Set The Wayback Machine to 1977 Sherman

Wayback to 1977
I was positive I was going to be expelled from high school that night.

My fate was sealed. Beyond a shadow of a doubt. Eleven years of good behaviour down the drain in an instant...

...all because I held the distinguished position of "Social Convenor" on Student Council in 1977. That meant I was in charge of organizing pep rallies, social events and dances. Responsible for everything from paying bills to booking help, drawing posters and hanging banners.

Dig that hoodie / overalls combo

For my first big school dance I had the incredible luck to sign an up-and-coming local rock band to play. A group that went on to sign with CBS and the producer for Aerosmith; their hits reaching platinum a few years later... but for reasons which shall become crystal clear later in this post, I'll decline to identify the band's name.

So the night of the big dance arrived. All the tickets were sold. The gym was decorated. The canteen was stocked and manned. The band had arrived but I still was freaking out that something could go wrong.

I met the four musicians at the door and directed them to the change rooms so they could get into their 70's platforms, sequined jumpsuits and rhinestone accessories. As their equipment was being set up, I supervised like a good Social Convenor should. Then the boys came out for a last-minute dress rehearsal.

And that's when I foresaw my Grade 11 butt getting ceremoniously booted out the front door of my Collegiate.

My life was over.

For as they joined me on stage to do the sound check, my eyes couldn't help but fall upon the lead singer and his er.... "revealing" one piece fish-net jumpsuit.

With nothing on underneath.

NOTHING.

Except skin. Lots of skin.... and ... *shudder* ....hair.

Did I mention it was "revealing"????

Yup. I got me a full-frontal close-up show of the "man" himself.

My sixteen-year old mind went blank. I think I stammered something incomprehensible. I really can't recall. All I remember is dashing off the stage as the band returned to their dressing room.

I watched in horror as the gym quickly filled with my schoolmates, all excited to see the live band and dance the night away. They pushed their way to the front of the gym as I screamed inside my head "NO! Not so close!"

Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod.

My teachers... the principal! They were all there too.

This can't be happening.

Then the show started, the band took the stage with the lead singer now sporting his guitar. A low-slung electric that thank God covered his.... er, not-so-privates. The lights went down and they rocked the night away.

That dance was the biggest social event in years.

And no one was the wiser... except the Band and the Social Convenor.

Obviously I never did tell anyone about the "show" I was privy to until I graduated. I may have been naiive, but I wasn't stupid. They couldn't kick me out of high school if I was already outta there.

But I'll never be able to listen to that band's music without the memory of that jumpsuit burned into my brain...

36 People would rather be commenting:

Irene said...

What a horrifying moment that was. I am picturing the event in my mind and am mortified for you. Thank goodness for that low slung guitar.

Christine said...

WHO? WHO WAS IT? For the love of God, I've gots ta know!

Maureen said...

Sweet Irene: Yeah... I don't know WHAT would have happened if he didn't play....

Christine: I really can't say... they are still together, have a MySpace page and their own website. They are even still touring in Canada!

Heather said...

NO FAIR! You must at least give some hints! LOL

the frogster said...

I'm gonna say April Wine is too old and Triumph never wore titallating outfits.

Hmmm. Loverboy?

Maureen said...

Good guesses, Frogster... you know your Canadian bands! But no, it's none of those....

Canadian flake said...

omggggggg wayyyyyyy too funny...I think when I was in high school I might have just fainted on the spot..of course now I would slide in for a closer look...

ooopss sorry bad choice of words..lmaooooooooo.

Maureen said...

CF: LOL!!!!! You're hilarious!

Aimeslee Winans said...

Well, Maurenn, as hilarious and entertaining as your post was, I hope you know this is a throw-down, girl, since you teased us with all that and now won't even supply us with the band's name. Good Goad, what ARE you afraid of, that he will come a knockin at your door still wearing the jumpsuit?????? winkwink

So, let's throw down. Hmmm, of course the most fitting and 'crystal clear' answer would be...hehe...the Deadly Snakes?

If not, what about Big Sugar? The Kings? Jeff Healey Band?

Next the the Deadly Snakes, what's left of my money is on The Kings....

Ed & Jeanne said...

Wow, I didn't know Barry Manilow wore fishnet....

Janet said...

OK, I just spewed my morning coffee. I can only imagine your horror! I had a similar job on my student council and boy, am I glad I didn't book that band. :-)

Kathryn & John said...

Social Convenor. What an awesome title. Times were different.

Bruce Johnson said...

We attend high school to experience stuff like this.....we really don't learn much from books....it is the social interaction and dealing with the unknown that makes us how we are....who would have thought that 'this' would play such a prominent roll in your younger years.

Momo Fali said...

Oh my! Sounds like he left quite an impression!

Maureen said...

Aimslee: Sorry, no, none of your guesses were right... and sorry to keep you in the dark; I just don't see the purpose for naming them; it really doesn't matter anymore.

VE: Barry Manilow???? Ewwwwww....

JP: Yeah, lucky for you!!! But it was the 70's... a different time, that's for sure.

Lotus07: You got that right!

Momo Fali: That's one way to put it for sure!!!

