All Requests: Dancing

Susan asks for a post about the last time I went dancing.

You wouldn't think this would be hard, but the terminology is tripping me up.  The last time I danced was this past weekend, when I got pulled by a friend onto the dance floor at a party and shook it down to "Love Shack" for a while.  But that's not exactly "going dancing."  "Going dancing" makes me think about getting gussied up with some girlfriends, with mascara and cute handbags and the works, and drinking overpriced cosmopolitans and listening to techno music.  If that's the definition, it's been a really long time since I've gone dancing.  By that definition, the last time I did so was in the fall of 2003, with two Antiguan buddies of mine, who were all decked out in bling and led me around the club scene in Portland with the discernment of folks who do this a lot. 

Last month I went out to see a band and knew I would be dancing, and indeed as soon as I arrived I pushed my way up to the front of the dance floor and boogied.  But it was hardly glamorous.  The venue was the American Legion in Portsmouth, NH, and the demographic was married folks in their late 50s.  The crowd wasn't particularly hip, favoring LL Bean plaids and tie dye.  I don't remember what I wore, but I don't think I bothered with mascara and a cute handbag.  I just showed up and danced.

The event was the 40th anniversary of The Fabulous Icons, a band my dad and his brother started when they were in high school, and have kept together, with different accompaniasts, ever since.  When I was a kid they practiced in our basement, and every week I heard the pumping strains of Takin' Care of Business and Louie, Louie and Knock on Wood and Midnight Hour and a bunch of other rock and roll standards, literally shaking the floor underfoot.  My mom tended to disappear on practice nights, so I would sit with the band on their breaks and we would order sandwiches from Pizza Joint or Burger King.  I liked listening to them talking, and I liked that I got to order whatever I wanted for dinner.  They didn't always sound good, and the band went through a bunch of manifestations -- different drummers, a saxophonist, keyboards.  Before she tired of it, my mom used to sing with them sometimes, when I was very young.  They've had a solid threesome for a number of years now, and they sound really good. 

My favorite Fabulous Icons song is "Nadine," a Chuck Berry song with great lyrics.  I missed hearing them play it last month, but I'll be in the front row, dancing, at their 50th anniversary show.

UPDATE: Here's a picture from a 1966 gig the Fabulous Icons played.  My dad is the blonde one. 

Comments

[Jeff Hobart]

That picture takes me back to my high school band during 1965-1968 in Louisville, Kentucky—the Scoundrels. There is something truly wonderful and magical about that age. Tom Hank’s movie “That Thing You Do” captured the pure joy and adrenaline rush of performing those songs. Your picture similarly evokes a sense of innocence when life at least seemed simpler. Thanks for the memories

[Susan]

That all sounds like going dancing to me! The request was made on a post in which you seemed a bit down. Dancing always lifts my spirits, whether its putting on a Violent Femmes CD alone in my condo or going out for some hot salsa with friends. (The mascara comment is funny and reminds me of something I might share on my blog.)

[Bob]

Sherry,
Just found this post. Your blog is the most reliable info for that GREAT band. Wished I could have made it to the Anniversary party.