Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died the night of May 19, 1994 at her Manhattan apartment. Cause of death was non-Hodgkins lymphoma, which had been made public a few months earlier. Her death came one month after the death of former president Richard Nixon (who JFK defeated for president in 1960). Jackie's death is particularly memorable for me because it coincided with the death of my father.
Dad sufferred from a rare degenerative disease of the brain known as supranuclear palsy for about 10 years - the same condition actor Dudley Moore sufferred from. On Mother's Day he was hospitalized for a mild heart attack and two weeks later I visited him and my mother for the weekend. (Up until this hospital stay my mother had taken care of my father at home.)
I heard the news about Jackie's death (at the age of 64) during the 11:00 news while packing for my trip and I read more about it the next morning while waiting to board my flight to Pittsburgh at Newark Airport. On the last day of my visit Mom, Dad and I watched some of her funeral from Dad's hospital room. The next day, May 24, Dad died unexpectedly, two months shy of his 70th birthday. I returned to Pittsburgh the following day to help my brother, sister and mother with funeral preparations.
It was a mild but sort of hazy day. Rather than take the bus home from school (7th grade at Sto-Rox Middle School) I walked because I stopped by Frank's barbershop for a haircut. When I got home I saw that morning's paper, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, on the hassock in the living room.
On the front page was a photo (now iconic) of an overwrought young girl kneeling over the body of a student shot dead the day before at Kent State University by the Ohio National Guard. The shootings occurred during an anti-war demonstration protesting the U.S. invasion of Cambodia at the end of April. Guardsmen opened fire on students, killing four (pictured) and wounding nine. Although it was in neighboring Ohio, I had never heard of the university.
Perhaps because I was just 12 at the time (and somewhat preoccupied by the onset of puberty) I don't recall there being much talk about this incident among schoolmates or teachers, and at home we usually didn't discuss news events at the dinner table. But the constant coverage of the Vietnam War was plenty worrisome for my parents since my brother Darrell was nearing draft age. (A lasting memory of the war was hearing the weekly casualty report on the radio while I was getting ready for school.)
Once the protest song Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young became popular during the summer the incident had more resonance with me. The song begins with the line: "Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming, we're finally on our own. This summer I hear the drumming. Four dead in Ohio." (The CD Steal This Record provides a collection of some other notable protest songs from the 1960's). By the time I turned 18 in 1975 the U.S. was out of Vietnam (the fall of South Vietnam to the Communists occurred two weeks before my birthday) and teen boys were no longer required to register for the draft.
Ours was one of the first families in the neighborhood to get a color TV. It was a Magnavox and it was delivered at the beginning of the week. Today was Thursday, April 4, 1968 and I had just come in from playing in the backyard where I'd been having fun rolling around inside the TV's shipping box. (I was 10 years old at the time.) Now I was lying on the living room floor ready to watch The Flying Nun in living color for the first time.
However, shortly after it came on a news bulletin interrupted to report that civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. had been shot and killed while standing on the balcony of his motel room in Memphis. He was just 39 years old.
The next day, looking from our side porch, we could see smoke rising in the distance (about 10 miles away). It was from rioting in a predominantly black neighborhood in Pittsburgh known as the Hill District. (Riots had broken out across the country as a result of MLK's assassination.) Since we lived in a predominantly white community I didn't realize Pittsburgh had many black residents, at least not enough to have their own neighborhood.
Tuesday, April 9, was King's funeral in Atlanta and our schools were closed because of concerns that there might be trouble. I didn't watch the funeral but occasionally would catch a glimpse of the funeral procession on TV when I'd walk through the living room. For the most part I spent the day outside playing because the weather was nice & warm. This was my first exposure to the tumult of 1968 that was just getting underway.
(There are countless books and videos about the accomplishments of and controversies surrounding King, including an autobiography, the 1978 NBC mini-series King and the acclaimed PBS documentary from 2004 Citizen King.)
My grandmother, Margaret Cerovski (nee Revay), arrived in the U.S. from Czechoslovakia in September 1920 (she celebrated her 21st birthday while crossing the Atlantic). After being processed at Ellis Island she continued on to Pittsburgh where her brother Michael lived (their 11 brothers and sisters remained back in the "old country").
After she and my grandfather (from the Croatian region of Yugoslovia) became citizens in the 1930's Grandma thought about visiting her family because her mother was in declining health. She also wanted to take my mother and uncle, who were teenagers, with her. However, Czechoslovakia was being slowly partitioned by Nazi Germany and Slovakia, the eastern region of the country my grandmother was from, was agitating for its independence. For these reasons my grandfather wouldn't allow Grandma to take Mom & Uncle George. And then today in 1939 Czechoslovakia's beleaguered president (pictured with Hitler) signed over the country to Hitler and the thought of Grandma even visiting by herself ended. WWII would begin 6 months later.
Although she never visited her homeland Grandma kept in touch with her brothers and sisters. She was the middle child but managed to outlive all of her siblings and died in 1999 just 6 months shy of her 100th birthday.
