"Cruisin' 1966" by "The Real Geno"

On a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon Geno and Keith decided to take a drive around town to witness, "The Happening".
Geno commented, "I Can't Get No Satisfaction". Keith said you should see "Gloria". Geno responded, ‘what time is it?’ and Keith answered, "Quarter To Three". Then Geno shrugged and said "Time Won't Let Me". Keith agreed and said, ‘that's the trouble with being in High School, we don't know anything about "Good Lovin' ".
So we drove up "Funky Broadway" towards Denton’s Drug store, where we saw Ronnie Cargile walking along the street talking about his "Brown Eyed Girl" and him "Sittin' On the Dock Of The Bay". As we cruised on "Downtown" we saw Tom Porter " California Dreamin" and talking to Judy Prince about those "California Girls" and he told her ,"If You Want To Be Happy" "We Got To Get out Of This Place". Judy replied, "Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind" about the "Girl from Ipanema?" and her "Unchained Melody?"
Looking to the South side of Broad St. who, but Bob Simerly, stuck his head out of Sam’s shoeshine stand next to Worl's Jewelry store to say, 'Hey Geno', "You Really Got Me" and by the way, have you seen the "Duke Of Earl?" I said, 'no Bob', but he was at his "House Of The Rising Sun" last "Monday, Monday".
Driving on through town we noticed Dave Barnes and yelled out "Hey Mister Tambourine Man", you look like a "Wild Thing" and then saw Jerry Byers who was saying, "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter" named" Barbara Ann" and declaring, " I'm Your Puppet". Barb Brown giggled, "See The Funny Little Clown."
Going on down the street we saw Jim Lewis and yelled at him, Hey "Louie, Louie!", have you seen "Mustang Sally?". He said, I saw her last "Ruby Tuesday" "Under The Boardwalk."
As we came by G.C. Murphy's, I called out, 'Look Keith, there’s Linda Stephens and he said, 'Where'? I said, "I Saw Her Standing There", next to the "Bus Stop". Linda shouted, 'Hey Geno, turn the radio up cause I don't like the "Sounds of Silence". "I'm a Believer" on a Saturday afternoon. We need to "Twist and Shout" and "Keep on Dancin’. "Walk Don't Run", and I’ll "See You in September."
“Down on the Corner” by Schiff’s Shoes, our buddy Herman Groce waved. 'I need a lift to the Top Hat.' We said, ‘jump in, but we've got to "Go Now" because we don't have time to "Day Dream".
We let Herman out at the Top Hat and headed back towards town, where we saw Letha York, "On The Poor Side Of Town". She yelled out, "I was Born a Woman" "For What It's Worth". We drove away thinking she's got those ,"Mean Woman Blues."
As we came to 22nd street we saw Nancy Larrison and thought, "Doo Wah Diddy Diddy"! There she is just walkin' down the street singing, "These Boots Are Made For Walkin". We said, "Hey Nancy, where ya headed?" She replied, "Stop In The Name Of Love"! I need a "Ticket To Ride'. So, we said "It's Not Unusual" to want that. Hop in, "Don't Just Stand There".
We drove by Schuffman’s Furniture to see Jane Baker as she came out the door. We yelled, 'Jane what’s going on?' and she replied, "I'm Glad All Over" to see you guys'. "Do You Want To Know A Secret?" 'Sure, what is it?' To which she said, 'Julie Woods has been doing some' "Hanky Panky" all over town. We thought she was the "Little Town Flirt" but had no idea that she got her "Kicks" with a "Paperback Writer"
We then drove by the Sears store to see Vicky Clark in a phone booth calling her "Baby Love" at "634-5789". When she got no answer she said,'I'm going to, "Keep Searchin’ ". Looking up the street we saw Vickie Corum peeking in the Old Hooks Drug store checking out some dude who works there saying, "You're My Soul and Inspiration" and mumbling something about "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat"
Standing in front of Newberry’s was Bill Fuller, He asked 'Hey guys, have you seen' "Rainy Day Women #12 or 35?" I need to see them before I have a "Psychotic Reaction" and end up in the "Land Of A 1000 Dances" if you get my drift? We said we've seen "Cherry, Cherry","Carrie Ann" and,"Georgy Girl", but didn't know they had numbers?' We drove off agreeing, "Don't Mess With Bill."
We got stopped by the traffic light at Main and Broad in front of Beall’s, and we saw Steve Sexton coming out and we asked, 'wanna cruise Howard’s with us?' He said ‘Sure, "You Keep Me Hangin' On" and "Count Me In". About this time "Wooly Bully " came on the car radio. Nancy hopped out of the car and started "Dancing In The Street". With that, we took off real quick, "Wishin And Hopin" she doesn’t get run over.
