“I’ve Told Every Little Star” by Linda Scott (1961).
Today’s special guest blogger: my mom Brenda, visting from Salem, MA.
(Me, 1965?)
43 years ago, myself and four chicks from Marblehead High School in Massachusetts decided to put together a girls’ band – Heaven’s Devils (what a stupid name). Barbara Eyges on guitar, Joanne Bravos also on guitar, Adin Person on drums, and Merry Toll and I sang. Adin had never played drums before but became a great drummer with the help of the drummer from a local band — Scotty and the Henchmen. We practiced in Barbara’s basement for many weeks.
Heaven’s Devils only played four songs: “House of the Rising Sun” by the Animals, “I Will Follow Him” by Little Peggy March, “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks, and today’s song, “I’ve Told Every Little Star” by Linda Scott. Can you imagine hearing the same four songs every week? It was gross! But the kids loved it. White go-go boots and black skirts… C’mon, we’re talking over 40 years ago. We were very cool. We sang with pride even though I wasn’t sure I sounded so good.
We played every Friday night at “Teen Town” at the Marblehead YMCA — it was the place to be. Everyone loved it. We got to play during Scotty and The Henchmen’s breaks and had a blast. The dances were held on the top floor of the Y, which had old wooden floors, lots of windows (that we had to open because we used to sweat so much from dancing), and was really spacious.
One evening a bunch of us decided to have cocktails before we went to the dance. We were 17 – oops! We drank vodka and Wink. Does that still exist? Because I never want to see it again after that night. We all threw up for hours after the dance on the golf course (because we figured no one would find us there).
Many years later when Dan graduated from high school and I was President of the PTF, we organized an all night party after his Senior Prom. It was held at the same YMCA, which I had not been to since 1966. I couldn’t wait to run up to the top floor to see the place where my band had played. I looked in and saw this old, small, kinda scary room. The ceiling seemed so low. How did we dance and jump around in this tiny place??????
My high school class is planning our 45th reunion. We are looking for entertainment. I wonder… should Heaven’s Devils make a comeback?
(Dan & I, 2009)
If you like this, try: this film of me singing over 40 years ago!
