The Column of Life

1963 and it’s gay adolescent hormone time. On the radio is “When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes.” It has that Bo Diddley afro-cuban rhythm that is pervasive in so much adrenaline inducing music. It was also that period in Motown turntable hits when the hit factory was also inspired by Gospel influenced muse and the sound is very big for the three minutes or so that it emanates from a transistor radio. It is also the first time the Four Tops sing with The Supremes supplying a huge masculine call back feral sound during the musical bridge that couldn’t possibly come from Florence or Mary. The idea that some guy would give someone “the eye” was a very titillating prospect indeed and illegal if you are a fifteen year old boy in 1963. The ensuing summers were full of Motown and big hits from The Supremes among other great songs, raging hormones and unfulfilled desires. Segue a mere twelve years later to San Francisco. Along with Supremes those of us who are living in the l...

1963 and it’s gay adolescent hormone time. On the radio is “When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes.” It has that Bo Diddley afro-cuban rhythm that is pervasive in so much adrenaline inducing music. It was also that period in Motown turntable hits when the hit factory was also inspired by Gospel influenced muse and the sound is very big for the three minutes or so that it emanates from a transistor radio. It is also the first time the Four Tops sing with The Supremes supplying a huge masculine call back feral sound during the musical bridge that couldn’t possibly come from Florence or Mary. The idea that some guy would give someone “the eye” was a very titillating prospect indeed and illegal if you are a fifteen year old boy in 1963. The ensuing summers were full of Motown and big hits from The Supremes among other great songs, raging hormones and unfulfilled desires. Segue a mere twelve years later to San Francisco. Along with Supremes those of us who are living in the l...