Samantha Juste Dolenz RIP.
Samantha Juste Dolenz: 1944-5.2.14
Photo (c) Unknown.
Every now and again something makes you stop and take stock.
Today I was sad to hear of the death of Samantha Juste Dolenz – ex-wife of The Monkees drummer and ex Circus Boy actor, Mickey Dolenz.
Samantha was a former model and Top Of The Pops presenter.
Not a major player on the stage of politics, human rights ,or anything which would warrant a lot of attention from me normally; I don’t consider myself that shallow.
I don’t often get upset about the demise of a celebrity; mega-star, super-star or any other star. For some reason the death of Samantha Juste has upset me a lot.
The look and the era.
Photo of Jane Risdon (c) 1968
She was quite a bit older than me but even so the image she projected was similar to the one I saw every day in the mirror and so did many other girls at that time. The hair, the eye make-up, the pale lips and innocent, wide-eyed look., the clothes, the music we shared.
You could not have lived through the 1960’s in England (Britain) without knowing about her.
A teenage model – a peer of Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton (The Shrimp) and along with Peter Frampton (The Herd) – Samantha was a Face of the 1960’s. Another icon if you like ,for teenage girls growing up with the whole ‘Swinging Sixties,’ thing. Cathy McGowan, Dusty Springfield, Marianne Faithful and Cher.
All strong, high-profile women in the post-war grey male dominated world that we had been growing up in.
A presenter: every week we were glued to Top Of The Pops (TOTP) waiting to see what she was going to wear, how her hair and make-up would look and which bands were going to be on the show – THE music show on TV.
She played the records; loaded the turn-table and pressed the ON switch so that the bands appearing on the show could mime to the music. Back in those days miming was acceptable; later – thankfully – the bands performed live.
We had grown up wearing our parent’s clothes, listening to their music and living life as a copy of them in almost every way.
Suddenly we had BBC Radio One – I’ll never forget hearing The Move and ‘Flowers in the Rain,’ played by Tony Blackburn as Radio One went live for the first time. Until then I had listened to Radio Luxemburg, Radio London, Radio Caroline – the Pirate Radio Stations anchored off-shore and under threat of being pulled off the air at any time.
We had POP magazines and Fan magazines aimed at young teenage girls. Music, fashion, celebrities (not in the sense of the word today ; much milder), and lots of gorgeous boys to ogle and dream about. Boys with long hair. Boys in tight trousers. Boys wearing make-up and clothes similar to those we females wore. It was all so strange, so exciting and very, very, dangerous.
We felt we could relate to them even though our lives were not glamorous in the way their lives were.
Samantha and Mickey attended The Summer Of Love; they were there. They knew The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Beach Boys, The Stones and so many others we mooned over.
They lived the exciting life we all seemed to yearn after.
I was at school and confined all week in a drab navy blue uniform and tie. We girls would roll the below knee pleated skirts over and over at the waist to make them in to Mini skirts. We tied ribbons in our lace-up shoes in place of laces.
We wore Max Factor Foundation to make ourselves pale and interesting.
We tried to get away with mascara and eyeliner but never wore lipstick. We had to look ghostly. Hair was long and we peered out from fringes which covered our eyes.
Whatever Samantha, Twiggy, Cathy McGowan, Cher or Dusty wore, we copied. Knee length white lace-up boots, kaftans and micro mini skirts. Hipster trousers and skinny ribbed jumpers with polo necks and cut-away arms.
Platform shoes, midi skirts with waistcoats, and frilled blouses complete with cameo brooches.
Carnaby Street led us and I know I dreamed of shopping there at the same time The Kinks or The Who were shopping there. They’d see me – my life would change.
It was expensive and I had to earn money by doing paper-rounds, babysitting and working in a Dry Cleaners. After-all £5 for a psychedelic patterned dress in silk was a small fortune back then.
