and one-half years Buddy Holly's candle shone very, very brightly while he was with us. His music will shine in our hearts forever. 

R.I.P.     Charles Hardin "Buddy" Holly.

I LOVED PIANO BOOGIE WOOGIE IN PCHS--STILL DO !!

OK. I'll admit it: I'm still a sucker for piano Boogie Woogie.  Let me know what you think.


Check this out and see a real phenom:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ojt7e88g2I&feature=feedwll

"The Day The Music Died" Feb 3, 1959

Most of us can remember where we were when JFK was assassinated, RFK was assassinated, MLK,Jr was assassinated, the moon landing, and the destruction of two space shuttles. But can you recall where you were"The Day The Music Died?"


The tragic death of Buddy Holly (22), Ritchie Valens (17) and The Big Bopper (28) in an aircraft crash in Iowa, Feb 3, 1959,  prompted the Beattles to write, years later, the song "The Day The Music Died" in their memory.


I will always recall where I was and who was with me. Donnie Malcomb, Garnett Sparkman, Joann Thomas and I were traveling to the Tea Creek Baptist Church to borrow their popcorn popper for a home basketball game that night. We were in Donnie's parents car and we got out of school to go get the popcorn popper. I am not sure why Mr. Harris, Principal, selected this quartet to make the journey.


We were listening to the radio when the news announcement was made of the crash. We commented to each other how terrible this was and we speculated whether or not we should have a moment of silence at the game that night in their memory. (We broke the news to our classmates when we returned to school and our hoped for moment of silence was not observed.)

Rock 'n Roll was still very young and the untimely death of these early super stars hit teenagers very hard. Buddy Holly was the more famous of the three with hits like "Peggy Sue", "Oh Boy", "Rave On" and "That'll Be The Day." Big Bopper was something of a one hit wonder with an early Rap type song "Chantilly Lace."  Ritchie Valens will forever be known as the pioneer Latino of Rock 'n Roll with his "La Bamba" hit. He also performed "Donna."

In future Posts I'll cover some of the music that I liked during those wonderful, hormone-filled, coming of age days at PCHS. 


Side Note: My brother, Gary, calls me Mr. Peabody who was a cartoon character on the Rocky and Bullwinkle Cartoon Show. I earned that title because Mr. Peabody had a Way Back Machine that enabled him to visit historical events in the past. Gary defers questions about the 1950's to this almost 70 years old Mr. Peabody. In a strange way they seem like yesterday to me.

Favorite Radio Stations 1955-1959

This brief Post will review the radio stations I liked during the 1955-1959 time frame: (From my fading memory)



WAKY---Louisville (New station--- Rock and Roll)
WSLM---Salem  (Flat Top DJ in afternoons---Rock and Roll)
WLAC---Nashville (John R, Hossman, Gene Nobles---R&B)
WOCH---North Vernon (Eddie Sears DJ---Some Rock and Roll)
WJCD----Seymour (Sports, Chicago Cubs baseball))
WLW----Cincinnati (Sports, Cincinnati Reds baseball)
WHAS---Louisville (Sports, KY Wildcats basketball, News)
WAVE---Louisville (Sports and News)
WIBC----Indianapolis (Rock and Roll, Indy 500, H.S. BB)
WCKY---Cincinnati (Country and Gospel)
WSM-----Nashville (The Mother Church of Country Music)
WLS------Chicago (Rock and Roll, few commercials)
KOMA---Oklahoma City (Late at night, Rock and Roll)
WLOU---Louisville (Black DJ--Showbe Dobie--R & B)

All the above were AM stations, FM was yet to come. As you can tell, I listened to a lot of radio---still do. (Ham--- amateur radio operator). I once identified myself as an AM guy living in an FM world!

Side Bar Note: If I was President for just 1 day, I would sign an Executive Order that required all songs have lyrics that a man over thirty could understand!!!

What were your favorite stations?