Karen Booth
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School 39: Jackie Wilson at the Roller Rink
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School comes from author Lynn Romaine today, one of the fabulous Turquoise Morning Press authors. She talks about so many great artists that haven’t been discussed in previous entries, so this is a treat for me, especially hearing about the Motown stuff. I admire her willingness to say that Elvis wasn’t all that and a bag of chips. He never really did it for me, but I often thought it was only because I wasn’t exposed to his music. Sounds like exposure wasn’t a problem for Lynn and she still wasn’t about to get on the Elvis bandwagon.
Lynn Romaine
Dearborn High School, Dearborn, Michigan, class of ’62 (yes I am that old)
What Lynn does now: Well, I have published five books through small presses, having started writing fiction only nine years ago (never thought I had a story in me). I also have a master’s in information science and work with information online as well as back up transcription and editing work. I call it creative income.
Band and/or song that reminds you the most of high school: Jackie Wilson, “Lonely Teardrops” (the guy Elvis based his music on), “Crying” by Roy Orbison, Bo Diddley (‘Hey, Bo Diddley’), the Drifters, Hank Ballard
Favorite piece of music memorabilia (poster, t-shirt, etc.) in high school: Oh, let’s see, there wasn’t much music poster stuff or any stuff then – we had some early Elvis something or other since my sister went to see him live (in 1959) but I wasn’t an Elvis fan. We only had fan magazines, entire magazines devoted to Elvis.
Band that you hated that everyone else at school seemed to love: Ricki Nelson, or any of the ‘white bread’ music that was gaining popularity, especially anything from American Bandstand. In Detroit the cool kids liked R&B based rock and roll, early Motown when it was just getting started (1960). Also I did not like Elvis Presley or any of his newly over-produced music.
Best show or concert you saw in high school: Sorry, I never saw a show or concert, although my sister did see Elvis as I said. Oh wait, I saw Jackie Wilson live – at the local roller rink, where we went, along with teen clubs, to see local music groups.
Optional bonus question: Best high school make-out song: Sorry, I didn’t even have a boyfriend in high school; I was too busy being a rebel. We were early ‘greasers’ before there were greasers and I went to a ‘frat’ high school where everyone owned a car and wore cashmere sweater sets.
Lynn is the author of Night Noise, an Ecothriller from Turquoise Morning Press. You can learn more about her at lynnromaine.com or on her blog at writingtonight.blogspot.com.
You should write some historical fiction from that period. I know, it doesn’t seem so historical but with books like The Help doing huge sales, that period, the early sixties, is being considered historic. And I bet you could turn a few interesting twists.
great idea–Lynn? Comments?
Thanks, Priscille – I’ll take whatever suggestions you have and seriously consider them since you are the bomb these days with selling a book.
Great story! Great Blog!
Thanks, darlin’!
What a fun idea for a blog. Had me wondering how I would answer those questions. It’s almost been too long ago to remember. 🙂
Glad you took the time to stop by!
Me too! But fun to recall so long ago what life was like! Thanks Karen for the opportunity to reminisce
Detroit in the early sixties? You were in the hotbed of rock ‘n’ roll. What a great way to get to know authors. Thanks for sharing.
Detroit in the early sixties could only be described as a singular American experience. How lucky we are to have Lynn to share it with us.
Thanks, Linda. Yup – actually late 50’s was where I got my rock and roll intro – my older sister, who died in an accident in 1959, had lots of strong views on what was good music – anything other than white bread – I remember the first rock and roll song I heard was by white guys though – something about ‘the bottom of the well’ – then under my sister’s influence, I bought my first 33 record – Little Richard singing Tutti Frutti!
This is such a fun blog! I loved your answers, Lynn.
Thanks for stopping by, Janie. You’re up next!
Thanks to everyone who visited – and thanks, Karen for a great blog – I’m thinking of writing, as Priscille suggseted something 50ish – lynn
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