Play It Loud

E-MAIL:

All,

I was thinking about driving around on my own back in Roch. and cranking up the radio pretty loud most of the time.

Seems like there were only a couple of stations that played palatable music, WBBF (seems like Jack Palvino was the main DJ) and WSAY (I can only remember Tommy Thomas, because Joe Clifford was that guy for a bit).

I remember being struck by the fact that they made Joe use a fake name instead of his own until he explained they did that for continuity sake. They paid so little that the job was like a revolving door. They would have to keep remaking promotions for the show if every time some new Tom, Dick or Joey took over. Made sense.

Back to singing along. Since Joe and I did a lot of cruising around together, in the '57 Chevy with the rotted out back floor that Chris Putts' boyfriend at the time (Gary something) gave me, or the light blue '60's Ford (also given to me I think) or Joe's Corvair, we did manage to belt out what I think were pretty good harmonies to Simon and Garfunkel, Beach Boys, Beatles, Stones and every one else on the radio.

I was wondering if each of you did the same thing with your friends at that crazy carefree time in your lives or if you did something else similar.

So truth, did you get your crazies on with the early freedom of the road and radio??


POEM:

Play It Loud

09/01/11

When we were finally able to drive alone

we cranked the radio tunes up!

We knew the words to every song

and sang along “con gusto”

Yes, we could sing every melody

and harmony as well

The radio and the road were ours

with no worries

Time has passed for amped up music.

We pay more attention to the road

Now, we hear the old songs

at a moderate lilt

But in our minds we see

that kid at full tilt.