A lighthearted and loving look back at the glory days of the Shady Dell, the historic haven for teenagers in York, PA, and the magnanimous couple that created it, John & Helen Ettline.
CLOSE YOUR EYES. TAKE A DEEP BREATH. OPEN YOUR HEART.
SHADY DEL KNIGHT, ADMINISTRATOR
High School Yearbook Photo
"More than a place, the Shady Dell was and will forever remain a state of mind." - Shady Del Knight
HELLO STRANGER ... IT SEEMS LIKE A MIGHTY LONG TIME!
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Three's Company: Chrissy Moves Back In, Shares Post with Zara and Louisa!
and Philly area producer, director, singer,
songwriter and musician Kurt Schneider.
Listen as the trio covers "Counting Stars,"
a hit by the Colorado band OneRepublic.
"Counting Stars" (OneRepublic cover)
Alex Goot, Kurt Schneider and
Chrissy Costanza (Jan. 2014)
ZARA LARSSON
Swedish singer/songwriter Zara Larsson rose
to fame at age 10 when she was declared the
2008 season winner on Talang, the Swedish
version of Got Talent. Zara signed with a
label and in 2010 began releasing pop,
R&B and electronic dance records.
In the fall of 2014 Zara released her first
studio album, 1, and it shot to the top of
Sweden's album chart. One of the album
tracks, "Bad Boys," had already been in
play a full year as a single. "Bad Boys"
penetrated the Swedish top 30 and
was promoted by the following
video. When the drums start
pounding at the 44 second mark, so do the hearts of
bad boys everywhere!
"Bad Boys" - Zara Larsson
(October 2013, h.c.p. #27 Sweden
#33 Denmark, from Oct. 2014 album 1)
FOXES
Foxes is plural. Foxes is also one person
- Louisa Rose Allen - an English singer
and songwriter with singular talent.
In 2011 Louisa picked the stage name
Foxes and began singing in London
clubs.
She landed a record deal and released
material in the indie pop and
electronic dance categories.
ZEDD
ft. FOXES
Foxes' work caught the attention of Grammy
winning Russian-German record producer
Zedd and
her vocals were featured on
the Zedd single "Clarity." Released
at the end of 2012, "Clarity" was an
international hit early the following
year, cracking the top 10 on the
Billboard Hot 100 and topping
the U.S. Dance Club chart.
"Clarity" - Zedd ft. Foxes
(Dec. 2012-Jan. 2013, highest chart pos.
#8 Hot 100/#1 US Dance Club Songs
#1 Australia Heatseekers, from
Oct. 2012 album Clarity)
In 2014 Foxes released her debut album
Glorious and it went top 5 on
the UK
and Scottish album charts.
In 2015 Foxes released "Body Talk" as the
lead single from her 2016 second album
All I Need. "Body Talk" cracked the top 30
in the UK and the top 10 in Scotland.
Not to be confused with the hit by
glam metal band Kix, "Body Talk"
has a retro 80s sound I love,
reminiscent of Martha
and the Motels!
"Body Talk" - Foxes
(July/Aug. 2015, h.c.p. #25 UK
#9 Scotland, from 2016 alb. All I Need)
ZARA LARSSON
Now here's the biggie by Zara Larsson.
In the summer of 2015, "Lush Life" became
the Swedish singing sensation's second #1
charting single. "Lush Life" topped the
Swedish chart for 5 weeks and was
certified 4X platinum. Zara's sassy
vocals ride a pulsating calypso
rhythm, making "Lush Life" an
island-pop sizzler that's perfect
for a summer party play list!
"Lush Life" - Zara Larsson
(June/July 2015, highest chart pos.
#1 Sweden/#1 Poland/#6 UK
#9 US Bubbling Under)
CHRISSY COSTANZA
ALEX GOOT & KURT SCHNEIDER
Let's wrap things up with another nifty
number by Chrissy Costanza and her
multitalented cohorts Alex Goot and
Kurt Schneider. This time the terrific
trio performs a cool cover of the
Justin Bieber hit "Beauty and a Beat."
I remember Chrissy from your earlier post-- great voice and she sings with zest and feeling. The other two artists are new to me. Zara is an exciting young performer. I especially enjoyed her calypso number Lush Life-- It would be a perfect song to play at a summer pool party. With her talent that Swedish girl could become a household name in America. Foxes has a great voice and her song and video Body Talk is my favorite-- a retro sound from the 80's. I agree that she sounds a lot like Martha Davis on that one.
Thanks for bringing back Chrissy and for introducing two more entertaining singers in Three's Company.
Thanks for coming to this week's pop party - Three's Company!
Chrissy and her band Against the Current are going strong. They toured the UK and Europe earlier this year and toured the U.S. this summer. Two weeks from now they set off again for Europe and Asia on their In Our Bones World Tour in support of their latest album.
You probably like Zara Larsson because she identifies as a feminist. :) The gifted Swedish songbird has a new album coming out next month. Louisa Rose Allen (Foxes) describes her musical style as "experimental pop." Along with her talents in the recording studio Louisa has been described as a "fashion maven." As Wiki explains << Her fashion sense has been influenced by fellow singer Cyndi Lauper and characters in films such as Empire Records (1995) and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997), as well as by grunge fashions and Japanese street fashion. >>
I'm glad you enjoyed Three's Company, Kathryn. Thanks again for being here!
I very much enjoyed this edition! You know, I thought Zara's name was Sara. I've heard her before. She's talented. I'm so glad I'm straight on her name now. I'd have to say my favorite was Foxes Body Talk. I had not heard that one before. (And I'm not quite sure where to put the apostrophe in her name.)
Thanks for sharing all of this. Have a wonderful week!
Thanks for visiting as I present the first new episode of Three's Company in 32 years. I hope you appreciate the new characters! :)
Yessum, it's Zara with a Z, and she is one of several fine young Swedish pop stars to emerge in this millennium. Recently I introduced an artist called September and I will be presenting another great Swedish songstress very soon.
Isn't "Body Talk" a great throwback to the 80s? That one has to be my Pick To Click as well. Foxes is quite a unique name for a solo artist, don't you think?
Thank you again for your visit and comment, dear friend Zherry... uh, I mean Sherry! :)
That was not the Body Talk song I'm familiar with... Can you imagine getting a deal before you became a teenager? Especially knowing what fame does to many that age.
