Subject: Re: More memories
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 10:10:54 -0400
From: "Larry Norton" [larrynorton@paonline.com]
To: ALL
Hi everyone!
I have been surprised by the memories of teachers, of all people, even though
many I do recall when prompted by your recollections. I seem to remember mostly
music - not school music but the rock n roll, popular tunes. Most of the
specific songs I associate with people. Dave, I do remember Wild Child singing
Wolverton Mountain at the Sheridan Inn and at some club he played at on the
South Side of town. I do remember Buddy Holly, especially Peggy Sue, which I
associate with Carrie Sue Clauss, a year ahead of us. Maybe it was her pony
tail, mostly though her figure.
The singing voices I remember weren't those of Larry Rager and Becky Bourland -
sorry - but the dulcet tones and harmonies of Rocky Carter and Bill Wessels-
Rocky - God Rest His Soul - loved The Kingston Trio - Tom Dooley, Scotch and
Soda, etc and I remember singing along with him in his basement rec room.
Wessels loved and still loves the Everly Brothers - Don and Phil -
"Dream" - what harmony - I remember going out to the strip mines - we
went there quite a bit to get away from authorities - sitting on a big rock in
the middle of one lake, with a transister radio - remember what a great
technological revolution - harmonizing with Don and Phil and "The
Lump." Maybe he wants to be called "William Wessels" by those
who know him now (not likely) but he will always be The Lump to me. Just as you
Dave Weisert are "Smiley ___." Sure, and I remember Shantilly Lace -
The Lump or also "Walls" loved it, as he and I loved - see if you
remember this one - "Betty Lou Gotta New Pair of Shoes." I remember
sitting on the steps outside the locker room in back of school, after a hot
football practice and before going in to get the equipment off or before
getting a ride home - singing both of these songs.
I remember lifting weights after Sophomore or Junior year at some gym down near
Spalding, sitting in the heat in the open windows listening to "Mother in
Law" by ???? and "Blue Moon" - Dip da dip da dip da da - The
only guys I remember doing this with were Brian Pavlon and Spandy Parks - the
guys who loved and were so proud of their chests and arms.
I remember freshman year, sitting in home room, I think - maybe Mr. O'Toole -
and hearing over and over again, in my mind I think, that great Bobby Darin
song "Splish Splash."
Probably sophomore or junior year, Dave Sanderson, Bill Stuber, and I - we were
pretty much inseparable in those years - coming from Calvin Coolidge together,
went to see a movie called "Key Witness." I can't remember anything
about it except the music, "Theme >From Key Witness." I still
remember the tune, although they may not and it is impossible to reproduce
here.
It says something about our time at PHS, I think, that virtually all of my
memories of music are associated, not with girls, but with guys. This is where
we spent our time - with other guys and girls with girls. I can't remember
having any serious discussions with girls in high school. Don't ask how many
serious discussions with other guys.
I didn't even know girls still had "spreads." I knew you all hung
around in special groups, as did guys. I knew that these groupings and where
you were was the most important thing going on in your life, but I thought
"spreads" had been prohibited after my sister went to PHS.
Maybe I wasn't quite as superficial as all this suggests, but that is how I
remember it.
Larry Norton
Run a Round Sue - what a great song - always associated with Doug Beard's
girlfriend at the time, Sue Stanley? Cathy's Clown by the Everly Brothers,
another name for Joe Hanlon!