Paul Revere
One of my fondest teenage
memories is of rushing home after school to watch Where the Action Is, a black-and-white half-hour TV show that aired weekday afternoons on ABC. A
precursor to MTV, Action featured the
top pop singers of the day, lip-syncing to their songs while walking along
Santa Monica beach or other well-known, mostly local teen hangouts. I loved the
show and especially the Action “house
band,” Paul Revere and the Raiders, who were silly and dressed like Revolutionary War soldiers. I still carry a CD of their greatest hits in my car.
Tim and I saw the Raiders
about 10 years ago at Disney’s California Adventure, when the park first opened
and was so desperate for visitors that they hired nostalgic rock bands to play
and attract baby boomers. Paul Revere, the group’s leader, was a hoot and full
of life. I couldn’t believe that I was finally seeing one of my childhood idols
perform live on stage!
Then last year we bought
tickets to see the reconstituted Raiders at an afternoon show in Cerritos. The
new band, made up of singers far younger than us, was great. And once again,
Paul was a hoot, telling jokes and sitting behind a small organ. But now he
walked with a cane and obviously was not 100% well.
I’m very sad to report
that Paul Revere died over the weekend. I’ve loved him and his music for almost
50 years. Long may you ride, Paul!
The Raiders on Action. Paul is wearing the tri-corner
hat trimmed in white fur.
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