Comments on: In Defense Of The Young Americans

By: Ken Myers

Ken Myers — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:52:05 +0000

As a member of Young American from 1963 until 1965, I predate the 1967 movie. However, I will echo Gordon Paine’s comment above. YA was about a lot of talented high school and junior college students who were lucky enough to find Milton Anderson and the opportunities he offered to perform music. That was obviously Milton’s mission as well. Otherwise, he would not have been responsible for the vast amount of music education produced by the whole Young American’s movement and the educational institution he founded. I have spend the last 43 years since I left the group as a professional musician, hopefully passing along a little of the enthusiasm and skill he gave all of us. Anyone who thought we were political or anything related to setting trends does not understand the kinship of musicians performing together. We were performers reveling in the challenge of working with equally talented peers. I expect most in the group continued performing long after YA. Certainly, our most notable example would be Vicki Lawrence. Thanks, Milton for all of the joy and satisfaction you gave to both performer and those who observed your product.

By: Lisa Sabo

Lisa Sabo — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:52:14 +0000

This is an interesting forum having just found this tonight. My daughter is considering being a part of YA. She was accepted after auditioning two weeks ago. We are visiting CA three weeks from now to see what is involved and what she will be doing. So far, in all of my on-line searches, I have found absolutely nothing negative about this group. I am totally impressed with what they do for kids- the opportunities to perform at these workshops is huge. I am keeping my fingers crossed that my daughter decides to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

By: Geraldine Kestenr

Geraldine Kestenr — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 18:56:15 +0000

I am but only an ordianry surfer and oldie at that, who found your site to read but I wish to add how much I enjoyed and truly loved the Music of the Young Americans and I still listen to them. They were young, clean-cut (thank Heaven for something claen-cut) fresh singing baladeers with much energy ‘abustin’ out of them.

Of course I have a slight agenda for having attached to their music more enthusiastically, Johnny Mathis has been my favored beloved Music Icon for more than fifty-two years now and he sings one of his most fun songs on the album, “The Young Americans Presented By Johnny Mathis.” That song that all we “Mathisers” adore is, “What’s New At The Zoo.”

Recently at the McCallum Theater in Palm Springs CA, a former member of The Young Americans was in his audience and upon leaving the theaters these days Johnny doesn’t visit with his fans but rarely but on this occasion he was told by a frend as he was leaving “That he should stop and say hello to a special person waiting there,” and so he did enthusiastically.

Now on that Full Frontal Attack article; it is clear to read that these punks are just like most youths and semi-youths these days, “If you can’t wound, moan and groan stupidly, and say something really, ugly and disgusting to get negative attention, don’t say anything.” They all think they are viable critics and all they do for the common reader is turn us off completely. I read the first line of the Ha, ha, ha’s and hee, hee-hee’s and a tad of the next line then that was more than enough for me to get the hell off that article.

But watch your back, they are massive and all over the place and we must ignore them but only untill they break the law then we go after them with gusto.

By: Derrick Bostrom

Derrick Bostrom — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:37:06 +0000

Thanks for the thoughtful comments, Gordon.

Certainly, YA and groups like them get their share of the tar as much for being “poppy” (i.e. not resembling the Rolling Stones) as for what people infer about their politics. Unfortunately, claiming that the singers themselves did not have strong political affiliations somewhat skirts the issue if those employing the singers are doing so as part of their own agenda. For most people in this country, showing up for work is an inherently political act, whether they realize it or not.

The sad part for YA would be when their work is ignored, by both their detractors and their supporters, in favor of their possible utility as a political tool. I for one enjoy groups like these for their music as well as for what they help reveal about our culture.

By: Gordon Paine

Gordon Paine — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 05:38:29 +0000

It hardly makes sense to respond to a blog a year later, but I think this deserves it.

As a member of the Young Americans in 1965-66, I greatly appreciate the sincerity and kindness of this post as much as I resent the “full frontal attack.” People have a habit of projecting their own philosophies, prejudices and opinions onto others, regardless of reality. I was very politically minded at the time, yet I can’t recall any sense of politics while I was in the group. Others may have projected politics onto us, but I am confident that this entered the minds of hardly anyone who ACTUALLY SANG in the group. We just loved singing, performing, traveling, and the company of our friends. The YAs were a dream vehicle for this experience.

Times changed, as did tastes in entertainment, and the YAs changed accordingly. But what always remained, and still does, was the opportunity for kids to have a great singing experience at a very high level. The people who have kept this group alive through thick and thin for 45 years have done a great service to thousands of kids who love to sing. I for one am most grateful for the experience and would be proud to have my children or grandchildren involved today.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 09:22:32 +0000

This is one visitor you need not fight for. While I am certainly an appreciator/fan of the Meat Puppets - you guys were the headliners at my first real, cool, small-club show in 1989 (playing Stache’s in Columbus, OH, along with 11th Dreamday), but this site is the more interesting of the two, no doubt.

By: Derrick Bostrom

Derrick Bostrom — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 01:10:03 +0000

Thanks Tom, as always, for the kind words. I agree with you about the hierarchy of my sites. This one is a labor of love which must fight for every visitor. Folks come to the Puppets site no matter what I post. Most are just looking for guitar tabs.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 17:12:45 +0000

Lovely column. Well written and well deserved.
The cultural wars of the late 1960’s and ESPECIALLY the counter attacks by the supposed ’straights’ was incredible. Walter Brennan was making LPs, John Wayne’s America And Why I Love Her, UP With People, these are all vital (yes VITAL) artifacts to have any understanding of what the supposed ‘Swingin’ 60’s’ were about.
Barry Sadler is far truer in HIS heart and message than Barry McGuire’s cover of ‘Eve Of Destruction’ ever was, and without the vocal bluster and show-offedness.
That’s KEY in the discussion of these groups. The Young Americans, Up With People, they MEANT and FELT what they were singing one hell of a lot more than say Steppenwolf or The Mamas and the Papas. It is like it or not TRUE ‘Soul Music.’
It WAS war EVERYWHERE. The cities were burning, Viet Nam was being napalmed into ashes, and the battle lines continued to be drawn in the record bins at Sears.
In the SPECIFIC case of The Young Americans, they were also incredibly GOOD sounding records. Every note is crystal clear, the recordings are PERFECT as are the performances.
Really Bostrom, nice work.
Tom
PS Y’know, I like this page better than your Puppets site. I tend to visit this one, and THEN the Pups page as an afterthought. Nice stuff Derrick.