I graduated from Penn State University on March 3 1979 but the occasion wasn't tied to any momentous historical event. Rather, my commencement took place at the height of the disco dancing frenzy sweeping the nation. At the time it seemed that Top-40 radio was playing nothing but wall-to-wall disco, e.g. songs such as YMCA; I Will Survive; Shake Your Groove Thing; Le Freak; and Do Ya Think I'm Sexy just to name a few. The Village People (whose first LP I bought in the spring of 1978) even appeared on the the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
After a celebratory lunch in State College with my parents, brother and sister, rather than return home to Pittsburgh I went east with my brother to his place in Bayonne, NJ. (It would serve as my home base while I went on job interviews in Manhattan for a position in advertising.) As we drove he played a cassette he had made from the wildly popular New York disco station WKTU. As I caught a glimpse of the Manhattan skyline at sunset Sister Sledge's song He's the Greatest Dancer came on the air.
Four months later a backlash to disco music began, largely a reaction by listeners with more rock-oriented musical tastes (and who helped make My Sharona a big hit later that summer). It was epitomized by "Disco Demolition Night" at Chicago's Comiskey Park on July 12 when a riot ensued after thousands of disco records were blown up as part of a radio station promotion (between games of a doubleheader). However, gay, black and Latin audiences, who first embraced disco music in underground clubs in the early 1970's, would continue to do so for years to come as it evolved into hybrids such as Eurodisco, hi-NRG and electronica.
Anyone who had a teenage sister probably has memories similar to mine when the Beatles made their first American TV appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, i.e. shreiking, screaming, perhaps even sobbing. I was in the first grade at the time and on that Sunday evening in the winter of 1964 I was sitting in the living room behind my 13-year old sister Linda who was seated on the floor in front of the TV set. Occasionally I'd look up from my coloring book. Even if I wasn't interested how could I not look up at what was creating such a commotion?
Even before this telecast I was aware that the Beatles were a big deal. (I remember my mother returning from a shopping trip to downtown Pittsburgh and bringing back the Beatles' first LP, Meet the Beatles, for Linda.) I was just 6 years old at the time and completely unaware of any same-sex inclinations, yet I remember thinking that Paul was cute. (When I turned 13 and preparing for my Confirmation I wanted my Confirmation name to be Paul, but instead I was talked into choosing George, which had family significance.)
Of course, the telecast drew a huge audience. Today, nearly 50 years later, its 45.3 household rating still ranks as one of the 25 highest rated telecasts of all time. (Nowadays only the Super Bowl gets that kind of rating.) The following week the Beatles made a second appearance on Sullivan's show and it provided another ratings bonanza. (The complete telecasts are available on Ed Sullivan: The Beatles' Telecasts. Additionally, a documentary by Albert & David "Grey Gardens" Maysles, The Beatles 1st US Visit, is also avaialble.)
Although viewing choices in the primitive 1960's were limited to just three broadcast networks they produced an abundance of programs to choose from when reminiscing about favorites. And what I remember best about some shows isn't necessarily individual episodes but, rather, peripheral aspects - which I've written about below.
I'd be getting ready for bed when the Andy Griffith Show aired on Monday evenings. Funny, but what I associate most with the show is a commercial for Maxwell House coffee that seemed to air every episode. It showed coffee starting to perk in the little window atop the coffee pot and a catchy jingle derived from the sound of the rhythmic perking would begin to play.
The Pruitts of Southamption was a way-wacky, and short-lived, sitcom that aired on ABC during the 1966-67 season starring Phyllis Diller. It's seared into my brain because of its surreal, so-bad-it's good opening. Interestingly, 20 years later my friend Marina moved to Southampton and opened a bed and breakfast there that I'd visit regularly.
Petticoat Junction was a CBS sitcom that aired on Tuesday evenings, coming on just as my mother was leaving for her bowling league. During the show's opening credits I was fascinated by the big water tank in which the three daughters were either swimming or bathing in. I always wondered how deep the water was - and whether the girls were skinny dipping.
The Addams Family and Patty Duke Show aired on Friday nights on ABC and when they were over I'd take a drive with my parents into downtown Pittsburgh to drop-off a stack of weekly football contests at the Pittsburgh Press/Post-Gazette building.
Although I was only 7 or 8 I had a pre-conceived notion that Brooklyn wasn't a great place to live so I was intrigued that Patty Lane's family lived in Brooklyn Heights - which seemed like a very nice place. Both shows had classic theme songs, and one of my all-time favorite lines is Patty Duke's - "A hot dog makes her lose control". I don't know what it says about my family but we preferred The Addams Family over The Munsters.
The Mod Squad was another show with a great opening. I was winded by the time Pete, Peggy and Link completed their run through that dark & dank tunnel. Even 40+ years later the theme song doesn't seem dated - and it can be great for inspiring a sprint when you're on the treadmill!
When thinking of the CBS sitcom Family Affair many think of Anissa Jones, the child actress who played Buffy and who died from a drug overdose as a teenager in the mid-70s, but I first think of the twinkling crystal chandelier from the opening credits. And even though I was just 10 years old I was curious about the relationship between Uncle Bill and Mr. French (his "gentleman's gentleman"), especially when he'd draw his bath.