That's right. Guys like us are more familiar with the heavy metal hit "Body Talk" by the underrated 80s band Kix. I was shocked to hear the sound of the Motels in this post-millennial recording by Foxes.
The only deal that I landed before I reached my teens was earning a quarter every time I mowed the lawn. :)
Thanks again, Alex, and enjoy the rest of your week!
You weren't kidding when you called Chrissy and friends the Terrific Trio! Their vocals are fantastic. But Foxes (gotta love that name)shines quite well in those interesting videos, while Zara is a songbird on a mission to unseat the likes of Swift or even Lambert, as I bet Zara would have a decent run at cross-overs. All in all, a pleasing mix of musical paragons, dear Shady! Smile, you're on Candid Comments :-)
How are you today, dear friend? Thank you very much for joining the fun!
Yessum, I am very impressed with Chrissy (not Suzanne Somers' Chrissy Snow). She and her cohorts started as cover artists and did a great job of it as demonstrated here, but they also write their own songs and have been touring extensively for several years. They're on their way!
I'm glad you enjoyed Foxes' songs and vids. The "cold intro" on "Body Talk" grabs me every time and immediately transports me back to the sounds of the last great decade, the Eighties.
Zing went the strings the first time I saw and heard Zara. :) I have her album 1 and am eagerly awaiting her second album slated to hit the street next month. Zara is talented and versatile, able to convincingly perform dance pop, pop rap and pop ballads.
Thank you again for joining the pop party, dear friend Diedre, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Ok I'm back. I well remember ATC and I know the song, although I never knew looked into who did it. I like this version FAR better.
Zara Larsson- this is not really a bang on the song per se- but this whole "good girls going after bad boys" thing long since got on my last nerve. I knew too many girls who I would have treated better than the bad boy that broke their heart. Other than that, ok...
Foxes/Clarity- best vocal so far, I like this! Unknown: why Vevo constantly thinks I want to stop in the middle of a song I'm listening to to listen to another song I could care less about. This rant brought to you by the Greater Fort Wayne Anti-Stupid Ad League...
#2 by Foxes wasn't bad, either. Liked Clarity better though.
Liked Zara #2. Nice to listen to without annoying inner voices this time!
Chrissie is by far the big talent here. Bost her songs were very good. Video needed to focus on her more though, lol!
I know I prolly don't need to let you know when I peek in, but I know some people out there like to follow "pageviews" and in the interests of raving paranoids out there, I feel better tipping my cap.
Thanks for leaving a courtesy announcement letting me know that you are aware of the new post and that you'll be back. It's a kind gesture and I always appreciate it when you do that. By the way, I need to let you know that I will be a day late getting to your Time Machine this week. Friday is going to be a super busy day for me on the road again and I would prefer to get up Saturday morning and listen to your tunes when I'm fresh and can hear the sound through my headphones here at home. I will remind you about this later in the week.
I remembered how much you liked Chrissy the first time around. (I'm a Janet man myself and also prefer Mary Ann to Ginger. :) Chrissy and her collabs always deliver the goods and I'm delighted that your ears (and eyes) agree with mine.
Regarding Zara's first song, I also get a little tired of girls reminding good guys like us that they prefer bad boys. I'm pleased that you singled out "Clarity" because nobody else has, and also tickled silly that you enjoyed "Lush Life." (I spent 30 years of my life as a lush. :)
Thanks again for coming over on day one, good buddy Chris. Have an excellent week and I will see you Saturday in the Time Machine!
I was trying to remember who you liked the last time... it was Chrissy. Oh My Goodness you know so much about all this music ! I really like the song Counting Stars. Hope your week is going well.
Thank you for swinging over from Arizona, dear friend!
I like all of the artists in this series, but Chrissy Costanza in particular impresses me with her lovely voice and her showmanship, her ability to sell a song. I'm pleased to know you enjoyed the cover of "Counting Stars" performed by Chrissy and her cohorts. I like their version better than the hit by OneRepublic.
Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend Gayle. Please smooch thehamish for me and enjoy the rest of your week!
Of the 3 I like Chrissy the best. Her voice is strong and she has a certain sweetness. Zara is stunning but her voice is just ok to me but what do I know. I felt she is trying too hard to be sexy and I just think she should let her voice be the thing to see. The other gal is a little better but I was getting mesmerized by the video because it reminded me of a Rorschach test:)
Jack Tripper here. :) Thank you very much for popping in for an episode of Three's Company, dear friend!
Chrissy seems to be winning lots of fans here on SDMM and you haven't heard the last of her.
In some of her songs and videos Swedish songbird Zara Larsson tries to be sexy and is, but Zara is versatile. Her career output is a mix of brash and sassy dance songs and sweeter, softer, mid tempo songs and ballads. Currently I am hooked on the dance beat and that's why I am presenting so much up tempo material this year.
I'm thrilled to know you enjoyed Foxes' collaboration with producer Zedd. Tell me, BB, as you took that Rorschach test, did you achieve "Clarity."?
Thank you again for your visit and comment, dear friend Birgit!
Awesome post, friend Shady ... am not a Bieber fan, because he will go down and crumble sooner or later like all the other promising entertainers, but liked the cover video a lot ... a lot ... Love, cat.
By the way and way besides the point, friend Shady but: ... The very first sitcom ever I saw after coming to Canada in 1982 was: Three's Company" ... I hated everything about it, but then I fell in love with Mr. Furly, and the test is history ... still in love with Furly to this day ... Love, cat.
These are excellent comments from you, cat, and greatly appreciated. I always love when people share more with me.
I am not a Bieber fan either and I agree that this cover by Chrissy and her young colleagues rocks. I haven't heard a single thing sung by Crissy that I don't like. She and her ATC band have graduated from doing covers and are recording and performing their own material. Next month they are headlining a world tour across Europe and Asia. Chrissy and her chums are "going places" (the name of an old Heather Locklear sitcom!)
I loved Don Knotts in all of his TV and movie roles. Mr. Furly didn't show up on Three's Company until season 4. If you have seen the earlier episodes you recall that Norman Fell played grumpy landlord Mr. Roper, a funny but not very likeable character.
