How about the great news that vinyl records are back in vogue! I always knew they’d return. That’s why I saved my Panasonic record changer, white bucks, skinny ties, Zoot suit and my electronic tube tester/caddy stocked with tubes. There’s nothing like dancing to Little Richard’s ‘Jump Back in the Alley’ on a warped 45.
When I was 16, my cousin Marvin and I hung around Kresge’s five-and-dime store in downtown Aurora on Saturday afternoons. Somehow they got all the new 45 releases before anyone else. Plus, a fairly good looking, slightly skinny young lady turned the vinyls in the record department.
The sound was piped throughout the store.
I could tell right away the DJ girl took a shine to my flattop haircut, black leather jacket and engineering boots. At first, I played hard to get, but finally gave in after she told me she wouldn’t slip me any more complimentary Elvis Presleys, Fats Dominos or Little Richards unless I took her out.
Sheepishly, I asked the young lady what time she got off work. With a huge smile she said, “6PM.”
I asked if she’d like to go out for dinner at Highway Lounge. She said she would love to and even offered to drive. She said she wanted to show me her new black VW with the white stripe over the hood, top and down the trunk.
Good thing, too….since I didn’t have a car and no way to get her there. Once at dinner, the waitress asked for her order. She waved her hand and said, “Take his order first.” I order a burger, fries and Coke. She then ordered onion rings, strip steak, baked potato and a chunk of apple pie for dessert.
Financially I knew I was sunk. I had just north of $19 tucked in my jeans. I never dreamed a skinny girl would eat that much. Suddenly Presley, Domino and Little Richard looked financially doable. I looked around; trying to figure a way to get out of the mess in which I found myself.
For some odd reason my eyes locked on the fire alarm pull station. And at that very moment I knew I wanted a career in the sound and security business.