Rushing home on a Thursday to watch TOTP was so exciting. Of course, it depended on what The Beatles or The Rolling Stones had been up to in The Press, whether or not I was allowed to watch it.
My parents believed The Beatles and The Stones were the representatives of the Devil on earth and if they’d been caught doing something a little ‘naughty,’ or shown surrounded by screaming, fainting girls, wearing anything outrageous, draped in beautiful women, then the chances were that TOTP would not be on the evening’s viewing agenda.
We experienced bands and singers from America; we were in over-load.
Sunday afternoons could be spent at The Empire Pool, Wembley, surrounded by screaming girls and being deafened by NME (New Musical Express) magazine Poll Winners in concert. Every major band and artist appeared there. We could see several at one time for £1.
We were over-loaded with change; freedom, music, fashion, politics. Vietnam was an issue where Korea had never really gripped the imagination of the youth of the 1950’s. There were riots in Paris, the Russians invaded Czechoslovakia later in the decade. It was all happening.
People like Samantha didn’t change the world. She didn’t bring about peace or the end of The Cold War – we were growing up with the threat of Nuclear annihilation don’t forget – and apart from sitting looking pretty on the TV, she didn’t feed the starving or run for Parliament – that I know of.
But she was part of a seismic shift that teenager girls in England (Britain) felt during the Sixties. In her own small way she was an icon along with so many other ‘celebrity,’ females; suddenly visible, high-profile, colourful and exciting and who didn’t look like their mothers and grandmothers, who seemed to be taking charge of their lives, who didn’t need a man to make them feel complete. Women who wanted to forge careers for themselves, for whom a husband and mother-hood was not the be-all and end-all.
Yet reading tributes to her today I am struck that her warmest come from those who knew her as a daughter, a wife, a mother and a grand-mother. She left the lime-light a long time ago and although I didn’t keep track of her life, I often thought of her.
I recalled her when co-writing a novel about those times and I thought I’d share this passage with you. It mentions her. I never thought I would be thinking of her in the past tense. When I wrote this she was as vivid to me as she was on a Thursday evening, when TOTP music came on and she would be sitting next to one of the super-star DJ’s.
Samantha met Mickey Dolenz at TOTP – his band The Monkees were often on the show. I’ve never been a huge fan of The Monkees, then or now, but when Davy Jones passed away not so long ago, I felt sad, but not as sad as I feel today.
It has hit me hard. Life is spinning away from us and time is passing.
I hope you enjoy this extract and that for those of you who recall Samantha, it might have a deeper meaning.
Extract from WIP (c) Jane Risdon 2012
Trying not to look at the two bearded beauties again I stood up, smoothed
my new purple Samantha Juste hipsters and tucked my pink skinny rib into
them. I wandered towards the wallpaper table and what was left of the food;
a few soft looking sausage rolls and a couple of scotch eggs which had
probably been sitting out for hours and I didn’t fancy the look of them. A few
packets of Smith’s crisps and some peanuts was the alternative. I grabbed a
packet and a handful of nuts and tucked in for a few moments whilst I
studiously avoided the lovers on the cushions.
What a dump! The band seemed to live in part of an old house which
looked derelict from what I could see as we came in. There wasn’t any
furniture to speak of, just old packing cases for tables and piles of cushions
and bean bags on the red thread-bare carpet. At least, I think that was the
colour but it was hard to tell in the candle light coming from the Mateus Rose
bottles dotted round the room.
The light flickered on the Che Guevara and Ban the Bomb posters and
gave them a bit of a sinister look. Very anti-establishment here – Dad would
go nuts. Distorted shadows fell on the couples lying around, mostly snogging
or smoking; a few were standing swaying to the music from the Philips
Cassette player in the corner. I was saving up for one I’d seen in
Rumbelows.
