Recapturing childhood memories

[George H. Smith]

I'm sure this won't come as news to anyone, but I am still amazed by how certain songs can bring very old memories flooding back.

Perry Como's "Catch a Falling Star," was a big hit during 1957, while I was 8 and while my family was stationed at Ladd AFB (later Fort Wainwright) near Fairbanks, Alaska. My family always listened to the radio while driving, so we heard this tune constantly. On longer trips -- we did a lot of fishing -- my mother would instigate her sing-alongs, so my brother and I memorized all the lyrics to this tune.

I recently listened to this tune again for the first time since my childhood, and two things happened: First, I could still remember almost every word of the lyrics (which admittedly are not very difficult), and all kinds of very specific memories -- including conversations in the car -- came flooding back. Why music from our early years can do this, I cannot say, but I'm sure others have had similar experiences.

Ghs

[Reidy]

I think of him when I hear Chabrier's Espana. That's at least as lowbrow as thinking of the Lone Ranger when you hear the William Tell Overture.

[Brant Gaede]

I think of him when I hear Chabrier's Espana. That's at least as lowbrow as thinking of the Lone Ranger when you hear the William Tell Overture.

I loved that "Overture!" I always called it "The Lone Ranger!" How dare you diss "The Lone Ranger!"

--Brant

50s' memories--see also "Sky King," "Hopalong Cassidy," "Roy Rogers," "Gene Autry," "Rex Allen," etc.

[BaalChatzaf]

Hey kids! What time is it????

It's Howdy Doody time!

I once sat in the Peanut Gallary.

Ba'al Chatzaf

[Brant Gaede]

Hey kids! What time is it????

It's Howdy Doody time!

I once sat in the Peanut Gallary.

Ba'al Chatzaf

For the first time, I envy you.

--Brant

the evil churns to the surface

[George H. Smith]

Hey kids! What time is it????

It's Howdy Doody time!

I once sat in the Peanut Gallary.

Ba'al Chatzaf

Now there is a show that brings back memories. I sometimes feel as if I am sitting in the Peanut Gallery of Life, but I digress.

My favorite TV show was The Rifleman (1958-1963). I didn't miss a single episode in five years. It is still played on cable from time to time, and I think it holds up remarkably well. The subsequent series with Conners, "Branded!" was a very dark series. I liked it as well, but I don't think it lasted more than a season or two.

Chuck Conners visited Old Tucson in 1961, so I dragged by mother there in sweltering heat so I could meet him. Meeting him consisted of shaking his hand in a mob of other kids.

Ghs