Yesterday morning after posting about the really fun old fart’s birthday party in a Newcastle barn, I decided to make it a stay at home day. One where I'd be lounging in pajamas, soaking in memories recalled with friends the evening before.
I had just hopped back into bed when I receive a text from my kid, Jill. “Are you busy this afternoon,” she asks? “I could be,” I responded. The texts became a phone discussion revealing she had 2 tickets to The Drifters, and she wanted to know if I wanted to go. Sure, why not. I really had nothing to do but finish digesting tacos I had consumed at the party the night before.
I had just hopped back into bed when I receive a text from my kid, Jill. “Are you busy this afternoon,” she asks? “I could be,” I responded. The texts became a phone discussion revealing she had 2 tickets to The Drifters, and she wanted to know if I wanted to go. Sure, why not. I really had nothing to do but finish digesting tacos I had consumed at the party the night before.
The Drifters were a popular R&B/soul doo-wop group who got their start back in the 1950s. While getting dressed, I wondered, can any of them even be alive.
I went through my teen years loving Drifter tunes, “Up On the Roof” and “Under the Boardwalk.” So, I asked few questions, traded PJs for suitable dress. Not long after, we were on our way to the Harris Center in Folsom.
I wondered, how on Earth my daughter had come into possession of those tickets? As it turned out, the mother of her friend had held Folsom Concert Association season tickets. She had died. And, the daughter couldn’t (or didn’t want to) attend.
While finding our seats, I clearly noticed the crowd looked very similar to company I had kept the day before, at the 80th birthday party for Bonnie and Tim. They were mostly silver haired folks. Some shuffled with canes, walkers, etc. Yep, they were my generation alright.
As it turns out The Drifters group members have evolved with time. None of the originals were present. Most had passed. However, one singer disclosed he’d been with the group for 31 years. I had to smile when he asked if we enjoyed being able to understand the words they sang – Not like music today. And, he reminded they were wearing their pants up around their waist, instead of halfway down their butt, like some today. He was into calmer and easier times of the past.
I must say today’s Drifters (they don’t identify as a tribute group) gave an amazing performance. I suspect they were all in their 70s or 80s. And, they moved, danced and sang while singing all the old Drifter songs.
One of the fun parts of the evening came while they performed the old Fats Domino tune, “Let’s Twist Again.” When I fixed my gaze on the old timers in the audience, who were twisting and bumping in their seats, all I could see was a waving sea of silver bobble heads – row after row of them. . .And, yes, I was one of them!
Oh, if you’re wondering what we had for dinner last night, I had more tacos, found at Mas TacoBar at the Palladio in Folsom. Good stuff!
Here’s a link to the original Drifters singing “Save the Last Dance For Me.”
No video or photos were allowed during last night’s performance.
No video or photos were allowed during last night’s performance.
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