It was going to take another month to have enough and I hoped it wouldn’t
be gone by then. I should never have got the Cathy McGowan mini with the
zip up the front like Twiggy often wears; it was far too expensive and had left me without
any money until the end of the month. I hadn’t even had chance to wear it yet
because I was trying to hide it from Mum until she was in a good mood –
whenever that was going to be I had no idea. I earn the money for my
clothes so I don’t see why I can’t wear what I want. But no, she has to
inspect me every time I leave the house, lecturing about what I ’m wearing;
too short, too long, too much leg showing – moan, moan, moan.
The dress is gorgeous though; paisley pink, sleeveless and with a fab
mandarin collar – very sexy – and with my long white lace-up boots I am
going to blow Scott’s brains out when he sees me in it.
‘Hi babe, what’s your name?’ I turned to see a tall skinny bloke with long
black hair and a pair of lime green bell-bottoms grinning at me, cigarette
dangling from his rather thick lips. I peered hard at him and then realised he
was one of the guitarists in the band supporting Scott’s band.
‘Saw you at the gig tonight,’ he added flicking his ash away.
‘Erm, yeah.’ I said looking for Scott, trapped between the table and the
guitarist who kept blowing sweet-smelling smoke at me. I felt sick from it.
‘How about you and me then babe?’ He moved up close to me and put an
arm round my waist. He smelled of Old Spice. I can’t stand Old Spice.
‘I’m with my boyfriend.’ I said lamely as I wriggled away from him.
‘Don’t look like it from here babe.’ He said as he grabbed me again. ‘Let’s
go over there and get to know each other.’ He tried to pull me into the
shadows.
To be continued…..actually the book is finished and ready to go soon.
Photo (c) Jane Risdon 1968 of Jane Risdon 1968
Samantha Juste Dolenze Photo (c) Unknown. All Rights of the Owner Reserved.
Categories: Blog
Jane Risdon 
A lovely tribute that also casts a light on a bygone era.
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Reblogged this on Jane Risdon and commented:
4 years have passed since Samantha Juste passed away. Remembering her today.
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Thanks for the snapshot of life back then, Jane. At the time, I was growing up close to San Francisco. Ran a light show for a small-time local club and my best friend had a band, so I was their equipment manager and sound guy. Can’t tell you how many times I was told to either get a haircut or move out of the house. LOL. Reading your remembrance brought a lot of it back for me. THANKS!
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I am sure it did. Happy times though. I love San Fran..we recorded an album over at Fantasy and came back many times on tour. Did a concert in Alcatraz when we took it over for a day and night and partied like crazy. Oh well. (good song by the way). 🙂
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Went to primary school with Sandra Slater as she was then. Already at eight or nine she was different
always beautifully dressed and coltish. She had lovely long brown plaits was very quiet with a winning smile. I think even then all the girls in the class wanted to be like her.
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It’s amazing the impact she had – nothing you can put your finger upon, but I can imagine you’d all want to be like her even at such an early age. Do you have any memories you might like to share? Without revealing too much of course. There are quite a few here who would love to know more about her then. Thanks for being her, appreciated. Amazing to think a year has passed already.
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She was beautiful. What a nice tribute to her you wrote. I wanted to come over and thank you so much for following my blog yesterday. I’m sorry I couldn’t get over sooner. Thank you for your faith in me. Nice meeting you.
Janice
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Janice, it is a pleasure meeting you and finding your blog too. I was pleased the reaction to my piece about Samantha has been good. Even her friends left messages and comments which was nice. I don’t know why but she touched hearts and mine as a teenager. Through my post I have become FB friends with Cathy McGowan, another 60’s icon which has been wonderful. Let’s chat again soon. Lovely to know you Jane x
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It was a very special time for everyone. You captured it well. Thank you for this treat even thought it was inspired by Samantha’s passing.
