Comments on: Postcard Flashes-Growing up in L.A. and Santa Monica in the 50’s and 60’s

By: Gary

Gary — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:09:50 +0000

Oh maaaaaaaaaaaan! What a great article, Dee Dee! Everything you were writing, I was relating to, only a handfull of years later…..Those were great times that I will always cherish. Thank you for writing that and LET’S “HEAR” SOME MORE!!
Gary

By: Chuck Hinson

Chuck Hinson — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 05:03:02 +0000

Dee Dee, you’re a utterly fantastic writer, painting with words on the canvas of vivid imagination! Your palette includes snippets of a memory not too unfamiliar with some of us (for example, my first-grade teacher giving the same drills in my hometown of Pineville, NC. That may be why I’m now bald — the bottom of the desk had a strong affinity for my scalp!).
As with many others, ma’am, I loved your music. It’s amazing how a song like “The Mountain’s High” can actually refer to life-lessons as well as love. One thing that consistently enhanced your voices was the reverb used in the studio. Other than your beautiful voice, that probably did more to etch the sound in musical memories than the soft rhythms.
It was a pure pleasure to read your blog, and I assure you that I will tune in more often! Thank you.

By: Gary

Gary — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 02:34:39 +0000

And Chuck knows what he is talking about, for he, too, is really a great writer!
Oh yes, I remember those drills, too…..I also remember a couple of drive-ins within a couple miles apart, and the rivalry between the two. Pastels on one end and Richie’s on the other…..I VOTE RICHIE’S! They had THE best, creamiest root beer EVER. Man, I can still taste it sometimes. Wish they were still around. Pastels had good fries, greasy burgers………NICE CARHOPS!! But being a 7 year old little kid, the carhops meant nothing to me…..I WANT MORE ROOT BEER! It was cool because even my older brothers would let me come with them in their cool cars and trucks and let me hang out with them and their friends….I got a few kisses on the cheek, too, because the teenage girls would come over to the car (or truck) and say “Oh Marky, what a cute little brother you have!” Then they would giggle and kiss me/pinch me on the cheeks…..I HATED THAT! I WANT MORE ROOT BEER! But I loved when everybody had the radio going and always on the same station, it was like real-life “American Graffiti”! Listening to Dr. Don Rose and the Top 40 songs……….AHHHHHHH, HEAVEN! But you know what? I STILL WANT MORE ROOT BEER!!
What a time it was……………….
and now, I’m going to get me a glass of root beer.
I’LL BE BAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!
Gary

By: deedee

deedee — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 18:44:38 +0000

I’m honored and overwhelmed by your wonderful comments. We were among the fortunate to have happy memories of growing up in “safer” and more innocent times. Thanks for reading the blog and adding your beautiful comments.
Dee Dee

By: Bob Vargo

Bob Vargo — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:17:03 +0000

Wow - what memories. I remember going to POP (Pacific Ocean Park) during the early 60’s. Also cruising Harvey’s Broiler in Downey, as that is where I lived. What a pleasant and simple time! And what a wonderful story you wrote. And what wonderful memories of Dick & Dee Dee music during that era. Thanks for the website and writings. Let’s have more pics (old and new) if possible. Thanks.

By: wisedup

wisedup — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:07:56 +0000

Shock….in 1964 I lived in W.LA on goshen street, a block from Bundy drive. My neighbor had went to ‘Uni-High” and knew Jan from at first ‘Jan and Arnie”..then Dean Torrance. He pointed out Deans house across from Santa Monica High. I was in heaven hearing all about this! I believe i’m 4 years older than you so I can relate to your memories. My neighbor lived in Bel Air and got burned out,so his mom bought a house in Pacific Palisades, the second house as you drive up that winding road. The president of N.American had owned it,and in the curved glass ‘view room’ I would look out the window and gasp at the view. He had someone install a F-86 Sabor Jet in tile in the floor! I went outside and ….whooooo….steep straight down was PCH. I think the house did slide down a few years ago! My wife (then) and little daughter stayed in that house all one summer while his folks went to Europe…’I WAS in heaven…lol’. I could go on for hours,but just wanted to let you know as we probabley cross paths and didn’t know it. At night, I would ride my Triumph motorcycle all over thoes hills. MEMORIES…..I’ll shut up now,this is your show. Wisedup (J.V. as my friends call me). Thanks Dee Dee.

By: Barbara Wilcox

Barbara Wilcox — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:22:40 +0000

DeeDee…Found your blog via YouTube…You went to Uni? Jan Berry went to Uni?? I don’t know why this surprises me, because I knew there was no Paly until later. I graduated a bit later (in 1974) but your article really brings back how it was — I aspired to write for the Evening Outlook, ended up at other papers instead — I suppose you also went for ice cream at Wil Wrights — I remember by my locker on the top floor of the main building there was a window through which you could see a sliver of the ocean, and wish you were there… Thanks for a great article and I am definitely going to get Vinyl Highway for some more terrific stories.