Originally published in May 2022.

I waited patiently for my upcoming surgery for several weeks and was now down to one more night of anticipation without any fear or trepidation. Instead, I relied on my love of music and the memories I attached to each song.

Some memories are of girlfriends, but most are attached to specific events and experiences I had growing up during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

The Baby Boomer Generation (1946-1964) grew up listening to the most fantastic music but was often ridiculed by the Silent Generation (1928-1945).

Elvis Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977)

My generation’s music was often labeled devil music, and many, including my dad, wanted the music banned, especially Elvis Presley, because of his provocative hip-swinging movements while performing Hound Dog on the Milton Berle television show in 1956.

I was six years old when Elvis first performed his #1 hit, Hound Dog, live on television on the Ed Sullivan show. I was too young to remember if my parents liked him.

Here’s a video clip of the performance:

However, I was thrilled to learn that Elvis and I shared the exact same birthday, although Elvis was already 15 years old when I was born in 1950.

My dad and other men from the Silent Generation were probably jealous because their wives, including my mom, loved Elvis for his music and sexy hip movements.

Thankfully, someone recorded another television performance on the Milton Berle Show as a home movie, and I found it as a two-part performance on YouTube.

Here are clips from his television performance for your viewing and listening enjoyment.

If you’re a baby boomer, like my buddy Bill Macdonald and me, you probably watched the video twice!

Bill and his wife, Bonnie (and her twin sister, Carole) were huge fans of Elvis!

Here is the second song Elvis performed on that show:

If you are a boomer gal, you probably loved him more than any boy at school!

I was in grade one then, not even remotely interested in girls or music.

By the way, Elvis Presley also performed in Toronto on April 2, 1957.

It was one of the few venues where he appeared outside the USA.

But that changed one Christmas when Santa brought me a crystal radio set, and my dad put it together.

I was probably 7 or 8 years old at the time.

That radio was on the nightstand beside my bed, and I listened to it every night.

And that is when my love of music began and continued throughout my life.

I often listen to music in bed if there’s nothing good to watch on TV.

I usually post a song at the end of each of my stories and have a particular page on my website devoted to songs I am currently listening to.

My love of music includes most genres except classical or opera. I feel no connection to music whose lyrics are in another language, or the song sounds like something only ‘teeny boppers’ would enjoy.

But those are my only exclusions.

Danny are you saying you like rap or punk rock?

~ Spanky

Yes, Spanky, but I have not purchased any rap or punk rock tunes.

I usually stick to rock, blues, pop, and country & western.

********

It seemed that every singer I liked in those days died too young, including my favorites: Marvin Gaye, Janis Joplin, Jim Croce, Jimi Hendrix, Patsy Cline, Sam Cooke, Jim Morrison, Bobby Darin, Buddy Holly, Brian Jones, Cass Elliott, and John Lennon.

I used to think that being rich and famous would make you feel like you were royalty. 

But some of the above were murdered, others died from a drug overdose, and others were killed in plane crashes or from heart problems.

Sadly, Marvin Gaye was killed by his father during a heated argument in 1984.

And Brian Jones even drowned in his swimming pool.

I was always saddened by the notion that they never had a chance to enjoy their riches and fame. 

And I’m sad that there will never be another singer(s) like them – ever!

But as the saying goes:

Live by the sword, die by the sword!

~ Gospel of Matthew

Although that does not apply to singers like Bobby Darin, who died of heart failure at the tender age of 37.

It was also puzzling to me why talented comedians and singers like John Belushi (The Blues Brothers) would need heroin or other serious drugs, when you have almost everything?

Maybe it was a broken heart that triggered the need to get drunk or high.

And sadly, neither drugs nor alcohol will cure loneliness or a broken heart.

I know all about broken hearts from personal experience.

Gambles Department Store (1969)

I was thinking back to 1969, when I was working at my first full-time job as the department manager of the men’s and boys ‘ wear department at Gambles Discount Department Store, adjacent to the Midtown Mall in Oshawa, Ontario.

I lived in a basement flat behind the mall, paycheque to paycheque, and not because I was living beyond my means, either. 

But that’s another story.

I have been thinking about that job I had because of a girl who worked there. 

I am unsure if I remember her name correctly, but I think it was Violet.

I can still see her face as clearly as if it were yesterday.

Violet worked in the warehouse, and we became friends. 

She came from a sad upbringing and suffered a lot of neglect as a child. 

Her teeth were terrible, and she tried to hide them by not smiling.

She had a boyfriend, and they were engaged to get married. 

He did not own a vehicle but was always at the store to meet her after she finished work. 

They walked home together and were a poster couple for romantic hearts like mine!

This sweet young girl was very excited about her upcoming dental surgery.

She was scheduled to have all her teeth removed at the Oshawa General Hospital and would have her new ones before getting married.

I remember all of this so clearly.

The day after her surgery, we learned she had died on the operating table. 

Blood was draining into her lungs during the surgery, which caused her death.

I remember going to the men’s washroom at Gambles and crying in a stall in private.

At the time, I was taught not to cry or show emotions in public.

Several months ago, a friend I used to work with at Gambles contacted me after he had read one of my stories about our hometown of Oshawa.

I can’t remember if he is now living in Winnipeg or if he had been living in Winnipeg and was now back in Oshawa, where he retired.

His name is Rick/Don Andrews, and he would probably remember the girl’s name because I think he was her supervisor.

That is what I have been thinking about before tomorrow’s surgery.

Pleasant dreams tonight, Danny Boy!

~ Spanky

Thanks, Spanky!

Maybe I will tell Violet’s story to the surgeon before my surgery.

Dedicated to musicians and their fans,

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway
And I wonder if I’m really with you now
Or just chasin’ after some finer day

Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin’ me late
Is keepin’ me waitin’

And I tell you how easy it feels to be with you
And how right your arms feel around me
But I, I rehearsed those words just late last night
When I was thinkin’ about how right tonight might be

Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin’ me late
Is keepin’ me waitin’

And tomorrow we might not be together
I’m no prophet, and I don’t know nature’s ways
So I’ll try and see into your eyes right now
And stay right here ’cause these are the good old days

And stay right here ’cause these are the good old days
(These are the good old days)
(These are the good old days)
(These are the good old days)
(These are the good old days)

Songwriters: Carly Simon

Here are other songs I’m listening to: These Songs Will Make You Smile Today.