Thank you again for the great comments, dear friend cat, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Your posts are so amazing to me because I rarely have heard of the performers you post about. Most of the music I listen to is classical so I'm pretty far out of the loop. But I always enjoy what you feature.
You remind me of another friend by the name of Kathleen - SDMM guest blogger Kathleen Mae Schneider. In her youth, most of Kathleen's experience with music was classical and the artists I present year in and year out are almost all new to her. Keep in mind, however, that I never heard of the three women in this post until a year ago when I began doing research for this year-long 12-part pop series.
I'm glad you enjoy learning about and listening to the singers and songs in my posts, dear friend Kathleen. Thanks again for dropping in and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady! Another post I love! I truly enjoy today's music and these young talented girls have it all! Of course I knew most of the covers. My fave being "Counting Stars"! I've heard "Clarity" a hundred times(and spin to it) but, never knew who sang that great hit! Thanks for showcasing Zedd's gifted flair and her extraordinary talents. Keep sharing the new artist with us. Hope you enjoy your weekend!
It seems like most of the songs in this 12-part pop series are familiar to you and energize you at spin class.
I love this cover of "Counting Stars" by Chrissy & Co. and their Bieber cover, too. After hearing "Clarity" a hundred times, I'm happy that you finally know that it is performed by Zedd featuring Foxes (Louisa Rose Allen).
Thank you again for attending this week's pop party, dear friend Toni, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hmmmm, i actually commented on the day you posted this. Where did it go? Oh well- i have no idea what i said. I probably mentioned that i liked this post and the music by Chrissy. Counting stars by One Republic is one of my fave songs right now. I used to love watching 3's company and remember almost every episode. The ropers were so funny- the wife always smoked. Remember when janet cut off her curly hair to a short style? I cant believe John Ritter is gone. Have a great weekend!
Thank you very much for coming, dear friend! I'm sorry your earlier comment vanished into thin air and I appreciate the return visit and second comment.
I'm delighted to know you like Chrissy Costanza and the talented singers and musicians with whom she performs. I predict she will be around for a long time!
I watched Three's Company off and on through its entire run and its cast changes. As with most series, the earlier seasons are the best. I certainly did enjoy grumpy Mr. Roper and his wife. As you might recall, actor Normal Fell also played grumpy landlord Mr. McCleery in the Dustin Hoffman movie The Graduate. I vaguely recall Janet having longer hair but she really got into the hot zone when she started wearing it short. Yessum, the entertainment world lost a comic genius when John Ritter passed away.
Thank you again for coming over to chat, dear friend Holli!
Thank you for coming over to sample my latest set of modern pop recordings, dear friend!
I seems like the rudder is turning and you are appreciating this style of music a little more than you were a few months ago. It makes us both happy to find something to like when we visit each other's blogs. I think you'll agree that these three female artists possess bolder, less girly voices than some of the others in the series. :) Time permitting I am curious to know what specifically you liked about one or more of these recordings that inspired you to call it an epic post.
Thank you again, dear friend Debbie, and have a safe and happy weekend!
Hi, Shady; I'm never going to be a pop music fan per se, but I can certainly recognize talent. IMO, Foxes has the best voice of the three. By "epic" I meant thorough and well presented, as all of your posts are. ☺ Wishing you a good Sunday!
Whoa, I'm so late! But I enjoyed all these talented youngsters! (Well, they look young to me!) I think I enjoyed Chrissy and her gang the best. I'm betting even Mr. Roper would approve! Amazing talent from overseas! I'm making this short and wondering where this week has gone?! Enjoyed the music and I'll look forward to the sequel...wait, didn't 3's company have a sequel?
I hear ya. At my age Granny Clampett looks young! :)
Chrissy Costanza seems to be doing many things right. She is surrounding herself with talented musicians, choosing covers that resonate with fans, recording fresh original material, and maintaining a vigorous touring schedule across America and around the world.
I agree that artists in the UK and Eastern and Western Europe are responsible for some of the greatest music being produced in recent years and Zara and Louisa are examples.
I don't think Three's Company had a sequel but you might recall the post-millennial John Ritter sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. Some people forget that Penny from Big Bang Theory played Ritter's daughter in the series. There was also a 2003 TV movie entitled Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three's Company that aired a few months before Ritter's untimely death.
Thank you again for your visit and comment, dear friend YaYa!
I LOVE the Counting Stars cover. :) All of the artists sound great, but I really love the Counting Stars song. They play Foxes from time to time o MTV U.
What is it about Bad Boys that make us women fall in love?! I sure went through my Bad Boy phase... I actually liked all your song choices here today Shady. Foxes I found very enjoyable and I really liked Counting Stars. Good stuff all the way around.
I took a break to come check out your Part 7. Thanks for the email or I may have missed it! :)
Thank you very much for breaking away from your busy life to pay me a visit. I just finished reading your email and thank you for that, too. I am happy to know that your burned fingers are on the mend and that you are not dealing with any other emergencies at this point in time.
You wrote:
<< What is it about Bad Boys that make us women fall in love?! >>
Yessum, that seems to be the age old question, one that Chris Martin (above) and I have been pondering. The problem I created for myself as a teenager at the Dell was being a good boy who was trying to look and act like a bad boy to impress the girls. It rarely worked out for me. :) I suppose you need to be certifiably bad to the bone before the women will flock to you. :)
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed Foxes (Louisa) and the latest from Chrissy and Co.
Thank you again for spending some time with me in the Shady, dear friend Michele. I'll be thinking about you and hoping that you have a safe and happy week ahead.
More good stuff by artists with who I am totally unfamiliar. There's so much good music being released that I can't even keep up with it all, but in reality I guess I never did since I continue to discover new stuff from the 60's and 70's.
I especially like the Costanza trio. Any group that uses a glockenspiel has to be commended.
“Words and photographs could never do those dancers justice because you had to be there - in a club with great music, like minded people and loads of atmosphere.” David Meikle of Glasgow, Scotland wrote those words in an article remembering the Twisted Wheel, the legendary northern soul club in Manchester, England. Yet, Mr. Meikle could just as easily have been describing the scene at my favorite "in" spot of the 1960s, the Shady Dell in York (Pennsylvania, not England).
