Transformative Dispositions

Splatter platter reigned on radios
in the early 1960s: “Teen Angel”
to “Last Kiss,” “Deadman’s Curve,”
to “Leader of the Pack,” DJs. spun morbid
songs 24/7 as youths romanticizes death
while subconsciously longing for change.

Yes, we abandoned our untucked Madras
shirts, substituted the “lived-in” look
for British styles from tailored Mod
fashions and motor scooters to Rocker
jeans, leathers, and Harley Davidsons.
Timely. Fashionable. Smart.                          

True West Coast surfers had
a head start on the rest of us;
between salt water forays, hot rod ballads, 
and Beach Boys barbecues, their
wavy sun bleached mop tops had been
“getting good in the back” for months.    

Never stooping to wear cheap Beatle wigs
to defy our parents, we grew out locks
hair fell over shirt collars, covered earlobes
established “the look” more fashionable
urgent than buzz cuts or grooming follicles
with Brylcreem, Vitalis, or Dapper Dan’s Pomade.

The British Invasion fed us
rock ‘n roll lace with rhythm &
blues overlooked in the states.
Glam metal gave way to pop rock,
M. Jackson, and Madonna in the ‘80s
rap became disco’s revenge thereafter.


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