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Oh thanks so much for your kind words. It was a special time and I guess being a teen back then she had a huge impact for so many reasons. So many of her own friends commented on the piece also which was special and Cathy McGowan read it and became my friend on Facebook as a result. Elvis had the same impact as did Rock Hudson and James Garner and Howard Keel…amazing for an old metal fan I know! Have a fab day. Wayne’s Journal is so interesting, especially as I do family research as well and have managed to reunite family from all over the globe who’d lost contact. Satisfying. 🙂 Happy Easter 🙂
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Sad news. Loved The Monkees!
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I know, very sad but there have been some wonderful comments about her from friends who knew her (on my piece) which shows she had a full and happy life 🙂
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It’s always sad to see someone we knew, whether up close or from afar, leave this world. You write about it quite well, Jane. Thanks for sharing it with those who remember that musical era and those to whom you’ve introduced it.
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I am glad you enjoyed it – just one of those things that hit home suddenly – especially when approaching another birthday! Thanks so much for commenting, appreciate your visit. Pop in again soon 🙂
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Many thanks. A few of her personal friends have commented on here too. End of an era. Another birthday and another year…seem to be going fast now 🙂
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Jane,
First of all, I wanted to say thanks for liking my post “Harvesting Rainwater”. It prompted me to go to your blog to see what you did, and the post that caught my attention was the one above about
Samantha. As an American I hadn’t heard of Samantha growing up, but everything else you wrote about really touched me– the 60’s and what we wore, the music, the seismic shift in the zeitgeist, etc…
The comments and your replies to the comments were also worthwhile. I definitely relate to the feeling of getting older without knowing quite how it happened, and the feeling of shock when reading in the obituaries about people whose image is forever young in our memory (like Davy Jones)–people we thought would never die.
Well done.
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Thanks so much for your reply to my post about Samantha Juste Dolenz. I’ve been all over the show recently so if I have already replied, forgive me. I am really happy you enjoyed it. I was so touched (unexpectedly) by her passing I felt I had to write about it. I’ve had some lovely comments – seems to have struck a chord with so many – and two have come from people who knew her well. An old flat mate of hers from the 1960’s and someone who knew her in later years. I am happy to pass on the fact that both loved her a lot and that she was a happy person, fulfilled and with a loving family and a busy life in her latter years. She makes me smile even writing this. Thanks so much for your visit and comment and I do hope we chat on here again soon. Good luck with your blog too. 🙂
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Dear Sam, I loved her dearly – her innocent beauty – those wide wide eyes – she was just as beautiful inside as out. I have been surfing the internet ever since I accidentally came accross the announcement of her death two days ago whilst looking up something else on the internet and felt there was so much information missing about her life. I did not know if she had been happy or not and what had happened to her after her divorce. Something inside me desperately needed to know and now I find that she was loved and cared for and am so relieved. Also, that she died before her time some might argue, but at least it was a perfect end, to go to sleep and not wake up – no prolonged suffering.
I am sure that everyone who knew her, will feel as I do, that a little bit of sunshine has left their life and although we went our separate ways I would always remember her with great tenderness. Amy is her legacy and what a lovely one – the image of her mother..
Sam and I shared digs together in a little cottage in Hammersmith when she first moved to London from Manchester. Our birthdates were separated by two months and our lives had many similarities. There was always something exciting going on when Sam was around and we shared many great times. We had a mutual friend called Peter Mullin ? who was a photographer and took many of her shots for Honey magazine and pop stars of the time – if you read this Peter, I would love to know how and where you are? Happy memories!
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Hi Gillian, I found your comment really interesting and just thought I’d pass on some information I got from a friend of Samantha’s called Trish – I’ve copied her message here and perhaps you might now her. I cannot link back to her I am afraid – you might be better equipped to have a go at that. Let me know if you find your friend Peter Mullin too. In 1968 I met my husband, a guitarist in a band, and we are still together. We lived a great life back in those days and the Music scene was fantastic, so alive and such fun. We lived in Hammersmith for a while (1970/71) and they played London a lot and we used to go to Samantha’s (club with a pink Rolls where they played the records) and, as I said, I had Samantha Juste and Cathy McGowan clothes when in my early teens. Anyway, do let me know how you get on. I hope you link with Trish and with Peter.