THE SHADY DELL
YORK, PENNSYLVANIA
The Shady Dell: Part of York County's Colorful History
What began as a home based restaurant and bakery in 1945 evolved over the next two decades into the hottest teen nightspot in York county complete with indoor and outdoor dance floors. It went beyond that. Shady Dell owner John Ettline and his wife Helen put out the welcome mat offering hospitality, comfort, support, and encouragement to generations of young people. During its impressive 45-year life span the Dell became a home away from home for countless area youth from a variety of backgrounds.
At the height of its popularity in the early and mid 60s the Dell, located on the southern outskirts of the White Rose city, was as widely known as North York’s White Oak Park ("the Oaks"), Harrisburg's Raven club or any other youth-oriented venue in central Pennsylvania. The Dell attracted crowds from all over the region. It brought together under one roof kids from middle class families and kids from working class families - city kids, suburban kids, small town kids and farm kids.
The diverse cast of characters that constituted the Shady Dell family was a potentially volatile mix. Each of us had to find a way to fit in and get along (or risk being voted off the island). In the end, in spite of our differences, most of us learned to dance together without stepping on each other’s toes.
Shady Dell regulars were nicknamed Dell rats and we had at least two things in common: a love of the music that played on the Dell’s jukebox and a genuine respect for John and Helen Ettline who graciously made their home our home.
GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS
The Dell was a unique, magical coming of age experience - a proving ground - a secluded hideaway where adolescents could develop social skills, learn to handle responsibility and test the waters of adulthood free from the hassles of ubiquitous adult micromanagement.
SHOCKING TRUE CONFESSION: I WAS A TEENAGE DELL RAT! by Shady Del Knight
I became a Dell rat in 1965 at the age of fifteen. Disparaging rumors about the place had been circulating for years. If you were to believe the gossip the Dell was a snake pit where bad boys and bad girls went to do bad things. Some people, including my mother, referred to the Dell as a “den of iniquity.” Intrigued by the horror stories, I was determined to get there and see for myself what all the fuss was about.
In preparation for my grand entrance, I subjected myself to weeks of rigorous training at a Shady Dell boot camp of my own devise. I grew my hair longer and took up the smoking habit. I practiced in front of a mirror until I was convinced that my stance, walk, and dancing style were all cool.
To complete my extreme makeover, I went shopping for my 'uniform' which consisted of a tapered shirt from the Hub, slacks by H.I.S. and two wardrobe essentials: a pair of blue Jack Purcell sneakers and the all-important Baracuta jacket "Made in England." Wearing my 'Cuta' made me feel so terribly, terribly British, you know. Spot on for us bird watchin' blokes, right gov'na?
'JACKS'
AN ABSOLUTE MUST...FOR DANCIN' ON DELL DUST!
THE CLASSIC NATURAL COLOUR BARACUTA
STRICTLY CONTINENTAL, MATE!
Moment of Truth: Boy Meets Dell
Too young to drive, I made my first Dell visit happen by bumming a ride one night with my college-age cousin and two of his buddies. Clearly, none of the above was thrilled to be babysitting.
As we drove past York Hospital on South George and headed toward Violet Hill, what began as giddy anticipation was turning to apprehension. Fear of the unknown started creeping into my brain. What if the rumors turned out to be true? Would I soon be sharing a needle with a gang of rowdy bikers?
At Violet Hill, we made a dogleg turn to the right and began to climb the narrow, winding, bumpy Starcross Road. By this time my breathing had become labored and I felt queasy. It was as if, on a foolish dare, I had agreed to spend the night with Vincent Price in his House on Haunted Hill. Was it too late to leap from the car and bolt?
"I See the Lights... I See the Party Lights..."
We rounded a bend and I caught my first glimpse of her a short distance up the road. Perched on the hillside was a three-story brick house. Down to the left stood a barn. The festive glow of colored lights rose skyward from an area behind the house. As I would soon learn, the atmospheric illumination originated from strings of lanterns hanging above a patio rigged with remote speakers for outdoor dancing.
As we banked to make our final approach I detected the percussive beat of uptempo music emanating from the barn. We turned left into a gravel parking lot overflowing with vehicles. Here, in all of her rustic splendor, stood the infamous Shady Dell, my destination for the evening and my obsession for years to come!
I Found My Thrill on Violet Hill
My heart was thumping as we climbed the steps that led to the entrance and approached the admission booth. Following my cousin’s lead, I slid a quarter through the window and looked up to see a balding, bespectacled old man grinning back at me. Old? John Ettline would have been 59 at the time. I'm older than that now. Yikes!
“Good evening, gentlemen!” John delivered his cheerful salutation in a booming baritone. Immediately, my anxiety vanished. John’s warm welcome made me feel right at home. It made me feel like I belonged. I didn’t get it at the time but later came to realize that John’s presupposition that we were "gentlemen" was a clever and tactful way of admonishing us to behave accordingly.
Toto, I've a Feeling We're Not in Kansas Anymore!
From the moment I entered the compound I was hooked. The Shady Dell was a private playground for teenagers - a candy land - a fun factory - a safe haven where kids could congregate and blow off steam without having to worry about parents and teachers giving them the evil eye. Instantly I became intoxicated - not by alcohol - but by a sense of total freedom. The place gave off a vibe that was completely new to me – an exhilarating blend of romance, adventure and danger!
Instead of placing a ton of restrictions on their young patrons, John and Helen granted them the independence they craved. The Ettlines were willing to take a step back and trust our judgment. It was okay for us to party as long as things didn’t get out of hand. Most of us eagerly embraced that arrangement. If and when we screwed up, the Ettlines gave us another chance. John and Helen cut you plenty of slack, but if you disrespected them or trashed their establishment both were capable of unleashing a fiery temper.
Of Rats and Men
Contrary to popular belief, the Dell did not harbor gangs of juvenile delinquents eager to conceal their wicked deeds from law enforcement. Sorry, Mom - there weren’t any guns, switchblades or brass knuckles - no gangs, career criminals or prostitutes - just a bunch of ordinary teenagers who loved to meet, mix and mingle, dance and have fun.
