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For one evening in November a few dozen of our club members went back to the 1960s during the time of the British Invasion. It was at our Happy Hour on Zoom with CJ the DJ and co-hosted by one of our very own OHCC's British imports, Kathryn Fitzwilliam, (along with David too, of course). Kathryn chose the music and brought us some of her photos and memories of growing up on the west side of London in the 1960s. Traditionally, British bands produced music that used to stay in Britain. However, in the 1960s, they topped the charts in America — hence, the "Invasion." We started the night with the band that got all our attention back in 1963, the Beatles with I Want to Hold Your Hand. Kathryn then set the scene as a teenager in London during the swinging 60s. "The Beatles were the biggest news and living in the suburbs of London was a great place to be. All the other major cities had their music scene and bands too, especially Liverpool. The biggest thrill of my young life was to be in the front row balcony on my 14th birthday to see the Beatles when they appeared on the most popular Sunday night TV variety show. The Rolling Stones played near where I lived and I saw them while crushed in a sweaty crowd up against the stage! The Beatles filmed Hard Day's Night at a local studio and we all went to try and see them film a scene on a field that I knew well — a shortcut to my grandparent's house. Bands including the Who, the Yardbirds with Eric Clapton, Manfred Man, The Swinging Blue Jeans, and the Animals were playing all over the area in small clubs, town halls, and a club that opened near my home. Rod Stewart was singing with a group too that did the local circuit before he hit the big time. Tickets were about $6.50 in today's money, not much, but I am sure with just a Saturday job and pocket money I could not go to too many shows." Our Zoom party continued with The House of the Rising Sun, Love Potion Number Nine, Downtown, Ferry Cross the Mersey, I'm Telling you Now, Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovelyn Daughter, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, Wild Thing, Bus Stop, and To Sir With Love. What will the Doo Wop and Disco Dance Club do next for fun with music from the 60s, 70s and 80s? We will keep you posted and hope in just a few months we will get to enjoy music together again. Stay safe! | OHCC LIVING | JANUARY 2021 | 13 Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time. Doo Wop

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