How a snappy tune turned into a theme! Plus, how a 29-year-old "Ayyyyyy"-list actor turned a high school student with a leather jacket and an attitude into an alloy statue in a city known for suds.
For anyone thinking about where to go on their summer vacation, Milwaukee (and WI in general) are worthy candidates. It's also close Door County, Green Bay (the tours of Lambeau are cool even if you're not a Packers fan), and even Chicago. To bring it back to music, Summerfest starts at the end of June, and there truly is something for everyone!
Holy Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Alexander! Nicely done!
I'll even drop the Summerfest lineup for our readers! https://www.summerfest.com/lineup/ You'll see a banner loading when you log on, that says, "Loading Performers." I was hoping to see a reel of backstage rock bands warmly welcoming the Schlitz truck, while also lighting up various size joints. Imagine my disappointment when they just had a list of artists playing the 'Fest! *sigh*
The kids, of course, are well represented, but the "older generation" is given its due, as well, with names like James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett, Elvis, Sheryl Crow, EWF, Smokey Robinson, Styx, Tesla (what...we stare at an EV for an hour?), Cheap Trick, and a band called "Beach Weather"-hey, I think I have that Bath & Body Works Shower Gel!
Dang, Kevin....you may see ME at this thing! I haven't seen a lineup this huge since the annual Sumo wrestlers softball game last summer!
Cool link....I ran across that factoid in my research, but "HD" and its genesis was tempting to get into, as were the resultant spin-off series, "Laverne & Shirley," Chachi this and Joanie that, etc ad infinitum!! But, it was tempting! Thanks again, Michael!
She was a sweetie as you'd hope and expect. I met her only briefly, and wish I could've spent more time with her, but she was invited to the project her co-worker, Lloyd, was working on (with my bro) in the early '80s, about 7 years after "Brady Bunch" had wrapped production.
This is an amazing story, Dave, and is actually made even more "contemporary," as I saw Lloyd just 5 years ago, and got an up-date on a few things that make up the heart of the story!
I wish I was around in my current role as a Scholarship Coach to help you during your long and storied college run! I could have saved you some money!
I grew up in the Happy Days sweet spot, where I watched every weekday in reruns and also enjoyed the new episodes in prime time. It's still one of my favorite shows, and I recently finished a full series re-watch (before MeTV removed it from their lineup).
I've never been to Milwaukee, so I've not seen the Fonz statue. But I have visited 2 other TV Land statues: The Andy Griffith monument in Mt. Airy, NC, and the Bob Newhart statue in Chicago. Both are well worth a visit.
Great comment, Dave! Thanks for all the cool memories and feels! As for my college days...'twas my Dad, bless him, who ponied up the dough for my mid-'80s return as a soph, in my pursuit of my BA and cert as a Director of Christian Ed (youth minister)....as a "non-trad" student, grants and financial aid was available in spades, and on check-in days, every new semester, while others were carrying checks written in the thousands, I only ever had to pay hundreds, and Dad came through every time! Plus, I had "work study" in the Admissions Office, which I dug!
I envy your visits to the Newhart, and (especially) the Andy/Mt. Airy museum and area! Lucy's and Mary's respective statues/memorials I'd love to visit, too!
As a "Happy Days" fan, you may enjoy my upcoming summer series (for Paid Subscribers only), and one story in particular....the one incorporating "The Brady Bunch"---how I came to know writer and producer, Lloyd Schwartz (whose dad, Sherwood, created "TBB" and "Gilligan's Island"), and how his friendship led to my meeting Maureen McCormick, and more specifically, how my brother and "the notorious actor," John Wilkes Booth were involved with all the above!!
Thanks again, Dave....great to have you not only on board, but chiming in regularly! Stay tuned! Our summer schedule will have NO re-runs!😁👍📺
Thank you for the kind words!
For anyone thinking about where to go on their summer vacation, Milwaukee (and WI in general) are worthy candidates. It's also close Door County, Green Bay (the tours of Lambeau are cool even if you're not a Packers fan), and even Chicago. To bring it back to music, Summerfest starts at the end of June, and there truly is something for everyone!
Holy Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Alexander! Nicely done!
I'll even drop the Summerfest lineup for our readers! https://www.summerfest.com/lineup/ You'll see a banner loading when you log on, that says, "Loading Performers." I was hoping to see a reel of backstage rock bands warmly welcoming the Schlitz truck, while also lighting up various size joints. Imagine my disappointment when they just had a list of artists playing the 'Fest! *sigh*
The kids, of course, are well represented, but the "older generation" is given its due, as well, with names like James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett, Elvis, Sheryl Crow, EWF, Smokey Robinson, Styx, Tesla (what...we stare at an EV for an hour?), Cheap Trick, and a band called "Beach Weather"-hey, I think I have that Bath & Body Works Shower Gel!
Dang, Kevin....you may see ME at this thing! I haven't seen a lineup this huge since the annual Sumo wrestlers softball game last summer!
Lol. Awesome.
I was trying to recall the connection between American Graffiti and Happy Days and came across this:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/66330/14-nostalgic-facts-about-happy-days
Interesting
Cool link....I ran across that factoid in my research, but "HD" and its genesis was tempting to get into, as were the resultant spin-off series, "Laverne & Shirley," Chachi this and Joanie that, etc ad infinitum!! But, it was tempting! Thanks again, Michael!
The story about Maureen will be worth the price of admission. One of my childhood crushes!
She was a sweetie as you'd hope and expect. I met her only briefly, and wish I could've spent more time with her, but she was invited to the project her co-worker, Lloyd, was working on (with my bro) in the early '80s, about 7 years after "Brady Bunch" had wrapped production.
This is an amazing story, Dave, and is actually made even more "contemporary," as I saw Lloyd just 5 years ago, and got an up-date on a few things that make up the heart of the story!
I wish I was around in my current role as a Scholarship Coach to help you during your long and storied college run! I could have saved you some money!
I grew up in the Happy Days sweet spot, where I watched every weekday in reruns and also enjoyed the new episodes in prime time. It's still one of my favorite shows, and I recently finished a full series re-watch (before MeTV removed it from their lineup).
I've never been to Milwaukee, so I've not seen the Fonz statue. But I have visited 2 other TV Land statues: The Andy Griffith monument in Mt. Airy, NC, and the Bob Newhart statue in Chicago. Both are well worth a visit.
Fun article today!
Great comment, Dave! Thanks for all the cool memories and feels! As for my college days...'twas my Dad, bless him, who ponied up the dough for my mid-'80s return as a soph, in my pursuit of my BA and cert as a Director of Christian Ed (youth minister)....as a "non-trad" student, grants and financial aid was available in spades, and on check-in days, every new semester, while others were carrying checks written in the thousands, I only ever had to pay hundreds, and Dad came through every time! Plus, I had "work study" in the Admissions Office, which I dug!
I envy your visits to the Newhart, and (especially) the Andy/Mt. Airy museum and area! Lucy's and Mary's respective statues/memorials I'd love to visit, too!
As a "Happy Days" fan, you may enjoy my upcoming summer series (for Paid Subscribers only), and one story in particular....the one incorporating "The Brady Bunch"---how I came to know writer and producer, Lloyd Schwartz (whose dad, Sherwood, created "TBB" and "Gilligan's Island"), and how his friendship led to my meeting Maureen McCormick, and more specifically, how my brother and "the notorious actor," John Wilkes Booth were involved with all the above!!
Thanks again, Dave....great to have you not only on board, but chiming in regularly! Stay tuned! Our summer schedule will have NO re-runs!😁👍📺