Fights were few and far between. There was tacit agreement that it was our duty to preserve and protect the unique setting that the Ettlines had created for us. It required us to police ourselves to prevent incidents that would generate negative publicity or hassles with the law. Scuffles were settled quickly, often through John’s bold intervention. The first lesson a guy learned at the Dell was as follows. Don’t let the gray hair fool you. Nobody messes with John. He’s the boss!
A Special Welcome to All Incoming Freshmen!
I was punched in the face three times during my first year of matriculation on the campus of the Shady Dell School of Hard Knocks. Apparently a few of the guys were determined to teach me a lesson. Yet, getting socked in the kisser did not dampen my enthusiasm or scare me away from the place. In fact they had the opposite effect. They whet my appetite for more! As a Dell newbie desperate to break free of mom’s apron strings and earn respect and acceptance, I wasn’t about to let a bloody nose deter me. For the first time in my life I felt like a man instead of a boy and I loved it. Like Secret Agent Man I was living a life of danger. I was addicted to the rush!
Determined to create an image that would allow me to blend in, appeal to the ladies and avoid becoming a frequent target of the tribe's dominant males, I did a lot of posing, posturing and pretending. I decided that it would be advantageous for me to look tough even though I wasn't. Whenever I strolled into the dance hall, I made sure that my hair was messed up, my shirt tail was hanging out, a lit cigarette was dangling from my lips and my game face was on.
One afternoon before anybody else arrived, my best friend and I rolled around on the dance floor of the barn so that we could properly break-in our new Baracuta jackets by getting them coated with Dell dust. This drove my mother crazy. She kept asking me how I got my jacket so badly soiled. She was even more perplexed when I forbade her to get it cleaned. How could I explain to her that I didn’t want to risk weakening my status with the other guys by wearing a clean jacket?
In my mom’s day the ideal guy wore a white sport coat and a pink carnation. His hair was neatly cropped, oiled down and slicked back off his forehead. That look would have spelled social suicide at the Dell in the mid 60s. My goal was to look like I had just been in a fight at reform school, and if I got my uniform dirty or bloodied in combat, it was a GOOD thing.
Helen & John Ettline
Shady Dell Owners
Helen and John: Not Your Typical Mom and Pop
Even by mid 60s standards, John Ettline seemed part of a vanishing breed of men. John never called me by my first name. He always chose to address me as “Mr. Knight." John maintained that friendly formality through all the years I knew him. I’m very glad he did. John always made me feel important when he added the title “Mr.” to my name. Making insecure teenagers feel good about themselves was John’s greatest gift. He always treated young people with dignity and respect and that made them want to return it.
Along with his outstanding people skills, John possessed a photographic memory. He could always match a face with a name. He seemed to know a lot about anything or anybody that you happened to be discussing. John Ettline had a million stories to tell - all of them interesting.
Although old enough to be our grandparents, there was no generation gap between the Ettlines and their teenage guests. They seemed to remember better than other grown-ups what it was like to be young. John and Helen stayed in touch and in tune with the youth culture. Never was that more in evidence than one day at the York Fair in September, 1968. I was sitting in the grandstand awaiting the start of the James Brown concert. I turned around to search the crowd for familiar faces and there, a few rows behind me, sat Helen and John. In a year when racial tension was running high in York and elsewhere, it was remarkable to see a white couple in their 60s at a James Brown concert, chanting along with the rest of us, “Say It Loud: I’m Black and I’m Proud!”
John and Helen were cool. Young people felt at ease talking with them. Unlike many adults, John and Helen listened to us. They cared without preaching or judging. The Ettlines treated their teen visitors like extended family. They believed in the potential of every young person, including troubled youth from broken homes. They spoke to us about the value of an education and honest hard work. They sponsored athletic programs and honored America’s armed forces. They shaped young lives by instilling a sense of pride and self esteem. John and Helen went out of their way to make all of their kids feel like somebody - even those whose families were telling them they were nobody.
The Dell Jukebox: ALL KILLER AND NO FILLER!
Upon arriving on the Dell scene I soon realized that the jukebox in the dance hall was loaded with the greatest, most danceable records to be found anywhere. There were quite a few songs that I had never heard before and would never hear anywhere else. The music mix that played nightly at the Dell was consistently better than what I was hearing on the radio. In the mid 60s the Dell's musical menu was an exciting blend of Motown, Chi-town, New York and Philly soul, Memphis, southern R&B, blue-eyed soul, Brit beat, sunshine pop, garage, psych and folk-rock plus a few do-wop favorites held over from the 50s.
Shady Dell regulars, the gang I now refer to as the Rodentia Intelligentsia, prided themselves on having radar for cool. Year in and year out they discovered and popularized songs that radio stations across the country overlooked. Records that lingered near the bottom of the national chart often became cherished classics at the Dell. Forgotten flips were elevated to mega-hit status by Dell rats unfettered by the limitations of radio play lists.
Certain songs resonated with the Dell crowd to such an extent that they stayed on the jukebox for years. The best example of this phenomenon is the record ranked #1 on my survey of the 200 Greatest Hits Of The Shady Dell. It remained one of the most popular jukebox selections a dozen years after its initial release in the 50s. That very special song, the greatest and longest lasting Shady Dell hit of all time, was "Close Your Eyes" by the Five Keys.
THE FIVE KEYS
"Close Your Eyes" Ranked #1
Del-Chords & Magnificent Men
Another mighty evergreen at the Shady Dell was "Everybody’s Gotta Lose Someday," an intense, power-packed r&b/soul ballad by the Del-Chords, a racially mixed group from York. Released in 1964, the record was still being played heavily two years later, jamming the floor with slow dancers several times a night. Dave Bupp and Buddy King, lead vocalists from the Del-Chords, eventually merged with band members of Harrisburg’s Endells to form a blue-eyed soul group called the Magnificent Men. The “Mag Men,” as we called them, were white guys who had a passion for black music and the vocal talent and musicianship to authentically perform it. Their inspiring ballad "Peace of Mind" was the first in an impressive string of Dell hits for our hometown heroes.
Magnificent Men
HEAVY HITTERS AT THE DELL!
The Emperors of Harrisburg
Records by the Emperors, another home-grown act, were also enormously popular with Dell dancers. A black group from the state capital, the Emperors were exponents of the “Harrisburg sound,” a blend of r&b, soul, garage and Latin influences. "Karate," the Emperors’ best known recording, was the first of eight raw, funky, organ-driven numbers to achieve hit status at the Dell in 1966 and 1967.
