The 50's ushered in a period of major change. Crime was low, children played freely outside, Elvis was Rock n' Roll'n, a home cost $14,500, a car about $2,000. Teenagers were discovering the Rock n' Roll lifestyle spreading across the country including Motown and Rock n' Roll music, Doo-Wop, Teen dances, Going "Steady" with your girlfriend or boyfriend, Cruisn' on Friday and Saturday nights, Hang'n at the Drive-In Restaurant, American Bandstand Dancing Mania on TV, Classic Car Clubs, Drag racing with the boys, Twenty cent gas, Slick hairs do's..........and more
This "Autobiography" chronicles the lives of a boy and his friends growing up in the small San Francisco Bay Area town of Vallejo, California during the legendary 50's and 60's, experiencing everything unique about the fabulous Rock n' Roll culture sweeping across America.
Although the events in this story occurred in the Bay Area, the same Rock n' Roll frenzy was occurring all across America. The book will not only appeal to those who lived in California at the time, but to others all across the country who experienced that fabulous legendary era, awakening fond memories of bygone days. For those who weren't around during that period, the book will provide insight about how it was to live the "American Graffiti" lifestyle then....told by the author who experienced it all.
The story begins in the winter of 1944 as the boys parents give up everything in rural upstate New York and head to California for a piece of the American Dream. Westward Ho to the Promised Land of the Golden State
Step back in time. Discover what many consider to be the Best of times in America
About the AuthorOrr, Jim: - Jim Orr was born in upstate New York in 1940. In 1944, his parents gave up everything and headed to California for their piece of the American dream. He lived most of his early life in the Bay Area town of Vallejo, California. During the fabulous Rock n' Roll 50's & 60's, Jim experienced everything unique about the Rock n' Roll American Graffiti lifestyle spreading across America. This Autobiography is about he and his friends life experiences during that legendary period. Jim holds a degree in Health Science from San Francisco State College and also attended graduate school at Golden Gate College. A graduate of the Santa Rosa School of Nursing, he worked as a Psychiatric Nurse for the California Department of Mental Hygiene and served in the Army Nurse Corp during the Vietnam War where he met his wife Joan who was also an Army Nurse. Upon finishing his military service, Jim left the Nursing Profession to become a Deputy Probation Officer with the Solano County Probation Department. He ultimately attained an administrative position with that agency, having his office in Vallejo, California. The author is also a well known Napa Valley Wine Country Artist. His artwork can be viewed at www.napavalleytourmap.com. He has also conducted private wine tours in that famous wine region and is the author of the travel book, A Day or Two in The Napa Valley. Jim has worked in many different professions, but regrets not having tried his luck at three others; a Geologist, a Stand Up Comic, and a Weight Guesser in the Circus!
