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.
Yearbook photographers may never receive any accolades (if they even get a mention in the yearbook at all), but boy howdy, have they snapped some fabulous images of day-to-day life.
Sharp-suited Sgt Franklin Williams enjoyed being on leave (and sharing a treat) with his best girl, Ellen Hardin, in Baltimore, 1942.
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.
I Don't Get It 