Cupcake Blonde said...

Wow. There's a show and then there's a SHOW! I can only imagine your obsolute horror at the thought you might have booke talent that would be wiggling their naughty bits for your school officials to see. Thank goodness he never decided to drop the guitar and sing accapella.

OhTheJoys said...

KISS?

Beth I hear you calling... No?

A Man Among Mommies said...

Love the Hair... Actually I love all the outfits...

Hopping in for a Virtual Drink and reading some fun stories... Blog Hopping is what the cool kids do...

Tara R. said...

Oh, Mr. Peabody, did that ever bring back some scary high school memories.

Etcetera (Blog Hopper)

Anonymous said...

That was a great story, suspenseful even. I'm with 'Oh, the joys' - Kiss? - I'm guessing we'll never know. :)

- Chas (Blog Hopper)

Karen MEG said...

Social Convenor extraordinaire ... what an experience that was LOL! The suspense is killing me too. Couple more hints please???
Bloghopping tonight, have a good weekend!
--aka Pomtini

Rachel said...

Well hot damn!
Wow M, what an um.. experience?
Hair, fishnets, hair.. ugh. That's just.. EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
Glad you didn't get kicked out, but see little did you know what great fodder that would be for your future blog!! LOL.
Being a good little blog hopper :-)

Unknown said...

Wow! You booked The Doobie Brothers!? LOL!
Cheers!

Darrin, aka "Make Shift Sinatra" from the Weekend BlogHopper crew

♥♥♥ A- Licious ♥♥♥ said...

wow....i was biting my nails reading....scary - thank god for low hang n guitars!! ;o)

GREAT BLOG!!!

-40C ---errrr..no thanks???? ;o)

you too have new reader! (yay)

Amy xoxoxox

OHmommy said...

1977 was a very COOL year! Indeed.

Yes. I was born in the July of 77.

Unknown said...

Love your style girl. Reminds me a little of my own the way you format your writing. Thanks for stopping by and checkin' out my blog during Weekend Blog Hoppers!

PeaceOut.
Huckdoll aka NinjaLoveUp

DJ Kirkby said...

Love the hair! I have tagged you.

Anonymous said...

I love the Wayback Machine. What can I say? I can even hear Mr. Peabody's voice.

Love the bell bottoms on your SHIRT SLEEVES, of course in addition to your rockin' fro.

And I'm with christine: who was it? Does the "dude look like a lady?" Or was there too much "smoke on the water?"

Anonymous said...

LMAO! What a funny story. I'm dying to know who is was. I'm actually racking my brain for a band signed in 78 or 79 in Bowie-esk (with less taste lol) costuming. At first I thought you were going to say Kiss, but they were earlier. lol

Great story.

BTW, I love your Wayback Wednesday idea. I just posted on my blog a few days ago about starting up a FlashBack Friday. :)

Here's to Weekend Blog HOpping.

Sandy Kessler said...

Fantastic post - you surely can hold onto your reader- may I link?

Monica said...

Oh the hair. Hilarious. Thanks for stopping by!

SHW said...

Thanks for "hopping" by my blog! This is an awesome story and frightening!

LunaNik said...

This is funny!

And I agree w/ Oh the Joys...Kiss was my first guess also, but I have no clue if they are from Canada.

Love the hair, btw!

Thx for stoppin' by my blog. I'll be back here for sure =)

Maureen said...

VP: "singing accapella"... yeah, right... that was my fear!!! :)

Oh The Joys: No, not KISS, but they were a similar Canadian band...

Todd: Thanks for hopping by! Yeah, the hair. It took hours at the stylist's and $ 80, (which was a lot back in the 70s) but I loved that look...

Tara: Did you go to my school? ;) Actually, there WAS a Tara in my class...

Hey Chuck: No, I'm not naming them as they are still touring... thanks for hopping by!

Hi Karen Meg! Thanks for stopping by...hope you had a good weekend too!

Hi again Rachel! Yeah, it was an "experience" to be sure... and who would have even guessed about blogging back then???

Darrin: You MUST have the infamous Doobie Brothers double "spread" album.... ;)

No, wasn't them either.

Aw, thanks A-Licious! You have a new reader too!

Ohmommy: BORN in '77? Okay, now I feel old....

Huckdoll: Thanks! Love your blog too... I'll be back!

DJ: Thanks! Well, I'll have to check that tag out!

Cardiogirl: Har! Bellbottom sleeves!!! You're right! Thanks. Still not telling tho....

Aw, thanks CableGirl.. I saw your Flashback Friday post; great idea. Thanks for hopping by.

Sandy: Thank you! And I would be honored to be linked. Thanks!

Monica: Thanks. And you're welcome!!!

Sexy Housewife: I enjoyed hopping by your place too!

Lunanik: Thank you... and I will be back to your blog as well.

Jill said...

Add me to the list of people who think you should fess up!!!! :-) :-) :-)

Funny story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:-) :-) :-)

Jeff and Charli Lee said...

Ooh, I can't believe I missed this story. I hope you weren't scarred for life by his trouser trout.

I love your Wayback Machine. Great idea!

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