On the Subject of Elvis and Tommy Steel!

[john audley]

I did have the great fortune to be around in the era of Elvis and Tommy Steel (along with other great Rock N' Rollers like Little Richard) during the days of innocent coffee bars when the drug was frothy coffee! Dancing around the old Juke Box with great songs and lyrics one could (at least) hear. All the girls went out of their way to look really good with nice hairstyles, flowing dresses that would whirl out when we lads would twirl them around. Was it more fun dancing with them or sitting on the side tables watching?

They always had cute white ankle socks trying to look like Sandra Dee.
The question is where are they now? Their grand daughters are not always nice to look at (some look like fellers!) probably wearing nose studs or something with tatty jeans. Most undesirable to their fellow aged males but they don't seem to care either who also dress to inspire zero.
The girls that I refer to would be around 60 years of age now, and they all seem like older women going to seed and constantly moaning. At bus queues or Post Office queues I can not believe it is the same girls we used to twirl around! They always say 'isn't it terrible' whatever the trite subject matter they are talking about in loud voices usually.
So, where are you ladies? You 'fun to be with' little teasers of the old era?
No one wants to go on about 'the good old days' but cripes we were a happy bunch even the then oldies at that time

[avalard]

Curiously enough, walking through the park today, what did I see but a fellow in full teddy-boy gear (he must have been in his late 30s, early 40s) accompanied by a couple of girls in jolly 1950s fashions (though filtered through Happy Days I think...).

Guess they're still around if you know where to look..

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by avalard Curiously enough, walking through the park today, what did I see but a fellow in full teddy-boy gear (he must have been in his late 30s, early 40s) accompanied by a couple of girls in jolly 1950s fashions (though filtered through Happy Days I think...). Guess they're still around if you know where to look..

Retro fashions change so quickly that whatever you're wearing, if it's not fashionable this week then it probably will be in the next few weeks.
Even I have been accused of wearing something because it was fashionable when really it's just what I've been wearing for ages

Steve

[john audley]

It was not so much the fashions that I was referring too, for fashions change all the time (I used to wear a Davy Crockett hat when around 12 years!). No, I was referring really to the old attitude of fun in simplistic ways. This current case that 'all proper birthday parties must have a bouncing castle that may cost millions in legalities is but one example. Taking apples from a barrel with ones mouth might have been the time I meant.
To the point, dancing round a Coffee Bar Juke box would not suit unless one is deafened by the music! ('music' being an opinion but then I am of a certain age a would agree).
Likewise, no film can have a simple plot without some load mayhem or the inevitable exploding car fire

[ShirlGirl]

Originally Posted by john audley I did have the great fortune to be around in the era of Elvis and Tommy Steel (along with other great Rock N' Rollers like Little Richard) during the days of innocent coffee bars when the drug was frothy coffee! Dancing around the old Juke Box with great songs and lyrics one could (at least) hear. All the girls went out of their way to look really good with nice hairstyles, flowing dresses that would whirl out when we lads would twirl them around. Was it more fun dancing with them or sitting on the side tables watching? They always had cute white ankle socks trying to look like Sandra Dee. The question is where are they now? Their grand daughters are not always nice to look at (some look like fellers!) probably wearing nose studs or something with tatty jeans. Most undesirable to their fellow aged males but they don't seem to care either who also dress to inspire zero. The girls that I refer to would be around 60 years of age now, and they all seem like older women going to seed and constantly moaning. At bus queues or Post Office queues I can not believe it is the same girls we used to twirl around! They always say 'isn't it terrible' whatever the trite subject matter they are talking about in loud voices usually. So, where are you ladies? You 'fun to be with' little teasers of the old era? No one wants to go on about 'the good old days' but cripes we were a happy bunch even the then oldies at that time

I'm one of your vintage, JA, and I know exactly what you mean, but I can assure you I haven't gone to seed and never will - heaven forbid! I don't think I moan much... um, well, not often! I'm still full of fun and if it wasn't for my blasted dicky knees and ankles I'd still be twirling around the dance floor, too - without my ponytail, but quite possibly in my sox!

I'm not as skinny as I was then, but I keep fit by working out at the gym several times a week and walking for 30-40 minutes every day. My husband is the same age and much, much fitter than I am. He's up with the birds every morning (the feathered variety) and goes for a 'trot', except on Sundays when he rides his bike for 40 kilometres instead. He goes to aerobic classes at least three times a week. He's kept all this up for many years so it's a way of life and he enjoys it. I'm throwing all this in about him, because men can go to seed, too! Both of us often are taken to be 10 years younger than we are, which is very pleasing and excellent for the morale!

