Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Musical Memories: A Funeral and a Flood



My theme is Musical Memories:  The Memories that music brings rushing back.

A number of years ago, an Aunt of mine passed away and I wanted to attend her funeral in Livingston and burial at Camp Ruby cemetery.  Pete didn't really want to go. So it was decided that our son, Bubba, would accompany me for two reasons:  one there would be a male presence with me on the S.E. Texas back roads to ensure my safety and help with mechanical issues.  And two, so he could see family on my side.  Or they could see him, daddy's namesake. 

It came a gully washer that day.  I was driving Pete's step side Chevy with the mags and Daytona 60's and 50's.  Sharp looking, but not much for hugging a road full of water.  We had to crawl along at 45 mph not to hydroplane on the road. It was pouring so bad, I missed my turnoff.  We went a huge loop around in the downpour.  We were both tense.

Listening to an oldies station on the radio, the announcer came on and said, "Now for the only number one hit by a group that never existed." and started playing "Sugar, Sugar" by the Archies.



Bubba found that statement hilarious!  And we both started dancing in our seats and singing along.  The stress melted away as we swayed and sang.  And we completed our trip safely, if not an hour later than planned.

I shared with him how I was between seven and ten years old when the song came out.  And was a devoted watcher of the Saturday morning cartoon.  I told him how I used to roller skate at the old wood floored, Biscamp Rink in Silsbee and how I had my own hot pink pom-poms to tie on my rented white roller skates. About how "Sugar, Sugar" was the best song ever to skate to.  The beat just went perfectly with the rhythm one needed to fly around the floor.  But ever afterward and for always, I will think of that trip when I hear this tune.  




Did you watch this cartoon?
Were or are you a roller skater?
Have you ever traveled the old Texas back roads?




49 comments:

  1. I never watched this cartoon, but I know the song, and I had NO IDEA it was sung by a bunch of cartoon characters!
    Sophie
    Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles
    FB3X
    Wittegen Press

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    Replies
    1. LOL Yes, mam! There were never any actual group named the Archies. Studio musicians and singers turned out the songs.

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  2. I've heard of the cartoon. You could say they were the ultimate manufactured band!

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    1. They started out as a comic strip and comic books.

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  3. Yes I was a skater on the old metal skates with a key around my neck. Good memories there. We travel back roads often. I remember that song but no cartoons or even a TV until I was much older.

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    1. I knew you and John traveled many back roads, And I would have bet money you were also a roller skater. I never used the metal ones with the key.

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  4. I've roller skated a time or two... :)

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    1. Growing up in a small town, you had few choices for activities: Church events, school events, a movie, go to the pool, roller skate or cruise town. Sadly, both the roller rink and the pool are gone.

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  5. In reruns, but I did watch it. Funny when you realize the band didn't really exist.

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    1. Yes, it is sort of strange. No tours, no concerts. Then you have The Monkeys, who they hired to do the TV show and as a bonus, found out they could actually sing. And The Partridge Family that had only Shirley Jones and her son, David Cassidy who could sing.

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  6. I don't watch cartoons... Ha! I do, still today... as I push 85, great post and story. Welcome in the letter "F"... thank you!
    Jeremy [Retro]
    AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]

    There's no earthly way of knowing.
    Which direction we are going!

    HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
    Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?

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    1. Eighty-five! Goodness, I though you were just a young man of 70.

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  7. Oh my yes I was a roller skater. Loved it and lived it for many years of junior high and high school. I loved the Archies cartoon and I also had several of the comic books. What I wouldn't do for those comic books to have.

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    1. Glad I could bring out those good memories for you, Holli.

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  8. I never saw this cartoon, but it looks like a lot of fun.

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    1. Okay, you little young kid. We'll give you a pass on this one.

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  9. I definitely watched that cartoon and we skated every Saturday. The two songs we loved to skate to were "Spirit in the Sky" and "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes" (that title may not be right, but you get the drift).

    Thanks, Barbara!

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    Replies
    1. Going up to the Spirit in the sky! That's a great one.