THE EMPERORS
DELL ROYALTY - THEY RULED!
End of an Era
Once addicted to the Dell, I pretty much lived there until the fall of 1967 when I left York to attend an institution of higher learning. Over the next four years I visited my Dell family whenever possible during holidays, spring breaks, and summer vacations. My stint as a Dell rat officially ended in 1971 when I found a job in another city and moved away from York for good.
My final visit to the Dell came in March of 1984 when my career took me out of state. My last piece of business before leaving was to drop in at the Dell and say a final goodbye. I entered the house to find John sitting on a stool at the lunch counter reading the newspaper. “Well, hello stranger!” John bellowed, rising to his feet and extending his hand. “Long time no see, Mr. Knight!" After shaking hands with John and exchanging a few pleasantries, I inquired about Helen. I was stunned to learn that she had passed away a few weeks earlier. I never got the news! John and I stood alone in Helen’s snack bar, reminiscing about the good old days and lamenting how much things had changed since the Dell’s golden era.
After a brief chat with John I excused myself and walked down the sidewalk to check out the barn. The old dance hall was dimly lit and nearly vacant. The only customers were two boys with shoulder length hair standing by the jukebox with a couple of girls. No music was playing. The place was dead or, more accurately, in the final lonely stages of life. If it had been twenty years earlier, the joint would have been jumpin’. The four young people eyed me suspiciously. Is this guy a narc? I put myself in their combat boots and realized that the sight of a stranger in his mid thirties was probably making this new generation of Dell rats uncomfortable. I promptly exited the barn and returned to the house to bid farewell to John.
That night marked the last time I ever saw John or entered the Shady Dell. I made one final pilgrimage in 1988 when I returned to Pennsylvania to visit my parents. I drove up to the Dell one afternoon with every intention of going inside. I’m sure I would have encountered a smiling John Ettline and that he would have immediately remembered my name. Yet, I never got out of the car. I chose not to enter because I didn’t want to further contaminate my memories by seeing how much older John looked and how much more dilapidated the Dell had become. All I could do was sit there in the parking lot gazing at the barn, the house, the bench and the steps to the admission booth where the whole journey started. My mind flooded with a thousand memories of the people, the place, and the time of my life.
John Ettline closed the Dell in the fall of 1991. He died at the beginning of 1993. John’s family auctioned off the restaurant equipment, signage and other Dell paraphernalia in the spring of that year.
(Mike Argento's 1993 article in the York Daily Record was used as a reference source for portions of this cover story.)
I remember Chrissy from your earlier post-- great voice and she sings with zest and feeling. The other two artists are new to me. Zara is an exciting young performer. I especially enjoyed her calypso number Lush Life-- It would be a perfect song to play at a summer pool party. With her talent that Swedish girl could become a household name in America. Foxes has a great voice and her song and video Body Talk is my favorite-- a retro sound from the 80's. I agree that she sounds a lot like Martha Davis on that one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing back Chrissy and for introducing two more entertaining singers in Three's Company.
Hi, Kathryn!
DeleteThanks for coming to this week's pop party - Three's Company!
Chrissy and her band Against the Current are going strong. They toured the UK and Europe earlier this year and toured the U.S. this summer. Two weeks from now they set off again for Europe and Asia on their In Our Bones World Tour in support of their latest album.
You probably like Zara Larsson because she identifies as a feminist. :) The gifted Swedish songbird has a new album coming out next month. Louisa Rose Allen (Foxes) describes her musical style as "experimental pop." Along with her talents in the recording studio Louisa has been described as a "fashion maven." As Wiki explains << Her fashion sense has been influenced by fellow singer Cyndi Lauper and characters in films such as Empire Records (1995) and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997), as well as by grunge fashions and Japanese street fashion. >>
I'm glad you enjoyed Three's Company, Kathryn. Thanks again for being here!
I very much enjoyed this edition! You know, I thought Zara's name was Sara. I've heard her before. She's talented. I'm so glad I'm straight on her name now. I'd have to say my favorite was Foxes Body Talk. I had not heard that one before. (And I'm not quite sure where to put the apostrophe in her name.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all of this. Have a wonderful week!
Hi, Sherry!
DeleteThanks for visiting as I present the first new episode of Three's Company in 32 years. I hope you appreciate the new characters! :)
Yessum, it's Zara with a Z, and she is one of several fine young Swedish pop stars to emerge in this millennium. Recently I introduced an artist called September and I will be presenting another great Swedish songstress very soon.
Isn't "Body Talk" a great throwback to the 80s? That one has to be my Pick To Click as well. Foxes is quite a unique name for a solo artist, don't you think?
Thank you again for your visit and comment, dear friend Zherry... uh, I mean Sherry! :)
That was not the Body Talk song I'm familiar with...
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine getting a deal before you became a teenager? Especially knowing what fame does to many that age.
Hi, Alex!
DeleteThanks for dropping in, good buddy!
That's right. Guys like us are more familiar with the heavy metal hit "Body Talk" by the underrated 80s band Kix. I was shocked to hear the sound of the Motels in this post-millennial recording by Foxes.
The only deal that I landed before I reached my teens was earning a quarter every time I mowed the lawn. :)
Thanks again, Alex, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady!
ReplyDeleteYou weren't kidding when you called Chrissy and friends the Terrific Trio! Their vocals are fantastic.
But Foxes (gotta love that name)shines quite well in those interesting videos,
while Zara is a songbird on a mission to unseat the likes of Swift or even Lambert, as I bet Zara would have a decent run at cross-overs.
All in all, a pleasing mix of musical paragons, dear Shady! Smile, you're on Candid Comments :-)
Hi, Diedre!
DeleteHow are you today, dear friend? Thank you very much for joining the fun!
Yessum, I am very impressed with Chrissy (not Suzanne Somers' Chrissy Snow). She and her cohorts started as cover artists and did a great job of it as demonstrated here, but they also write their own songs and have been touring extensively for several years. They're on their way!
I'm glad you enjoyed Foxes' songs and vids. The "cold intro" on "Body Talk" grabs me every time and immediately transports me back to the sounds of the last great decade, the Eighties.
