Dancing has been one of my favorite things to do for decades. As Elvis once said, "I can shake a chicken in the middle of the room. Let's have a party"! The Gentrys put it like this in 1965!
When I was young you couldn't keep me off the dance floor. Any good dance tune would do. I loved fast songs, mostly, and slow. Slow dances I called "pushin' and shovin' music". Once I started hanging out with Sheri, my wife, we were out dancing nearly every Friday and Saturday night in clubs or bars all over Sacramento. The Dovells were an American doo-wop group, formed at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia in 1957. Two of their songs I really liked were “The Bristol Stomp” and this one from 1960.
Well, now that I'm 81 and my hips are bad, my dancing is limited in duration. Sometimes I wish I could do more because my girl, Sheri, loves to dance and I love dancing with her. Chris Montez is an American guitarist and vocalist, whose stylistic approach has ranged from rock & roll to pop standards and Latin music. His rock sound is exemplified in songs such as his 1962 hit "Let's Dance", which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
I once went to Arthur Murry studios and took lessons. I became fairly proficient in all the classical dances like: rhumba, foxtrot, waltz, cha cha, mambo, two step, merengue and a few more. But my favorite is East Coast Swing. That one is pure joy to me. This from 1966.
The history of dance is rich and spans across many cultures and centuries. The earliest evidence of dance is from cave paintings in India that are over 10,000 years old. The first written records of dance are from ancient Egypt, where dance was a key part of religious festivals and entertainment. The tomb of Tutankhamun contains images of dancers and musicians. We saw them in January 2024 when we traveled Egypt. Sly said it in 1966.
Dance was a significant part of Greek religious ceremonies and everyday life. The ancient Greeks celebrated their wine god Dionysus with festivals that included dance, song, and alcohol. Dance was featured in religious festivals in ancient Rome. I have been to both of those places but did not dance. Loved the cuisine though!
In Medieval Europe, folk dances were common among both the wealthy and common classes. New dances were invented during the Renaissance, which marked the beginning of modern dance history in Europe. The waltz originated in the 16th century but became popular in the mid-19th century thanks to composer Johann Strauss.
Dance can be a way to communicate, evoke emotions, and celebrate. It can also be a way to bond with others and promote cooperation.
We both love this group. We have seen them in concert several times. If you don’t know about The Mavericks, you absolutely must check them out! This is their version of the Van Halen song both released in 1979. They are great!
Sheri and I always dance the last dance together. This is from 1962.
I am 81. I have been many places, seen and done many things. I have enjoyed most genres of music. I was a DJ. I was an army brat and a soldier, loosing a leg in Vietnam.I learned adaptive sports and taught them to people all over our great nation and overseas. I have guided and lead expeditions down raging rivers.
I have many stories about my experiences in Vietnam, the military and at West Point. Plus lots of life stories, stories about adaptive sports, my adventures, my travels and great music too. When you click Subscribe you will be presented with options. One is to remain or become a free member. The next level up is $5 monthly and you can unsubscribe anytime.
I publish weekly on Friday. I want you to be transported to a different time and to enjoy what you read. I want to tell you about my life and my love of music. I want music that evokes memories. I want you to escape today's worries for a few minutes.