Here he goes again. Teenage memories..... It's late 1970 in Britain, and I've just left mainstream education, soon to take up a Business Studies course at college. The local edifice ('The Laverton Institute', built in 1873 as the gift of Abraham Laverton to the town of Westbury) is holding one of its ill-fated "discotheques". These have historically been marred by misbehaviour, vandalism and post-function fights, and would be discontinued forever by 1973.
However, for those of us who only went for the music (and the girls, though they were always the same girls I had failed to impress at school a couple of years earlier), this was not a consideration (unless you were the one to get caught up in the 'rumble' afterwards!).
Along with "(You've Got Me) Dangling on a String" by Chairmen of the Board, and "Band of Gold" by Freda Payne, "Tears" was a signature sound of the year, blaring out from the cabinet speakers, annoying the venue's neighbours but drawing us onto the dancefloor in droves. We couldn't keep our legs still. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tears_of_a_Clown
(I realise there are several different "HashtagWeeks" going on from today, but I think I remember someone mentioning this one as a possible over a week ago. I'll be rolling with this one.)
11 Comments (since 30 Sep 2013)
leejohnson
Here he goes again. Teenage memories..... It's late 1970 in Britain, and I've just left mainstream education, soon to take up a Business Studies course at college. The local edifice ('The Laverton Institute', built in 1873 as the gift of Abraham Laverton to the town of Westbury) is holding one of its ill-fated "discotheques". These have historically been marred by misbehaviour, vandalism and post-function fights, and would be discontinued forever by 1973.
leejohnson
However, for those of us who only went for the music (and the girls, though they were always the same girls I had failed to impress at school a couple of years earlier), this was not a consideration (unless you were the one to get caught up in the 'rumble' afterwards!).
leejohnson
Along with "(You've Got Me) Dangling on a String" by Chairmen of the Board, and "Band of Gold" by Freda Payne, "Tears" was a signature sound of the year, blaring out from the cabinet speakers, annoying the venue's neighbours but drawing us onto the dancefloor in droves. We couldn't keep our legs still. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tears_of_a_Clown
leejohnson
(I realise there are several different "HashtagWeeks" going on from today, but I think I remember someone mentioning this one as a possible over a week ago. I'll be rolling with this one.)
pez
When Smokey sings ...
leejohnson
@pez "....I see violence." Huh? Instead of "I hear violins", if we go with the above reminiscence? Never mind.....
pez
@leejohnson I see what you did. It's good. I like it.
aldusd
Great one. Viva #MotownWeek !
lynn200
Motown week would be good...this is gorgeous,holds only Nice memories,:)
leejohnson
@lynn200 It's in full swing by the looks. Enjoy over the next few days.
21schizoid
Can't overdo the Smokey factor, Lee... :-)