Karen Booth
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School 40: Satisfaction in Black Tight Pants
Today’s Rock ‘n’ Roll High School entry comes from writer extraordinaire Janie Emaus, whom I met through one of my publishers, Turquoise Morning Press. I could tell from our first email exchange that Janie and I were going to get on like a house on fire–she’s such a huge music fan with many stories to share. For the second entry in a row, we get a glimpse of music as it was enjoyed by American teens in the 1960s, which is so incredibly cool to me. There’s a reason that my contributors who grew up in that era have such enviable music memories–popular music was in no way disposable then. Makes a big difference.
Janie Emaus
Grant High School, Class of ’66, Currently: Freelance Bookkeeper & author
Band and/or song that reminds you the most of high school: “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones reminds me of dancing in our backyard at a party. I can even remember what I was wearing. Black tight pants and a French beret. And of course, any song by The Supremes.
Favorite piece of music memorabilia (poster, t-shirt, etc.) in high school: All The Beatles album covers. Yes..album covers. This was pre CD days. Pre cell phones. Pre “being connected to one another at all times” days.
Band that you hated that everyone else at school seemed to love: The music of my high school years was so good, I can’t think of anything that I hated. I’d go back there in nanosecond just to listen to the music.
Best show or concert you saw in high school: So sad to say that I didn’t go any concert that I can remember. I did want to see The Beatles. But as close as I got to the Fab Four was living next to a Capital Records executive.
Best high school make-out song: God, any song. I was so excited to just make-out, I didn’t care what was playing.
Janie’s debut Young Adult novel, Mercury In Retro Love, will be released by Turquoise Morning Press in 2012. You can learn more about her on her blog at theboomerrants.com or read more from her in her weekly column at In The Powder Room.
Oh boy – memories, but mine are from the 70’s. How about the band I loved that everyone seemed to hate?
Bay City Rollers.
LOVED the drummer, Derek. Who cared they wore short pants and tartan socks? S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y. Night *sigh*
Thanks Karen, and Janie for taking us down memory lane.
Madison – I traveled through Europe in 1970 and hearing music from that year, takes me right back to those days.
Great post you two! I remember those tight black pants and how we’d all go goo-goo over them. Had LOTS of posters in my room with bubble-gum rock band members decked out in big hair and tight leather pants.
The good ol’ days!
I think my mother was scared for me and of my future…she had no idea where this fad, of men in make-up and tattoos, was going to take me and how influential it would be down the road. I swear she thought I was a lost soul. haha
What’s funny is my father is now playing those songs on his guitar and my mother sings along. Funny how things change.
My dad worried about me, too.
Great interview and I’m excited about your debut YA novel!
And I smiled at the idea of you in the ’60’s wearing tight black pants and a French beret. Not only dancing to the Stones, but that would have worked so well with protest songs in coffee houses, too! Bob Dylan, Joan Baez…
Bob Dylan was/is still one of my favorites.
I hear you, Janie, on going back just to listen to the music. I love the music of my high school days. I even make my kids listen to it–they’re the only ones at their school who can sing Styx and Journey songs.
I made my daughter listen to Breakfast with The Beatles when she was little. Thanks for stopping by.
Janie,
Dancing a routine to “I Told Every Little Star” with Me, Rina, Nancy, Dolly and I thought you??? Best make out song “Til” Best concert, Elvis’ Comeback Tour. Gosh, those were the days!!
Congrats on your interview Janes.
Leslie
They were, Leslie. And I’m glad I got to share them with you.
Girls, this is a fantastic idea for an interview. Congratulations on your writing.
Vicki- Thanks so much.
Janie
Great interview, ladies. Loved the response for best make-out song. Too funny. I didn’t go to any concerts in high school either, but made up for that once I went away to college.
Congrats on the upcoming debut release.
Christina – Thanks for stopping by.
Great interview–and great title! I’m really looking forward to the release of Janie’s book. Congratulations!
Thanks, Heidi – I’ll be sure to let you know when it’s out!