Zing went the strings the first time I saw and heard Zara. :) I have her album 1 and am eagerly awaiting her second album slated to hit the street next month. Zara is talented and versatile, able to convincingly perform dance pop, pop rap and pop ballads.
Thank you again for joining the pop party, dear friend Diedre, and enjoy the rest of your week!
I was here, I'll be back after Laurie leaves for work. She's watching little league world series.
ReplyDeleteHi, Chris!
DeleteAOK, good buddy! Thanks for taking a sneak peek. I'll see you later.
Ok I'm back. I well remember ATC and I know the song, although I never knew looked into who did it. I like this version FAR better.
DeleteZara Larsson- this is not really a bang on the song per se- but this whole "good girls going after bad boys" thing long since got on my last nerve. I knew too many girls who I would have treated better than the bad boy that broke their heart. Other than that, ok...
Foxes/Clarity- best vocal so far, I like this! Unknown: why Vevo constantly thinks I want to stop in the middle of a song I'm listening to to listen to another song I could care less about. This rant brought to you by the Greater Fort Wayne Anti-Stupid Ad League...
#2 by Foxes wasn't bad, either. Liked Clarity better though.
Liked Zara #2. Nice to listen to without annoying inner voices this time!
Chrissie is by far the big talent here. Bost her songs were very good. Video needed to focus on her more though, lol!
I know I prolly don't need to let you know when I peek in, but I know some people out there like to follow "pageviews" and in the interests of raving paranoids out there, I feel better tipping my cap.
Hi again Chris!
DeleteThanks for leaving a courtesy announcement letting me know that you are aware of the new post and that you'll be back. It's a kind gesture and I always appreciate it when you do that. By the way, I need to let you know that I will be a day late getting to your Time Machine this week. Friday is going to be a super busy day for me on the road again and I would prefer to get up Saturday morning and listen to your tunes when I'm fresh and can hear the sound through my headphones here at home. I will remind you about this later in the week.
I remembered how much you liked Chrissy the first time around. (I'm a Janet man myself and also prefer Mary Ann to Ginger. :) Chrissy and her collabs always deliver the goods and I'm delighted that your ears (and eyes) agree with mine.
Regarding Zara's first song, I also get a little tired of girls reminding good guys like us that they prefer bad boys. I'm pleased that you singled out "Clarity" because nobody else has, and also tickled silly that you enjoyed "Lush Life." (I spent 30 years of my life as a lush. :)
Thanks again for coming over on day one, good buddy Chris. Have an excellent week and I will see you Saturday in the Time Machine!
I was trying to remember who you liked the last time... it was Chrissy.
ReplyDeleteOh My Goodness you know so much about all this music !
I really like the song Counting Stars.
Hope your week is going well.
cheers, parsnip and thehamish
Hi, Gayle!
DeleteThank you for swinging over from Arizona, dear friend!
I like all of the artists in this series, but Chrissy Costanza in particular impresses me with her lovely voice and her showmanship, her ability to sell a song. I'm pleased to know you enjoyed the cover of "Counting Stars" performed by Chrissy and her cohorts. I like their version better than the hit by OneRepublic.
Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend Gayle. Please smooch thehamish for me and enjoy the rest of your week!
Of the 3 I like Chrissy the best. Her voice is strong and she has a certain sweetness. Zara is stunning but her voice is just ok to me but what do I know. I felt she is trying too hard to be sexy and I just think she should let her voice be the thing to see. The other gal is a little better but I was getting mesmerized by the video because it reminded me of a Rorschach test:)
ReplyDeleteHi, dear Birgit!
DeleteJack Tripper here. :) Thank you very much for popping in for an episode of Three's Company, dear friend!
Chrissy seems to be winning lots of fans here on SDMM and you haven't heard the last of her.
In some of her songs and videos Swedish songbird Zara Larsson tries to be sexy and is, but Zara is versatile. Her career output is a mix of brash and sassy dance songs and sweeter, softer, mid tempo songs and ballads. Currently I am hooked on the dance beat and that's why I am presenting so much up tempo material this year.
I'm thrilled to know you enjoyed Foxes' collaboration with producer Zedd. Tell me, BB, as you took that Rorschach test, did you achieve "Clarity."?
Thank you again for your visit and comment, dear friend Birgit!
There are several types of clarity so I'll have to get back to you on that:)
Delete:)
DeleteAwesome post, friend Shady ... am not a Bieber fan, because he will go down and crumble sooner or later like all the other promising entertainers, but liked the cover video a lot ... a lot ... Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteBy the way and way besides the point, friend Shady but: ... The very first sitcom ever I saw after coming to Canada in 1982 was: Three's Company" ... I hated everything about it, but then I fell in love with Mr. Furly, and the test is history ... still in love with Furly to this day ... Love, cat.
DeleteHi, cat!
DeleteHow are you today, my furry feline friend? :)
These are excellent comments from you, cat, and greatly appreciated. I always love when people share more with me.
I am not a Bieber fan either and I agree that this cover by Chrissy and her young colleagues rocks. I haven't heard a single thing sung by Crissy that I don't like. She and her ATC band have graduated from doing covers and are recording and performing their own material. Next month they are headlining a world tour across Europe and Asia. Chrissy and her chums are "going places" (the name of an old Heather Locklear sitcom!)
I loved Don Knotts in all of his TV and movie roles. Mr. Furly didn't show up on Three's Company until season 4. If you have seen the earlier episodes you recall that Norman Fell played grumpy landlord Mr. Roper, a funny but not very likeable character.
Thank you again for the great comments, dear friend cat, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Your posts are so amazing to me because I rarely have heard of the performers you post about. Most of the music I listen to is classical so I'm pretty far out of the loop. But I always enjoy what you feature.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen!
DeleteThanks for coming, dear friend!
You remind me of another friend by the name of Kathleen - SDMM guest blogger Kathleen Mae Schneider. In her youth, most of Kathleen's experience with music was classical and the artists I present year in and year out are almost all new to her. Keep in mind, however, that I never heard of the three women in this post until a year ago when I began doing research for this year-long 12-part pop series.
I'm glad you enjoy learning about and listening to the singers and songs in my posts, dear friend Kathleen. Thanks again for dropping in and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady!
