If you were a teenager in the 60's as I was, drugs were the prescription of the day. Racial descrimination was rearing its ugly head in California and sexual freedom thrived. When I started dancing on American Banstand in 1965, blacks and whites could dance together.
My friends Famous Hooks and Lori Montogomery were told they could no longer be dancing partners because of this racial difference. At the same time, girls could not dance with girls, and boys could not dance with boys, only couples (boy and girl) were allowed to be on the show.
There was a dress code: no jeans or t-shirts, girls had to wear dresses or skirts at a proper length and in the bikini contest, no belly buttons were allowed to be showing. I found a way to meet all the rules and regulations that were required to be on the show because it was a blast from the time we arrived until the time we went home.
As a regular on American Bandstand from 1965 to 1969, I am astounded that drugs weren't more prevelant in our group. I think that dancing was a high in itself, we had another agenda. Besides, you can't really dance well and do all the fancy steps when you are high.
Taping 4 shows a day didn't seem to be enough for us. After a 10 hour day, we would all meet at a dance at some community center and dance all night!
I still dance all night and I never will forget dancing all those days!
by Peggy Waggoner Names