Here is what Trish said:
Trish cohen permalink
The second part of Samantha’s life was incredible. She met a wonderful man Dr. Tony Shipp. He gave her a glorious life and took very good care of Sammy and her daughter Ami. They were together for over 25 years. Samantha had her own jewelry line and Ami writes children’s books. Tony built a beautiful home for them in Belair. They entertained constantly with Samantha doing all of the cooking. They travelled all over the world.
All of her friends here in LA are shattered over her sudden passing. Our hearts go out to Tony and Ami.
There is another section Gillian and I will add it in another reply as it won’t allow me to move from this page. Jane Risdon
Her is the next piece:
Trish cohen permalink
You neglected to mention the second and best part of Sammy’s life. She met and fell in love with Dr. Tony Shipp. They’ve been together for over 25 years. He built her a magnificent home in Belair and took really good care of her and daughter Ami.
Sammy had a glorious life with Tony.
We all miss her terribly, especially Tony and Ami.
Gillian, I hope this all makes sense, let me know you can read it. Jane
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You neglected to mention the second and best part of Sammy’s life. She met and fell in love with Dr. Tony Shipp. They’ve been together for over 25 years. He built her a magnificent home in Belair and took really good care of her and daughter Ami.
Sammy had a glorious life with Tony.
We all miss her terribly, especially Tony and Ami.
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I replied Trish, thanks so much for your information – lovely to know she had a wonderful life. I am sure her husband and family must be heartened to know how well she was thought of. 🙂
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The second part of Samantha’s life was incredible. She met a wonderful man Dr. Tony Shipp. He gave her a glorious life and took very good care of Sammy and her daughter Ami. They were together for over 25 years. Samantha had her own jewelry line and Ami writes children’s books. Tony built a beautiful home for them in Belair. They entertained constantly with Samantha doing all of the cooking. They travelled all over the world.
All of her friends here in LA are shattered over her sudden passing. Our hearts go out to Tony and Ami.
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Trish, thanks so much for updating me about Samantha. I wondered what happened to her and I am so happy she found happiness and a great life. My husband saw Ami in a film about a genie some years back and she was very good (Venice beach area where it was filmed I think) so we are both happy that Ami has a wonderful career too. It is wonderful to find these things out. Samantha was an icon for my friends and I and so many people on Facebook have commented on my post, not just here. It must be heart-warming for her husband and family to know how she was remembered and how people felt about her. Thanks so much for posting this and do pass our condolences on to her husband and family. It must be a pretty tough time for them all. Appreciate you connecting with me (us) here. Jane Risdon
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I really enjoyed this, Jane. Beautifully written. It brought back so many memories. Was it really so long ago… x
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Rachel, it seems like just recently to me. I really cannot believe such a long time has passed and in so little time (seemingly) it just doesn’t seem possible. It is all fresh and real and not at all like an old memory. I am glad you enjoyed it and I hope your memories were happy ones. Thanks so much. 🙂
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Seems to be so. How mad is that? Just don’t feel old enough when you d the sums. Of course I am, but something must be amiss in the head….coz the brain and the DOB don’t seem to connect. Lol xx
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Lovely, I remember those days…the Beatles, Stones and I liked the Kinks, being of odd tastes and I had a mad crush on Davy Jones, lol. My parents were divorced when I was 6, so they didn’t mini manage me so much. I lived with my dad and step-mom and went to Catholic school, didn’t have a way to make my uniform look ‘hip.’ We thought we were cool if we had Levi’s on over the weekend! I remember I thought Samatha was very pretty and couldn’t understand why she liked Mickey. I used to babysit for spending money too. Looking back, my dad sheltered me from things, like a concert of The Monkees, by saying they weren’t really in town. Ha! and then my mom, who worked in the hotel/ casino where they stayed, got me Davey Jones autograph. At that time I was more anxious to see people I knew, like my Grandma or my cousins, than all the glamorous people, but I did have my crushes. Strange times, but it is all perspective as to how they are remembered.
