We were allegedly in school to learn, but the thing my fellow sixth-graders and I wanted more than smarts was to be cool. It was 1964. Music was the magic link that would connect us to the ‘in crowd.’ You had to stay up-to-date with the most popular tunes if you didn’t want to be labeled ‘a square.’
Teachers played tug-of-war with our attention as we fidgeted and watched the clock, counting the minutes ’til recess. At the sound of the bell we raced out to the far end of the asphalt playground and jockeyed to get a ringside spot at the seesaws. That’s where we’d gather every day at two o’clock, hovering around Bobby C’s portable radio. It was tuned to WABC radio, New York’s premier rock ‘n roll station. Every day at 2:00 they would play the current #1 song. If you didn’t know what WABC’s #1 song was, you’d be on the fast track to social oblivion. All the cool kids knew, and liked, the #1 song. Continue reading
