Back in my olden days as a teenager, just about every teenager became familiar with the latest singers and groups by listening to the radio or watching them perform on American Bandstand. American Bandstand started locally in Philadelphia and premiered, nationally, in 1957. Dick Clark was the host and, along with a group of teenage regulars, he showcased the Top 40 records. Bandstand came on every afternoon. Regular watchers of The Mickey Mouse Club tuned in Bandstand when they out grew Mickey Mouse.
It was through Bandstand that I got to see Bobby Darrin, Fabian, Frankie Avalon, Paul Anka, Connie Francis and many others perform their hit songs. If you wanted your own copy of a current hit song, you purchased a 45 rpm record. The hit song would be on one side of the record with a second song on the flip side. I also had a few posters of Fabian and Frankie Avalon in my room.
Bandstand was also where teenagers could keep up to date on the latest dance trends. I still remember watching Chubby Checker on American Bandstand when he sang his hit song "The Twist"...
"Come On Baby, let's do the Twist. Come on Baby, let's do the Twist. Take me by my little hand and go like this."
My friends and I would get up and dance along, too. It was through Bandstand that I learned to do the "Mash Potatoes" . You can be sure that these new kinds of dances weren't being taught at Mutual. The new dance trends were rather frowned upon by the adults. They didn't like the movements and certainly didn't like the music.
I forget to wait for the authentication code! (Sorry if this posts twice.) I loved the hot days of August when, at 3:00 we'd grab an orange crush, and head downstairs to somebody's cool basement rumpus room and dance with Dick Clark. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteRumpus Room - I had forgot that's what those basement rooms were called back in the olden days.
ReplyDeleteHave been wondering when you'd get to Bandstand. How I loved that show! How innocent it was.
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