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It was an exciting day in the sleepy valley in ole Virginia. Roanoke was going to be introduced to their first English group. This was the day that Roanoke was to meet Herman and his Hermits, or they were going to meet us. The tickets had been sold, seats filled, all girls had their LOUD screams all ready. Contests had been held, some got to go to the press conference and some to eat dinner with them, some got to meet them and get autographs and some, like me, just got to hear them in person. But we were all happy and a little frantic. The day dawned not a nice pretty day but a rainy miserable day. Well, it might have dampened the ground, the seats (they were to appear in our stadium out in the open) and the stage, but not everybody's excitement. It was to be a rain or shine performance, and everybody figured, if they could take it, we could. All day long people checked watches and clocks all over the school and finally we were out. Not much supper was eaten that night and I know not any homework was done. About thirty minutes before show time it started to rain. Everybody realised that Roanoke had made one big mistake, they forgot to protect the stage with a cover. We all knew that it was dangerous so they rushed out with canvass and tried to keep it dry. Hope was almost gone but we sat in the pouring rain for two more hours. Finally it became clear that the show could not go on that night. Everyone was disappointed and wet too! We knew that the Hermits wouldn't let us down, we'd get our show even if they had to work overtime. The officials moved the time up to 2 p.m. the next day, which caused quite a stir because |
over here we don't get out of school till 3 p.m. Most teachers, principals, deans and school board officials didn't like it, but the kids did. We were all for it! Some kids came in with excuses from parents, some forged them, some called their parents begging to go with their friends and some just plain skipped school. The schools went into a dither and made announcements that no one would be able to get out, even with parents' permission. Roanoke almost had its first city wide demonstration and I think I'd have led it! But the Hermits solved the problem, they would come back at the end of their tour. We had to wait almost three weeks, but June 13th finally arrived. We crossed our fingers, and hoped it wouldn't rain and this time our wishes came true. There's one thing about Virginia weather in the summer, you can't hit a happy medium. I'll bet it was a hundred in the shade! Well the last time we were wet from rain and this time it was the sun pouring down and from a girl so excited that she dropped a coke down my back. But everything was fine and all were happy. All ten thousand of us - oops, excuse me, ten thousand and five Hermits. The show was great (to say the least) and the weather made a great monologue for Herman. He proved to be as good a comedian as he is a singer. They sang thirteen songs with the crowd helping on Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter while Herman directed. Great conductor! It may have been postponed but we had a great day. We met the English again but this time they conquered. Wonder when they'll come back to take over? Hope it's real soon. |