In 1981 when I was 16, a friend and I visited my sister Nancy in LA. The big song that summer, which we kept hearing as we bombed around in her '67 Volvo Sports Coupe was Double Dutch Bus, or as we called it, "The Popeye Song."Give me a ho if ya got ya funky bus fare.
During our trip, we went to a show at the famous Whisky a Go Go. At left, is my ticket stub. Unfortunately, the only concert we were able to see was an all-ages, Sunday afternoon show by Wasted Youth and The Circle Jerks. We were the only kids in attendance without Mohawks. I've never been in the midst of such an unruly and hideous crowd. The dance of choice was slam dancing and it appeared the punkers were really trying to hurt each other – something I thoroughly enjoyed. Aaahh, the 1980s.
We had brunch at the Hotel Bel-Air and sitting at the next table were Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters who were dating at the time. What a thrill for a 16-year-old from a small New England town.
Above, Nancy and my friend pose in front of the Hollywood sign.
