Pat Boone, Scientology, Frankie Ford and Foot Tap'en Music

Tom Cruise’s recent primate metamorphosis, on the Oprah show; that is, his strange declaration of love complete with the orangutan jumps (See my June posting), and then his subsequent confrontation on the Today Show with Matt Lauer about the psychotropic drugs Brooke Shield shouldn't be taking, according to Tom that is, has all combined to really put his name in the news lately. Oh, and just incidentally  he has a new blockbuster movie in the theaters just now. . .some coincidence huh? Now old Tom probably knows more about these things than we've ever suspected; I mean, after all, he is a self-avowed Scientologist. I’m also aware, as one of my critics aptly noted in a commentary on my posting, that Tom can’t be too dumb or he wouldn't have all that money. I suppose I’ll give in to the idea that something about this whole matter is pretty dumb and let it go at that. Anyway, these recent discussions involving Cruise, Scientology and the like reminded me of an experience I had which included, among other things, my first awareness of Scientology.

I was involved in a discussion with a friend who, in passing, mentioned some of the music of the fifties and sixties, noting how downright enjoyable it was, not at all like this rapper, crapper, sapper stuff that’s taken all the Grammy awards by storm.

Well, that recent reflection on music from the 50's and 60's pushed my own thoughts a bit, giving me just enough courage to mention one of my own favorites from that early period–Pat Boone; I recently acquired a copy of his supposed 16 greatest hits. Now I don’t publicly admit to liking his music and, in fact, have a little trouble admitting it to myself during my private moments, but the fact is I love the strong, rhythmic beat of his early music. If you’re a rocker, it’s hard to find better dance music. However, I can’t think of anyone, just off hand, who gives me a greater sense of nausea when I listen to them talk. In sum, I find Boone’s simple-minded religious views hard to take. I’m always left wondering, "Is he really that simple- minded?" My fear, of course, is that he is!

Then there’s Frankie Ford from down in Louisiana. .. .remember him? His one big hit "Sea Cruise?" is another of my favorites. One hot summer night several years ago, I came out of a Broadway theater having just seen Miss Saigon and was standing on the side walk watching people pass by. Suddenly, I could hear the sounds of live, rock music. I looked down the street and saw a London style double decker bus slowly moving through the post show theater traffic. The top of the bus had been removed creating a band stand on one end and a small dance floor on the other. Several musicians-- couple saxophones, a trombone, a trumpet or two and an electric bass guitar--were energetically performing Frankie Ford’s foot stompin’ "Sea Cruise."

The bus, momentarily tied up in a snarl of taxies, stopped just in front of me. For the first time I noticed large white signs with black hand scrawled messages extolling the virtues of Scientology, a religion I new by name only, taped to the sides of the bus. The band stopped playing and one of the performers with a microphone in hand invited those of us standing on the side walk to join them on the bus. An attractive young couple , who looked to be in their twenties, standing near me on the side walk did just that. As they ascended the spiral stair way to the top of the bus, the band stated to play again as the bus continued slowing down the street with the stylish young couple bopping to the sounds of Frankie Ford’s music.

Though it did not occur to me then, I’ve often thought that the young couple had been planted their waiting for the bus to come along, to encourage, by their example, others to join the Scientology party on the bus; I don’t know. In any case, a couple years ago, reflecting on the events of that night, it occurred to me that I’d really liked the music. I searched for several days before I finally found what I was looking for. Initially I’d been looking under the title "Sea Breeze" which is also a legitimate song title but not the one I wanted. Well, I did ultimately find what I wanted and Frankie and I’ve been close ever since, and to hell with the Grammies and Scientology ploys of whatever intention.

Ever keepin’ track of the beat for ya!

Davy Crockett


Post Script: After putting some of the above reflections in words, I sent them on to a number of friends. One night several weeks later, I returned home after having spent a wild weekend in Chicago, and there, tucked between the storm door and the entrance door, I found a small UPS package containing an old beatup looking cassette tape along with the following note:


Dear Davy,

Well, if you liked Pat Boone you were probably
disappointed, as was I, in the Rolling Stone's recent
selection of the 5OO greatest songs of all time. Pat
Boone gets a mention for covering a couple of songs
but that's all. Bill Halley gets on the list only
once, for Rock Around the Clock. Frankie Ford is, of
course, nowhere to be found. Charlie Ryan and the
Timberline Riders don't make the list at all with
their Hot Rod Lincoln. The list does contain a lot of
other examples of goddamn dissonance and abuse of
innocent musical instruments. I played in a band in
the mid fifties—the transition period from swing to
early rock and roll (I got to be in the band, Bernie
Tucker's Off Beats, because I owned a drum set though
I was not a good drummer). My kind of rock and roll
was pretty much over with by 1959. At that point I
mainly listened to jazz, classical, and nostalgic
4O-50's stuff. Now, in my sixties, I have taken up
with "a young chick" (9 years my junior) and I wake up
every morning to Fox Radio's classic rock and roll
hits—many of which are on the Rolling Stone list—and
they piss me off. As a result, J often break in to a
chorus of "music from MY era," including Sea Cruise.
Otherwise, life is good so I guess I shouldn't
complain and Sandy likes to be sung to at 5:30 AM.
Re L Ron Hubbard and the Scientologists: several years
ago J heard that they were trying to get the first
edition of his book, Dianetics (sp?) removed from
libraries. So, naturally I got a copy of it and a copy
of his latest edition and shelved them side by side in
the NMC library. I didn't read either one so I never
found out which one was loopyer.
Anyway, several months ago Sandy and I were in the
Salvation Army store and I ran across a tape of songs
from 1959—including Sea Cruise—which you will find
enclosed. Listen to it in good health, and to hell with
the Rolling Stone.

Your friend Dan’l B.