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Jeanice it was such a fab time. I went to a convent when younger and life was restricted but I loved it. Getting let off the leash was such a mind-blowing experience. Samantha was ‘cool,’ as far as we were concerned. Mickey I could take or leave and I guess it was surprising they clicked. I missed out seeing the Beatles live because I was in a school play and had to do the right thing and never got to see them live – ever. I ended up working in Music and never once asked someone for an autograph which annoys the hell out of people I know – I rarely had a photo taken with any one either; didn’t like to, besides too busy getting our artists in the shot! I wrote about The summer of Love – blog last year – and I guess this last few months I have been looking back. Not just because of Samantha, but because of a WIP which covers this era. Was a fun ad special, magical time. 🙂
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Oh, I wouldn’t have asked for an autograph either, too shy, and I have always respected that people don’t really want to do autographs, etc. My mom is a real star hound tho’…another story.
My teen years were very special and I wouldn’t trade them, nor go back either.
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Agreed – when I seriously think about it, would not want to go back. Not that happy a time. But some memories are special. 🙂
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Looking at Samantha’s picture reminded me of Mary Hopkin. I’ve popped in the video of her singing ‘Those were the days.’ Oh Jane, those were the days indeed. The 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s, my god who wouldn’t live them again, they had grit. A great post and I loved the excerpt. Now I’m going to look at ‘Season’s in the sun’ by Terry Jacks.
Cheers
Laurie.
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Thanks for this Laurie, what a time eh? I have often thought of Mary Hopkin too and Terry Jacks, now that is a great song. Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed it. The excerpt is not a crime novel but one I am co-writing with another author who used to be hubby’s fan club secretary!! so very 1960’s and all that jazz. Thanks Jane. xx
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I’d do it all over again Jane and make some valued decisions. 🙂 It sounds like a great story you have going, let’s face it, it’s history which ever way you look at it.
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Yep it is and it will be based on real events and so all the more (for us both) interesting. I hope when it is published others like it too. She already has a huge audience, traditionally published over 30 books, and this will be very different for us both. Not sure what her readers will make of it. Not such a big deal for me as I don’t really have any – other than those liking crime tid-bits published for charity and on here and online. Thanks, though. Encouragement always welcome and yes, it is history. Lol We are history! 🙂
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I really wish you all the very best on this Jane, it’s a wonderful leg-up for you. Your name will be on view and people will then come looking for your other works. 🙂 You’re writing about a time that seems to be in vogue right now, go girl.
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LOL – it ahs been in the writing for 2 years. I am still working on my mystery/crime novel too…Ms Birdsong Investigates and hope to get that finished this year. Plus other stuff as you know, such as the charity anthologies where I’ve had short stories published – some in hardback/paperback as well as ebook, and which are doing well. Latest, In A Word: Murder is going into Paperback this month. So lots of stuff out there. Thanks so much, appreciate your kindness 🙂
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My, what a busy little writing bee you are. You’re obviously doing great job though Jane, keep going. 🙂
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Ah thanks so much Laurie, I shall. I just need to get the blogging more frequent and as interesting as yours is. I had hoped to be able to get more use of my shoulder by now but as I don’t, I am trying my best to ‘keep my hand in,’ lol. 🙂
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I forgot, you’re doing all of this one handed. What a trooper you are Jane. 🙂
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Well, sometimes I can get to use both hands, but it is painful on the shoulder and so afterwards I regret it. But you cannot give in…lol 🙂
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What a look back. Thank you, Jane. I understand more now about what a loss Samantha’s passing is in a larger context.