Last year I met up again with a couple of close girlfriends from the 1960s and they are just as mad as I am. (One was a real looker back then and won the title of "Miss Gidget" at her local surf club.) When we get together we have a ball and do a lot of giggling. We were having coffee together not long ago and the young barista - a gorgeous looking young man - actually flirted with us! No doubt he just wanted to make our day for us - and he sure did that!

Growing old is mostly in the mind and is something to be delayed for as long as you possibly can. (Too many people just sit back and let it happen.)

[alan french]

Hi.
At first, when I saw the heading, I thought the topic was about the recent revelation, true or otherwise, concerning Elvis visiting London, with Tommy Steele as his guide. But I see that much of this forum is far more broad and about the rock 'n' roll era. Now as a rock 'n' roll person, I can talk all day about this subject. Unfortunately, I must not get carried away. I found that much of my life, I am now 64, I have been told that I am wrong to like this music, it won't last, what records I should buy instead etc. The problem is, I fell on love with this music years ago and still enjoy listening to it. One of, if not my favourite visits to a theatre, was to see a show of which featured Little Richard. I have never recovered from this man's professionalism and performance.
Some people have been shocked when they have learned my taste in music. One person when finding out I liked Elvis Presley, stated that they did not think I was like that. In fact, I have even dabbled in performing this music in public. But that is another story.
The point is, why can't people accept that there are all kinds of music and all kinds of tastes. I do not tell other people what music they should like. So why should we rock 'n' roll people be moaned at and not left to excercise our rights to enjoy this music?
I am getting carried away so I think I will stop here.
Keep rocking.
Alan French.

[john audley]

Good on Yers' Alan and ShirGirl! You still can't beat the old rock beat can you. And Shirl, I am so pleased to hear what you are saying (I bet you are not living in my Yorkshire town). Absolutely true - keep thinking young and; D-L-T-B-G-Y-D!!! (Ho, and avoid Morning BBC Breakfast if you can!)

[john audley]

My apologies to Tommy for leaving off his E! But I never did buy any of his records.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by john audley keep thinking young and; D-L-T-B-G-Y-D!!!

Nil Illigitum Carborundum

Steve

[john audley]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook Nil Illigitum Carborundum Steve

Steve, is that water in the carburettor?

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by john audley Steve, is that water in the carburettor?

No You wouldn't want those in your carburettor.
It's what you said, but in cod Latin.
Don't let the bastards grind you down

Steve

[john audley]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook No You wouldn't want those in your carburettor. It's what you said, but in cod Latin. Don't let the bastards grind you down Steve

I should have said; Aqua indum Carbaratum

[alan french]

Hi John Audley.
Thanks for saying good on yers to me and ShirlGirl. I do not know about ShirlGirl, but in my case, you have boosted my morale.

In the meantime, it has dawned on me that this is Britmovie. It is fact that British cinema played an important role in the developement of rock 'n' roll in this country. This music was infiltrating our music scene for a while. In late 1956, it received bad publicity and possibility contributed in a big way in turning British society upside down almost overnight. If I recall correctly, the American film Rock Around The Clock, was being shown in the West End of London. The song was familiar to us anyway. It had also been featured in a serious X certificate drama, The Blackboard Jungle. But as far as the musical film was concerned, so the story goes, a group of teddy boys adjusted the West End cinema's seating fixtures so that they could dance during the rock 'n' roll bits. Although I have heard someone say it did not happen quite as reported in the press, but irrespective of whether it did or did not, it did cause a sensational phenomenon at the time. All walks of society were talking about it. Cinemas up and down the United Kingdom had meetings to discuss the film and whether they should show it. Many people were looked down upon if they said they liked this music. To go and see this film as well was the ultimate social sin. However, it was revealed to some people that The Royal Family had hired out the film for their private home cinema. Even more shock and horror. Horror of horrors! Princess Margaret, it was revealed, liked rock 'n' roll and skiffle.
Whether the showing and reputed teddy boy antics were a publicity stunt or not, rock 'n' roll certainly left its mark on British society. Like Hollywood, the British film industry started to produce films that it considered ,rightly or wrongly ,featured rock 'n' roll. Television also went in this direction. Both BBC and the then young commercial television for some years.
And they said it would not last.
It would be interesting to know more stories concerning the British cinema and rock 'n' roll.
Alan French.

[john audley]

They were really great and happy days Alan - all the best

[billy bentley]

Just to let you old rockers know, I was cooking dinner for the family Saturday night and playing Fats Domino. My two boys aged 11 and 16 thought it was great and me, The Mrs and them had a blast listening to Fats. After a nice dinner we all watched "First Men On The Moon", a diamond evening for sure.