What a lucky group of students, off to fly the friendly skies in 1951.
But what’s going on here? Such eye-catching colors, he can’t help but be distracted.
Braniff had some great non-sexist ads as well. Check out the colors and the artwork on these!
Aren’t those fun? I could look at travel posters for hours. Maybe I will.
You have to pronounce it with emphasis on the first syllable: GUI-tar. That’s how it’s said.
So here’s what confuses me on this (my I Don’t Get It moment). This looks like a 50s rock ‘n’ roll impromptu set in the commons, some ragtag gathering of rebellious devil music. But if this Texas yearbook is a 1951 edition, then the schoolyear was only ’50-’51, and the first legit rock hit wasn’t until 1955 with Bill Haley and the Comets’ (see the Comet connection?) hit “Rock Around The Clock.” It wasn’t even written until 1952.
Elvis was only 16 in 1951. Ritchie Valens a mere 10. So what was this kid doing with his guitar? Surely not playing these top ten hits of 1951.
| 1 | Nat King Cole | Too Young |
| 2 | Tony Bennett | Because Of You |
| 3 | Les Paul and Mary Ford | How High The Moon |
| 4 | Rosemary Clooney | Come On-a My House |
| 5 | Mario Lanza | Be My Love |
| 6 | Weavers | On Top Of Old Smoky |
| 7 | Tony Bennett | Cold, Cold Heart |
| 8 | Perry Como | If |
| 9 | Mario Lanza | Loveliest Night Of The Year |
| 10 | Patti Page | Tennessee Waltz |
Now the interwebs tell me that classic rock and roll is “usually played with one or two electric guitars (one lead, one rhythm), a string bass or (after the mid-1950s) an electric bass guitar, and a drum kit.” And I’m sure Mark the Music Man will know more about this than I. It just seems a bit early to go taking your first real six-string (if that’s what it is; I am ignorant) to school to serenade your peers, especially to play lame old people music. On top of old smoky…♫ ♫ ♫
Can you remember the last time you felt this overjoyed? This elated? I can’t. What on earth at this stage of your life could make you literally jump for joy and raise your hands in the air? Two points in basketball? Gas for $1.65? That’s what I filled up for this morning, peeps. Raise the roof on that one.
These are the four Spanish Club officers, who would probably not be happy that Conquistadores was misspelled in the yearbook.
However, their agenda confirmed the divertido that they were having. Mucho divertido!
These strapping lads (okay, these two strapping lads and Kenny) display the most useful part of their shot put competition. I myself have never cast stones, but I imagine it takes a strong back to do so. These Illinois boys of ’68 would surely not chance it now.
He’s got the pen, so he must be doling it out, but what is it? His digits? A prescription for antibiotics to treat an itchy rash? The name of a Sicilian hit man to take care of some unpleasant business? A list of television networks at the time?
Wow, you look like Wilson’s Airedale when he had the mange. – Wally Cleaver
Wally wouldn’t say that about this stylish gang in 1951. Although you won’t see many females rocking such short hairstyles nowadays, these fellows appear to have been plucked straight out of 2014.
I Don't Get It 