MEETING SOME OF THE PIONEERS OF ROCK N ROLL

 Before MTV, hype and promotional tools that new and ongoing music acts Endure today there was DICK CLARKS AMERICAN BANDSTAND. Each week On Americas TV people would see and listen to the new sound of ROCK N ROLL that was sweeping the younger generation of the early sixties. They were the pioneers of the music that is still going strong today.
Though I was a little lad at the time I can still remember hearing and loving the new sound when I went to the candy store, malt shops and on the TV with Dick Clarks shows. With Nostalgia a main stream in our society a friend and I took a trip to catch a few of the big names that still are performing to crowds that have not forgotten some of the innocent and when Fun was fun. After the show 3 of the performers came out to sign autographs which included JOHNNY TILLOTSON, CHRIS MONTEZ and MERRILEE RUSH ( Angel of the Morning )Had them sign a music poster of other music stars with Merrilee the most impressed and responded Holy Crap" seeing so many others that had signed it in the past. But we were not done. Our main goal were the other two and headed to the hotel were we thought they might be staying. And we were right.
First SHIRLEY ALSTON REAVES famous for being the lead singer of the SHIRELLES noted for songs Soldier Boy and Will You still Love Me Tomorrow. Though not feeling well she was so gracious, charming and appreciated signing our items. That rarely happens with the stars today. But waiting for BRIAN HYLAND famous for Sealed with a Kiss and Itsy Bitsey Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini and already come back but some times comes back down to the lobby and hang out. And because our luck was it full swing, he did. He hung out with us, chatted( even told me that he had the same Hard Rock jacket I was wearing) and made us feel as if he was a friend for a long time.
Though the trip back was over an hour back we felt revitalized that there are many know with out their fans they would only be collecting social security. God Bless Rock N Roll and for those who laid the foundation for what we are still listening today.