Rock n' Roll'n - The 50's and 60's

by Jim Orr

Overview

The 50’s ushered in a period of major change. Crime was low, children played freely outside, Elvis was Rock n’ Roll’n, a home cost $14,500, a car about $2,000. Teenagers were discovering the Rock n’ Roll lifestyle spreading across the country including Motown and Rock n’ Roll music, Doo-Wop, Teen dances, Going “Steady” with your girlfriend or boyfriend, Cruisn’ on Friday and Saturday nights, Hang’n at the Drive-In Restaurant, American Bandstand Dancing Mania on TV, Classic Car Clubs, Drag racing with the boys, Twenty cent gas, Slick hairs do’s..........and more! 

This "Autobiography" chronicles the lives of a boy and his friends growing up in the small San Francisco Bay Area town of Vallejo, California during the legendary 50’s and 60’s, experiencing everything unique about the fabulous Rock n’ Roll culture sweeping across America.

Although the events in this story occurred in the Bay Area, the same Rock n' Roll frenzy was occurring all across America. The book will not only appeal to those who lived in California at the time, but to others all across the country who experienced that fabulous legendary era, awakening fond memories of bygone days. For those who weren't around during that period, the book will provide insight about how it was to live the "American Graffiti" lifestyle then....told by the author who experienced it all.  

The story begins in the winter of 1944 as the boys parents give up everything in rural upstate New York and head to California for a piece of the American Dream. Westward Ho! to the Promised Land of the Golden State! 

Step back in time. Discover what many consider to be the Best of times in America! 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781641115063
Publisher:	Napa Valley Art Studio
Publication date:	08/06/2019
Series:	Rock & Roll lifestyles - The 50's and 60's
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	204
File size:	9 MB

About the Author

Jim Orr was born in upstate New York in 1940. In 1944, his parents gave up everything and headed to California for their piece of the American dream. He lived most of his early life in the Bay Area town of Vallejo, California. During the fabulous Rock n' Roll 50's&60's, Jim experienced everything unique about the Rock n' Roll "American Graffiti" lifestyle spreading across America. This "Autobiography" is about he and his friends life experiences during that legendary period. Jim holds a degree in Health Science from San Francisco State College and also attended graduate school at Golden Gate College. A graduate of the Santa Rosa School of Nursing, he worked as a Psychiatric Nurse for the California Department of Mental Hygiene and served in the Army Nurse Corp during the Vietnam War where he met his wife Joan who was also an Army Nurse. Upon finishing his military service, Jim left the Nursing Profession to become a Deputy Probation Officer with the Solano County Probation Department. He ultimately attained an administrative position with that agency, having his office in Vallejo, California. The author is also a well known Napa Valley Wine Country Artist. His artwork can be viewed at www.napavalleytourmap.com. He has also conducted private wine tours in that famous wine region and is the author of the travel book, A Day or Two in The Napa Valley. Jim has worked in many different professions, but regrets not having tried his luck at three others; a Geologist, a Stand Up Comic, and a Weight Guesser in the Circus!

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments…v
About the Author…x
Prelude & notes to the reader…xiii

THE EARLY YEARS

Chapters 1 & 2   Westward Ho! / Arrival in Vallejo…Pages 4 - 6
Chapters 3 & 4   Get little Jimmy in school / Gotta find a new school for the kid…7 - 10
Chapters 5 & 6   Growing up in The Projects / Playing marbles with the gang…13 - 15
Chapters 7 & 8   First TV in the Neighborhood / Fun up on “Tank Hill”…18 - 20
Chapters 9 & 10 The “Big Store” / The “Food Bus”…25 - 28
Chapters 11 & 12  At the movies / At the Roller Rink…29 - 34
Chapters 13 & 14  The gang needs a fort / Fishing up at Mrs. Holmes’ place...35 - 44
Chapters 15 & 16  Pigeons in The Projects & Frogs legs / The “Hidden Forest”….45 - 50
Chapters 17 & 18  The County Fair / Sports in the “Hood” and School…53 - 63

THE “ROCK n’ ROLL" 50’s & 60’s

Chapters 19 & 20  Rhythm & Blues: Jr. High / Favorite singers, dances, DJ’s…64 - 67
Chapters 21 & 22  Growing up in the 50’s / Pluto’s, Ping Pong, Hard Tops, Cruisn’...72 - 74
Chapters 23 & 24  Sneak’n in the movies / Being “Cool” in the 50’s…76 - 85
Chapters 24 & 25  1950’s teenage “Slang” / Being “cool” / Got my drivers license!…86 - 89
Chapters 26 & 27  Pop’s “Cool” ’55 Chevy /  Gotta get a car!…90 - 96
Chapters 28 & 29  Got the “Flathead Ford!” / Cruisn’ on Friday/ Saturday nights...101 - 111
Chapters 30 & 31  New cars, different looks / The “Accident” - Phil, Ernie. JoJo…112 -120
Chapters 32 & 33  The “Slicks” dance / Casa de Vallejo / The Party, Shotgun blast.121 - 136

THE LATER YEARS

Chapters 34 & 35  Hang’n out, no direction /  Vietnam : “Your mine Jim!”…137 - 156
Chapter 36  Westward Ho: Twenty five years later…157

EPILOGUE…161

POST SCRIPT SHORT STORIES
The “Lost mine at Long Canyon Creek”…167
The “Freedom of Forgiveness”…180

 

 

Editorial Reviews

Although I didn't live during the 50's & 60's, the book gave me a sense of being there and experiencing what must have been exciting times for teenagers and young adults. I love Motown music and listened to several favorites mentioned in the book. I'm certain other readers will enjoy the book.

Kelly D. - California

I grew up during the Rock n' Roll period discussed in the book. It brought back fond memories of one of the most enjoyable times in my life, especially cruising in town with my girlfriend ( who I eventually married! ) in my 1957 custom Chevy. Wish I still had that car!

Tom C. - Washington

My Grandpa shared a lot with me about his experiences growing up in southern California during the 1950's; cruising in his hot rod, hanging out at the Drive-In-Restaurant, plus other things. He shared the book with me. Sounded like a real innocent time. I read it....Great!.

Billy S - California

Rock n' Roll'n - The 50's & 60's was a gas to read. Man, I wish I could have lived during those times. Saw the movie Rebel Without A Cause on TV. It was mentioned in the book. Must have been a real trip living back then!

"Boney" D. - Colorado

My wife found this book while fishing around the Internet. She gave it to me as a gift. We're both in our 70's and lived in Philly during those days. Was once on American Bandstand. She gave it to me as a gift. We read it together. Thoroughly enjoyable! Brought back a lot of great memories.

Dixon & Marge F. - Pennsylvania

I actually grew up in Vallejo, California and remember the author. He belonged to a low rider's car club that had a dance at the old Casa de Vallejo hotel. I was at it! I also remember the motorcycle gand that tried to break it up....also mentioned in the book. Great reading!

Bill Y. - Southern Cal

From the Publisher