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Jenny, thanks for commenting. Yes, it is an odd one. I have never been that bothered before – possibly George Harrison, Howard Keel and Elvis only but not shaken to the core by it. I guess we all(my peers) identified with her a lot and that is why. Just very sad and suddenly aware of getting older. Lots of my generation are dying off and it is sobering.
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Jane, a beautifully written post.
The majority of us will make an even lesser impression on the world than Samantha did when we die — we will not have had celebrity, fame, or have done anything profound to warrant a post written about us, but each of us will have affected our own circle of friends and family, hopefully in a positive way.
In the end, we don’t need to move a generation, we just need to make a difference to those who care about us and give back what we can in our own ways.
Samantha’s death marks time — the end of an era that meant a lot to you and the world. I understand your sadness. Sending you some virtual hugs,
eden
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Oh thanks so much Eden. Not just me I am sure. So many friends have reacted the same way. End of an era and end of a little piece of me too. We all leave a mark with someone somewhere and as I said, she didn’t move mountains that I am aware of, but she made an impression and it was deep. Thanks for your hugs. Appreciated. 🙂
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A great post Jane and so many poignant memories! You’re right, Samantha was an icon – so beautiful! I used to love seeing her on Top of the Pops each week. I was allowed to watch it although my parents groused about the clothes and the length of the guys’ hair. And yes we too rolled our skirts up at school to turn them into minis much to the horror of our headmistress! My mother used to think Mick Jagger was the devil incarnate too and of course pop lyrics were always suggestive! One girl in my college class used to put Max Factor’s Pan Stick on her lips to get that pale and ghostly look! Such great times and despite the tag of permissive society, a time of comparative innocence when you look at what goes on today.
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Too right Jo. It has been an odd day – feeling very sad about this, not just her I guess but all that lost youth. Such fun times and innocent in many ways indeed. Wonder who thought up the skirt rolling and the pan stick lips? We all looked like death warmed up.
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Jane – I’ll admit I didn’t see TOTP. But I do remember Samantha Dolenz, and that look is iconic. She will be missed.
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Indeed. Sad Margot.
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Moving account of someone I don’t remember though I remember the look. The names of many others you mention are familiar to me. There is a hint of sadness in your writing too Jane, of times gone by, for all of us I’m sure, too quickly. I can remember making myself hipster bellbottoms from yellow velvet curtains, cut on the cross so they clung more closely! On to which I appliquéd shooting stars, etc cut from a piece of material. I made most of my clothes then, when I was a discernible shape. The look – apart from having dark hair – is spot on, but I drew eyelashes beneath my eyes as did Twiggy, and used panstick on my lips – all quickly scrubbed off before my mother saw it…
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Oh Penelope, so did I. Pan stick on the lips, eyelashes on the cheeks and I looked like a panda. I never made the clothes but my husband made his own trousers from strips of leather, denim and other materials, to wear on stage. I am sad for many reasons. So many friends and peers seem to be passing away of late and I guess it is a shock because in my head I am still 18 and I think of others as being the same age still…then this happens and I am surprised to see someone so young and vibrant, either getting old, or dead and I am not old enough yet! Silly me. This really upset me and I guess having written a novel based back then it has been on my mind of late. Glad you enjoyed your youth though. I cannot imagine wearing a pair of hipsters again…or the short skirts. But I would love to mess around with the eye make-up….could be fun. 🙂
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Hi Jane, So sorry to hear about Smantha’s passing. What memories your blog evokes and beautifully written too.. During that time our parents just couldn’t understand our clothes, our music, our lives. But looking back on it all now and I see my grand-children, I don’t understand their clothes, their music and their lives. Will they be the same with their children? You bet…
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I know Phyllis, it is a cycle. But I think we were living through a special time – there was a seismic shift in almost everything back then. I can relate to kids today easily and I don’t mind their fashions or music; they are having ‘their time,’ but for our parents I really do think it was incomprehensible and we must have seemed like aliens. There is a generation gap of course and that is as it should be. But we did have a great time to be teenagers Phyllis….you bet.
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