Home of Today's Common Sense

Published Brownsville Herald May 11, 2010

Over the last few weeks I have been heartened by the rapid rise and broad support of the “Tea Party” movement. It advocates the same principles, I have harped on, in these columns – less government involvement in our lives, less taxes and the resulting freedom to live my own life.
Some of my acquaintances often ask; don’t you have a life?
Of late though I have been limited by my health, I do have a number of interests, some of which include, an obsession with old movies, a passion for early Rock and Roll and Rhythm and Blues music from which Rock came.
Additionally, my hobbies, during my adult life, have included designing and building my own computers, specifically to meet my needs.
Recently, because I am not very mobile, I needed a way to access my collection of music videos and movies.
I found a new implementation of big office computer servers for the home. This concept has only been out for a couple of years and already four or more major computer companies are starting to support it.
With the right software, it can do most anything in the home from managing heat and cooling, as well as lighting and controlling security cameras as well as maintaining the videos.
If you office at home, you can also maintain office support that previously was only available for the corporate crowd and access the information from anywhere you can access the internet.
Just picture, if you will, my friend, Gilbert Rendon and his great deli restaurant “The New York Deli”. (I believe he has the best hamburger and fresh cut French fries anywhere. ) He also has a passion for old Rock and Roll especially the Beatles.
He could maintain his business records, menus, and his music and music media on this new system and stream the media to video – sound devices for his customers, as well as make the menus available at on call at screens near the tables.
This would provide a diversion and market his products at the same time. Perhaps, there might even be an old movie or oldies lunch.
We seasoned citizens like that!
I have recently, assembled a home network and devices to fit the needs at my house. I save my digital videos, music, and family pictures to the server so that I can watch it on my computer near my bed or on the big screen in the living room. I have also stored my columns on it so I can refer to them on my internet enabled smart phone even when I am in the hospital waiting room, awaiting the periodic care.
This ability has made enjoying my passion for the “Rock and Roll” and its beginnings much easier.
I just noted on my calendar that ‘Big’ Joe Turner’s birthday is coming up on May 18. For the many that may not have heard of him; rock and roll may not have happened without him.
He began it all in 1954 with the good time feel of “Shake, Rattle and Roll”. It turned him into a teenage favorite, and also helped to transform popular music. Later the same year local fella, Bill Haley and his Comets cleaned up the lyrics and made it an even bigger hit. Elvis a bit later brought back “Big Joe’s lyrics” and put them with Bill Haley’s arrangement.
I remember my first “date” (I was only twelve) watching “Rock around the Clock”. Amazingly, I was able to find both “Rock around the Clock” and “Don’t Knock the Rock” which features Bill Haley; The Comets; Alan Dale; Alan Freed; The Treniers; Little Richard & The Platters on DVD for only $7.98 from Oldies.com. They also, had Alan Freed’s “Rock Rock Rock” with Frankie Lymon, La Vern Baker, The Moonglows and Chuck Berry for only $5.95.
Though, Bill Haley travelled far and wide in his career, he settled in Harlingen and became a Rock and Roll legend, and along with the likes of Freddy “Baldemar Huerta” Fender and the many Tejano musicians such as “Mazz” helped establish the “Valley” as birthplace of some great music.
When I first arrived in Brownsville in 1984 some of the greats, like the Platters and Coasters, played to overflow crowds in Brownsville and at the Island, but I don’t see that happening any more.
I would expect, with the influx of perhaps in the tens of thousands of “seasoned citizens” many would enjoy seeing their favorites again.
Chuck Berry, now in his eighties, still travels to play a gig, as he did at the New York B.B. King’s, for two sets on New Year’s Eve 12-2009. He is also scheduled to return in June.
Many others are still alive and working, as the followers of my Web site know. I publish notes of “Rock and Roll” events when I find them.
Just recently, I learned about a Carnival Cruise Line “Malt Shop Cruise”, where you can mingle with and listen to Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Leslie Gore, Lou Christie, The Platters, and The Drifters from May 13 thru 17.
It is also interesting to note that the (See my column ‘Thank you Cousin Brucie’ of 7/16/2006) Cuzin’ Brucie that introduced “The Beatles” in New York is still with us on Sirius radio. Also of note is that, WCBS FM 101.1, “The Cuz’s old haunt that was famous for their Oldies theme for many years, has recently gone back to “The Music” and our oldies can be heard again in the northeast. It had changed to a more “commercial” style a several years ago.
It is also remarkable that in nearly every city you can find at least one oldies station giving “The music”, to new generations.
I wonder if our valley entrepreneurs could prove that “The music didn’t really die” in 1959 with ”Richie” and “The Big Bopper” and find a way to induce these great entertainers to South Padre and other RGV venues.
How about a “Seasoned Citizens” Winter Break, with appropriate entertainment?
I for one would help in any way I can!