Late summer 1966. Hot, we had never heard of air conditioning. 1 AM and dad says "let's go for a ride". We head for the '64 brown (Almond Fawn) Chevy Biscayne parked at the curb. Head down Chalmers and turn right at Jefferson on the way to Belle Isle. Dad driving and me (all of 11) riding shotgun. Dad pulls a pack of Chesterfields out of his shirt pocket and snaps his Zippo open, lights a smoke and snaps the lighter closed all in one move.
The smell of that cigarette lingers to this day.
I reach for the radio and tune in 1270 WXYZ. 15 minutes later we are crossing the bridge to the island. We head for the South end and Scott fountain, an enormous marble edifice, illuminated by different colored lights that changed every 15 seconds or so, blue to red to green. It was a magnificent sight and we had it all to our selves. Freighters glided by on the Detroit river We would sit silently and watch. Then we'd head back to the two family flat on Chalmers listening to WXYZ, coconspirator's on a small adventure. The music seemed exotic and far away.
Then I heard "My Little Red Book" by "Love" and I was hooked.
I reach for the radio and tune in 1270 WXYZ. 15 minutes later we are crossing the bridge to the island. We head for the South end and Scott fountain, an enormous marble edifice, illuminated by different colored lights that changed every 15 seconds or so, blue to red to green. It was a magnificent sight and we had it all to our selves. Freighters glided by on the Detroit river We would sit silently and watch. Then we'd head back to the two family flat on Chalmers listening to WXYZ, coconspirator's on a small adventure. The music seemed exotic and far away.
Then I heard "My Little Red Book" by "Love" and I was hooked.
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