Tom Jones

Throughout generations, many parents loathed their kids listening to "rock and roll" music. On the flip side, my mom, in photos above, dug it. She liked Elvis as a young mother in the 50s and when The Beatles came in 1964, she was groovin' along with her teen daughters. Her favorite singer, however, was Tom Jones. I've been hearing Mr. Jones since I was a toddler and these songs are like a fuzzy blanket for me even though they're about cheating and murder. The young woman, below, is so cute while she hears two of Tom's tunes for the first time.

1958 dancing

In the late 1950s and throughout the 60s, many cities created their own "American Bandstand" at the tv studio with the weatherman as host. This video is like a car crash. I can't look away. Besides, I love the song (thanks Alex). It is so awkward, innocent and white-bread. Thank God footage like this exists when kids danced together pre-twist.

hey, hey, hey – what's happening?

My friend Sue recently told me that her first concert was The Doobie Brothers on Cape Cod in 1978. I immediately thought of this:



What's Happening?! (1976-79) was one of my favorite shows as a kid. Rerun (Fred Berry) was well-known for his locking. Check him out.

Here are some kids locking on American Bandstand circa 1975.