8.23.2008

Saturday Morning Cereal: Second Bowl

“Well, it’s got a good beat and it’s easy to dance to...”

That phrase can only mean one thing -- it’s time put on your dancing shoes because

We're goin' hoppin'
We're goin' hoppin' today
Where things are poppin'

The Philadelphia way

We're gonna drop in

On all the music they play

On the Bandstand (Bandstand)


American Bandstand. The original national dance party. And the closer to the Saturday morning TV viewing experience.

How I lived for that noon hour, when my TV screen would feature

The eternally youthful and charmingly earnest Dick Clark...

Stylish and effortlessly cool dancers, all slightly older than me and therefore totally crush-worthy...

Lip-synching musical guests...

Rate A Record, where a random boy-girl pair would give pithy opinions on hot new music tracks...

And the dancing. Lots and lots of dancing. Plus camera mugging. Followed by more dancing.

It was a sneak-peak into the teenage world for us yearning-to-be-precocious tweens. And I loved it. Used to have to fight for telly control with my brother, as it aired at approximately the same time as Fat Albert. Guess who usually won. The prerogative of older sisters everywhere, dontcha know.

We're goin' swingin'
We're gonna swing in the crowd

And we'll be clingin'

And floatin' high as a cloud

The phones are ringin'
My mom and dad are so proud

I'm on Bandstand (Bandstand)



Here are some clips to send you shaking your own groove thing down memory lane:

The 1987 opening -- I was long past my watching days when this came out, but it’s a fun piece of epherma anyway:


The Spinners, circa sometime in the ‘70s, with “Rubberband Man.”
Dig those bell bottoms, y’all.


Ice cool Debbie Harry and Blondie perform “Heart of Glass.”


“Rate a Record” with a most unlikely song...



Dancing on Bandstand



Just for kicks, check out this list of acts who appeared on the show. It will blow your mind -- a veritable who’s who of music. Totally shows the impact this program had on popular culture... amazing.

By the way, Prince and I totally had the same haircut back in the day. Not sure if that's something to be proud or embarrassed about...



I rather miss this show -- even now. Now where are my dancing shoes...

And I'll jump, and hey,
I may even show 'em my handstand

Because I'm on, because I'm on
The American Bandstand

When we dance real slow

I'll show all the guys in the grandstand

What a swinger I am,
I am
On American Bandstand

9 comments:

TopSurf said...

Thanks for the bowl of cereal this morning. I loved American Bandstand growing up. I can't believe REM was on rate a record! I just adored the girl on that clip with the black gloves on, OMG! what passed for fashion back then! This certainly makes my Saturday mornings. Thank you! :)

Unknown said...

This does it. I'm building a time machine and going back!!

Karen MEG said...

Wow, all those acts on American Bandstand?

That 80s dancing is amazing too lOL!

Ruprecht said...

Nice mental walk down the memory path, cj ....

Prince? Rupe didn't know that .....

....................... Rupe

April said...

Love these nostalgia posts!

Anonymous said...

I read this while eating Cheerios with blueberries. I LOVED American Bandstand! I used to dream of the day when I could be a Bandstand dancer, one of the girls in the lame stretch pants on the platforms... *sigh*

XOXOXO

Jen said...

Great Saturday morning choice! Fabulous clips, Jane. These posts are absolutely wonderful.

Unknown said...

I was more of a Soul Train guy...we would tune in to see The Line...but you can't knock the instituion that was AB. Watching the pale, plastic knockoff Solid Gold just made me sad.

jason said...

1. I'd be proud (re: Prince/hair)

And really could anyone be as cool as Debbie Harry?
Wonderful!