I was never a fan of the Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres or Gilligan's Island - perhaps because they were a bit too zany or ironic for my prepubescent brain. However, I did love the opening of Green Acres. Intererstingly, when I'd occasionally catch a repeat of the show as an adult I appreciated Arnold the pig. Another show I wasn't too keen on was the Brady Bunch. However, I really got a kick out of the two movies from the 1990's that spoofed the show.
A long-forgotten show from the late 60's - Here Come the Brides - had a catchy easy-listening theme song which made it onto Billboard's top 40. This one-hour show wasn't quite a Western or a sitcom although it had elements of both. Set in the Pacific Northwest in the 1860's it told the story of a lumber mill owner who brought marriageable women from Massachusetts to serve as potential brides for the lumberjacks. It introduced Bobby Sherman and David Soul before they became pop idols. Also featured was 1930's actress Joan Blondell as Lottie, the owner of the local saloon who also watched over the girls (unbeknownst to benighted viewers she was probably a "madam".).
Finally, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In was a jolt of electricity and watching it Monday night was a great way to start the week. I loved the Farkles and all of Lily Tomlin's characters (e.g. Ernestine, Edith Ann, the Terribly Sophisticated Lady) and I got a kick impersonating some of the characters in front of schoolmates. Besides the regular cast the show also featured a cavalcade of stars who'd make cameos throughout each show (e.g. John Wayne, Sammy Davis, Jr., Raquel Welch). Its over-caffeinated pace was a pre-cursor to the MTV era.
I was suffering from a bad cold the night All in the Family debuted on CBS. For much of the show I was in the kitchen making hot tea with honey and preparing a somewhat flammable throat wrap coated with Vicks VapoRub which I heated over one of the burners of the stove. Because of these preparations I wasn't paying full attention to the program. However, I do remember the warning that came on before the show began about its content. Although I was 13 at the time I didn't worry about my parents changing the channel since Tuesday was my mother's bowling night and dad was dozing in his recliner.
During its first season All in the Family aired on Tuesday but in its second season the show moved to Saturday where it ran for four seasons. It was part of Saturday's legendary lineup along with The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Bob Newhart and Carol Burnett. Some lasting memories I have include Edith going through menopause (a new concept for me) and hearing Archie refer to blacks as "jungle bunnies" (also a first). I watched the show regularly during its first four seasons but that ended once I went away to college. However, this spared me the pain of watching the episode in which Edith died.
The show ushered in a new era in TV in which controversial and political subject matter was addressed. And viewers embraced it - All in the Family became the first TV show to be #1 in the ratings for five consecutive seasons (later joined by Cosby and American Idol). It also begat Maude and The Jeffersons. Indeed, those were the days!
Until this year my hometown Pittsburgh Steelers had a long history of losing. This season, however, they finished with a solid winning record (11-3) and made it to the playoffs. On this Saturday afternoon the Oakland Raiders were in Pittsburgh playing the Steelers in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. While the game was being played I was out collecting payment from customers of my morning paper route (the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). Since it was Christmas, instead of the usual 25-50 cent tips, I was collecting tips in the stratospheric $2 to $5 range.
When I returned home the game was on the radio and it didn't look good as the Raiders had a 7-6 lead late in the game. Then in a flash the tables were turned as a pass by Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw bounced off the intended receiver and landed in the hands of Steelers rookie (and NFL Rookie of the Year) Franco Harris just before it reached the ground. He scooped it up and scooted 60 yards for the game winning touchdown with less than 20 seconds remaining. However, it took five minutes before Harris' catch was confirmed by officials as a legitimate reception. It was even more confusing if you weren't watching on TV as was our case since the game was blacked out in Pittsburgh.
Even today it seems unbelievable that this catch happened. And although the Steelers season ended the next week when they lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins it was the beginning of the Steelers becoming one of the most successful and widely followed teams in the nation. (To immerse yourself fully in "Steelers Nation" lore the book The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Pittsburgh Steelersis a good starting point.)
I heard the news of Walt Disney's death on the car radio as my family and I were driving home after doing grocery and Christmas shopping. He was only 65 years old but since I was just 9 that seemed pretty old to me. You might think a young child would be disturbed by this news, especially coming so close to Christmas, but I don't recall being upset. Perhaps it was because I was excited by the weather forecast for the next day predicting a snowstorm for the Pittsburgh area. Alas, it didn't materialize but further east the Mid-Atlantic states got a good amount of snow.
3 days after Disney's death my attention shifted to Dr. Seuss whose animated holiday special How the Grinch Stole Christmas aired for the very first time on CBS. Like A Charlie Brown Christmas (which had its first telecast the year before) The Grinch would also become a holiday classic for the ages.
(The book Walt Disney: Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler is one of a number of in-depth biographies of Disney, but Gabler has the distinction of being the first writer to be given complete access to the Disney archives.)