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  10. I was the girl holding on to her friend's hands for dear life or the rail, because me plus roller skates didn't mix well. LOL

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    1. Yeah, well, you have to take a spill or two to get the hang of it. I feel like I still could. But I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to test that theory.

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  11. Yes I remember the Archies. I'd better leave before one of their songs gets stuck in my head. Too late. Oh honey, sugar sugar ....

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  12. Wow, you bring back some memories! Yes, I watched The Archies and loved Sugar Sugar, though I'm not sure I ever admitted it. I also lived in Houston for many years, and I remember taking my stepson to college for the first time when we got a rain like that (his father was taking the twin sister to college the same weekend). Those Southeast Texas rains are amazing.

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    1. Oh, yes mam, they are! And that one was a gully-washer.

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  13. I watched the cartoon. I've never been much of a roller skater, but I have roller skated a couple of times. As a naturalized Texan, I love the drive the Texas back roads.

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  14. I remember the cartoon and I think I got a 45 of that song out of a cereal box - like Sugar Smacks - back when they were fortified by sugar. Anyway - this post made me laugh and now that song is stuck in my head.

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    1. You have entered the Twilight Zone. If you could find the 45, I bet it'd be worth something.

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  15. I had rollerskates as a kid in the Eighties and early Nineties, but I haven't skated in a long time. Since I have a gimpy ankle and metal hardware in my right leg and ankle now, I'm not sure it's such a wise idea. I don't want to risk a situation with the risk of falling and causing my hardware to be banged.

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  16. Now I'm going to have that song stuck in my head all day :) I used to buy Archie comic books :)

    betty

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    Replies
    1. Yes, the tune is spreading through the A to Z Challenge like a disease!

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  17. I read the comics and watch the cartoons with my kids. Now with my grandchildren. I was a Friday Night roller skater and I remember the tune. And now I am singing along and dancing in my seat!!

    Smidgen Snippets & Bits

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  18. Yikes, sounds scary! Love Archie comics! Glad to be connected through the A to Z challenge!

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    1. Well, wasn't much traffic and we slowed down to like 40mph. So, not as scary as it could have been.

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  19. There's something about road trips with parents that make for the best memories.

    Liz A. from Laws of Gravity

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    1. Well, you're trapped in a vehicle and have to pay some attention to one another. ;)

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  20. Did you watch this cartoon?
    -- No. I've lived in Japan all my life.
    Were or are you a roller skater?
    -- No, I've never roller skated.
    Have you ever traveled the old Texas back roads?
    -- No.


    Pieces of music can really evoke a lot of memories. I enjoyed reading your post.

    Letters from the Land of Cherry Blossoms

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    1. Gee, I would have thought that in 40 years time it would have made it over, like Elvis and The Beatles. Glad you enjoyed the post, despite the cultural differences.

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  21. Hi Barbara,
    Very nice post with some questions!
    My answer to all is a big NO since
    I am from India it looks like some
    restrictions too! when clicked on the
    video i got the following message:
    Sorry, we're not available where you are. Leave your email to stay tuned for good news.
    Thank you so much for dropping at my place
    May you have a great week adhead.
    ~ Philip Ariel

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    1. Well, seems the world wide web doesn't have everything worked out across oceans and borders yet. Thanks Philip! I appreciate you making the trip to Caneyhead.

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    2. Hi Barbara,
      Good to hear from you again.
      Thanks for the note.
      No worries, let's hope www will do this for all of us!! LOL
      Good day. :-)

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  22. We must be close to the same age. I was an avid fan of both the comic books and the cartoon. I owned the 45. Flash forward 30 years or so, and I was working for Warner Bros. records and licensing that song for compilation albums and had problems with the owner of the master recording who wouldn't answer letters or phone calls. Love your theme!

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    1. How awful! Looks like he'd be all about a chance to get a royalty or something. Glad you enjoyed yourself here.

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  23. I was really little, but I did watch it. I liked the song, too. :)

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    1. It is all about when you were born and the stage of life you were in, isn't it?

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  24. I've read the Archie comics but I never knew there was a cartoon! Wow.

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    1. Yes, it aired in the 1960's and into the early 70's I believe.

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So glad you stopped by! Come 'round any time. ~ Barbara

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