When we passed the Courthouse, we saw Brad Trout, Freddy Smith and Tommy Eaton in their Army uniforms and thought, ‘Now, that's what a "Soldier Boy" should look like and felt "Respect" for them.
As we passed the Chew Chew we saw Wedge Carter and he wondered, ‘Can I catch a ride with the "King Of The Road"? "I Know A Place" where we can go get a Coke. This "Summer In The City" is so hot. We said,'it's only "98.6" Get in, you got any "Money?"
Cruising on down Broad we saw Steve Phillips and he called out, "I've Been Down In The Boondocks" and 'I need a ride' We asked "Do You Believe In Magic?", then try to catch the "Last Train To Clarksville."
As we turned into Howard’s we saw Dale and Brenda having a Mile High Burger and we said, 'Dale, "Treat Her Right" and remember "She Loves You". Brenda called back, "You Can't Hurry Love" and it's neat "When A Man Loves A Woman?" He's "My Guy."
Linda Watson was standing close by and said, 'they look' "So Happy Together". They are more than a "Day Tripper."
Sharron Logan agreed, "They have a Groovy Kind Of Love", and talking with Linda about their boyfriends, asked, "Where Did Our Love Go?"
Turning South out of Howard’s towards Crider’s Drive in, we came upon Larry Abrams having a Fieldhouse Special and some onion rings. We said, 'Larry, you look troubled'. He replied, 'I'm not "Johnny Be Good". I got in some trouble, so I have to "Keep On Running". The last time this happened, "I Fought The Law and The Law Won". We left saying, "Hang On Sloopy."
We drove on South by the Rose Bowl to see Monte Vincent and Judi New going in the door. We yelled out, "We hear you two are headed for the, "Chapel Of Love". You look "Just Like Romeo And Juliet"! "See Ya Later Alligator."
As we drove by the Sky Drome drive in theatre, we noticed that it was on the "Eve Of Destruction." A sign out front said, 'Watch for a new Arlans Department Store and Becker Bros. grocery soon.’ We turned into Frisches to see Deacon Cashdollar on duty. He said, "Slow Down" you're moving way too fast. We started to argue with him when he said, "I'm Telling You Now", 'cool it'! Keith then reached up and kissed ole Deac', who then broke Keitho’s little bottle of "Love Potion No.9". Keith said, "I'm Sorry". "I Can't Help Myself".
As we cruised Frisches looking for the "In Crowd" and trying to play the "The Game Of Love", we saw Rex Dishman shedding "96 Tears" trying to get a date. Rex said "You Don't Have To Love Me", just go out with me. "I Ain't Too Proud To Beg". "I'm So Lonesome I could Die." We drove off thinking, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'."
We finished the loop through Frisches and headed next door to Clyde Hatley’s Texaco station. We saw Jack Lee who said, 'Hey Geno, that engine is running rough'. 'No', I said, those are "Good Vibrations" under the hood of this "Little GTO". We just outran the "Little Ole Lady From Pasadena"! He called back, ‘When are you going to paint your car?’ ‘Soon’, I replied, ‘I'm going to "Paint It Black" because "I've Been Workin' In A Coal Mine". I don't want it to look like "A Yellow Submarine."
As we started to leave we saw Sharon Watson come running over towards us calling out to Keith, "I Wanna Hold Your Hand". He said, "Oh Pretty Woman", "Hold Me" "Because" 'I've had you, "In Dreams" "Since I Fell For You". "Have I The Right" to ask that?’
She replied, 'Darlin', "You Don't Own Me". What do you think I am, a "Devil with the Blue Dress on?"
We took off South towards Kenny Eaton’s Market, turned left up Trojan Lane, and as we drove by Baker Park, I asked Keith, 'Wanna get a sack of Harold’s Hamburgers?' He said, "Yes, I'm Ready", since we're "Homeward Bound". As we parked the car to go in we saw Dave Kirkpatrick coming out with a greasy sack full of cheeseburgers. We yelled, 'look out, your sacks gonna bust!' Dave answered back, 'no worry'! "Papas Got A Brand New Bag". So we said, 'Ok', "Cast Your Fate To The Wind".
We got our sack of burgers and decided to go the parking lot of 'The Worlds Largest High School Fieldhouse' to eat them. As we sat there stuffing ourselves and turning a "Whiter Shade of Pale" we talked about "The Birds and The Bees", wondering if we might be "Groovin" later that night. Keith said, "We Can Work It Out", or have our "19th Nervous Breakdown". 'I wonder', "What Becomes of The Broken Hearted?"
As we were about to finish up a great day in the summer of 1966, we saw a friendly face walking towards the car. Keith said, "I'll be doggone", it's our school teacher, Lanny Joe Wallen!’ Lanny spoke up.. " Whatta ya say, Geno?"
I said, 'It just doesn't get any better than this!’
"It's Only Rock and Roll and I Like It!"

Long live the Class of 1966
"And the beat goes on....."










BRV