ReplyDeleteAnother post I love! I truly enjoy today's music and these young talented girls have it all! Of course I knew most of the covers. My fave being "Counting Stars"! I've heard "Clarity" a hundred times(and spin to it) but, never knew who sang that great hit! Thanks for showcasing Zedd's gifted flair and her extraordinary talents. Keep sharing the new artist with us. Hope you enjoy your weekend!
Hi, Toni!
DeleteThank you very much for dropping by, dear friend!
It seems like most of the songs in this 12-part pop series are familiar to you and energize you at spin class.
I love this cover of "Counting Stars" by Chrissy & Co. and their Bieber cover, too. After hearing "Clarity" a hundred times, I'm happy that you finally know that it is performed by Zedd featuring Foxes (Louisa Rose Allen).
Thank you again for attending this week's pop party, dear friend Toni, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hmmmm, i actually commented on the day you posted this. Where did it go? Oh well- i have no idea what i said. I probably mentioned that i liked this post and the music by Chrissy. Counting stars by One Republic is one of my fave songs right now.
ReplyDeleteI used to love watching 3's company and remember almost every episode. The ropers were so funny- the wife always smoked. Remember when janet cut off her curly hair to a short style? I cant believe John Ritter is gone.
Have a great weekend!
Hi, Holli!
DeleteThank you very much for coming, dear friend! I'm sorry your earlier comment vanished into thin air and I appreciate the return visit and second comment.
I'm delighted to know you like Chrissy Costanza and the talented singers and musicians with whom she performs. I predict she will be around for a long time!
I watched Three's Company off and on through its entire run and its cast changes. As with most series, the earlier seasons are the best. I certainly did enjoy grumpy Mr. Roper and his wife. As you might recall, actor Normal Fell also played grumpy landlord Mr. McCleery in the Dustin Hoffman movie The Graduate. I vaguely recall Janet having longer hair but she really got into the hot zone when she started wearing it short. Yessum, the entertainment world lost a comic genius when John Ritter passed away.
Thank you again for coming over to chat, dear friend Holli!
Lovely and talented, all! You certainly are an authority on current female pop stars, Shady. Another epic post! Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi, Debbie the Doglady!
DeleteThank you for coming over to sample my latest set of modern pop recordings, dear friend!
I seems like the rudder is turning and you are appreciating this style of music a little more than you were a few months ago. It makes us both happy to find something to like when we visit each other's blogs. I think you'll agree that these three female artists possess bolder, less girly voices than some of the others in the series. :) Time permitting I am curious to know what specifically you liked about one or more of these recordings that inspired you to call it an epic post.
Thank you again, dear friend Debbie, and have a safe and happy weekend!
Hi, Shady; I'm never going to be a pop music fan per se, but I can certainly recognize talent. IMO, Foxes has the best voice of the three. By "epic" I meant thorough and well presented, as all of your posts are. ☺ Wishing you a good Sunday!
DeleteWhoa, I'm so late! But I enjoyed all these talented youngsters! (Well, they look young to me!) I think I enjoyed Chrissy and her gang the best. I'm betting even Mr. Roper would approve! Amazing talent from overseas! I'm making this short and wondering where this week has gone?! Enjoyed the music and I'll look forward to the sequel...wait, didn't 3's company have a sequel?
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thanks for coming down!
You wrote:
<< Well, they look young to me! >>
I hear ya. At my age Granny Clampett looks young! :)
Chrissy Costanza seems to be doing many things right. She is surrounding herself with talented musicians, choosing covers that resonate with fans, recording fresh original material, and maintaining a vigorous touring schedule across America and around the world.
I agree that artists in the UK and Eastern and Western Europe are responsible for some of the greatest music being produced in recent years and Zara and Louisa are examples.
I don't think Three's Company had a sequel but you might recall the post-millennial John Ritter sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. Some people forget that Penny from Big Bang Theory played Ritter's daughter in the series. There was also a 2003 TV movie entitled Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three's Company that aired a few months before Ritter's untimely death.
Thank you again for your visit and comment, dear friend YaYa!
Hi Dear Shady,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the Counting Stars cover. :) All of the artists sound great, but I really love the Counting Stars song. They play Foxes from time to time o MTV U.
Jessica
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteWelcome back to SDMM, my old/young friend. It's been so long I hardly recognized you! :)
Given your age and your musical tastes, I expected you to be familiar with one or more of these post-millennial female pop artists.
I listened to the OneRepublic original and I still prefer the version by Chrissy, Janet & Jack. :)
I'm happy to know that the English thrush known as Foxes is getting exposure on MTV.
Thanks for coming by, JM. I hope you'll stick around because the parade of pop continues next month. Have a great week!
What is it about Bad Boys that make us women fall in love?! I sure went through my Bad Boy phase...
ReplyDeleteI actually liked all your song choices here today Shady. Foxes I found very enjoyable and I really liked Counting Stars. Good stuff all the way around.
I took a break to come check out your Part 7. Thanks for the email or I may have missed it! :)
XOXO
Michele at Angels Bark
Hi, Michele!
DeleteThank you very much for breaking away from your busy life to pay me a visit. I just finished reading your email and thank you for that, too. I am happy to know that your burned fingers are on the mend and that you are not dealing with any other emergencies at this point in time.
You wrote:
<< What is it about Bad Boys that make us women fall in love?! >>
Yessum, that seems to be the age old question, one that Chris Martin (above) and I have been pondering. The problem I created for myself as a teenager at the Dell was being a good boy who was trying to look and act like a bad boy to impress the girls. It rarely worked out for me. :) I suppose you need to be certifiably bad to the bone before the women will flock to you. :)
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed Foxes (Louisa) and the latest from Chrissy and Co.
Thank you again for spending some time with me in the Shady, dear friend Michele. I'll be thinking about you and hoping that you have a safe and happy week ahead.
These are dope music, Shady. Nice picks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Luxie!
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this modern pop play list!
More good stuff by artists with who I am totally unfamiliar. There's so much good music being released that I can't even keep up with it all, but in reality I guess I never did since I continue to discover new stuff from the 60's and 70's.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the Costanza trio. Any group that uses a glockenspiel has to be commended.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Tom,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing today that you featured Foxes on your site. I really enjoyed "Body Talk". Have a good weekend, my friend!