I was a freshmen at Tech in 1965, but did not attend the Julie London WC concert. However, I did attend both the Homecoming and Winter Carnival concerts in 1966 – 1968.
Best regards,
Jim Kubiak MTU – BSCE 1968
The singer you pictured from the 1965 winter carnival is Julie London. I attended that concert. The most memorable one was at the 1966 winter carnival when the Mitchell Trio performed. John Denver was part of that group at the time and of course would go on to become a star in his own right. My fiancée came up from Ohio to attend winter carnival with me that year and we attended the concert We were married the following year and spent my senior year together at Tech. We are still married after 48 years.
Alan Newman class of 1968
Scott:
I believe the answer to your 1965 Winter Carnival celebrity question is Julie London and yes, I was there since I started as a freshman in the fall of 1964. One of my favorite concerts was the following year (1966) with the Mitchell Trio (formerly the Chad Mitchell trio) and Godfrey Cambridge, a black comedian that kept the audience in laughter. John Denver was part of the Mitchell Trio at that time and they warmed up at the Delta Sigma Phi house prior to the concert and gathered background info on the Michigan Tech scene which they humorously used in their concert.
Bill Hanna ’68
Delta Sigma Phi
This was before my time but the Pictorial from 1965 (http://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/wintercarnival/11/) shows that the singer is Julie London who performed with the Bobbie Troup Trio. The gentlemen in the picture are also identified as Dave Stallard and Don Truax from Blue Key and Student Council respectively.
Steve Misenheimer ‘81
The celebrity at the 1965 carnival was Julie London. She is shown in the picture with two of the Blue Key officers, I can’t remember the name of the one on the left . The one on the right is Don Truax. I sat on the front row for the concert with my girlfriend, now my wife of 50 years. Julie sang the Marlboro commercial at the time. She asked if anyone had a Marlboro and I reached for the pack in my pocket but my wife punched me in the ribs and I left them in my pocket. A guy three seats down from us brought out his pack and Julie came down off the stage and sat in his lap while she sang the Marlboro commercial song. After 50 year I still haven’t forgiven my wife for that punch in the ribs.
Harry Glidden ‘65
Hi Scott,
The celebrity at the 1965 Winter Carnival was Julie London. I did not attend the concert but do remember others that did saying that she commented on the quality of work on the oxen in our Beta Sigma Psi statue “Toil, Our Heritage”.
John Koskela
BSEE 1966
I remember her well, Julie London. A wonderful, sexy singer. She performed with her husband and band, whose name I don’t remember so well, Bobby Troup. I still play her music today. I should also mention that the student on the right hand side of the picture is Donald Truax, my roommate in the fall of 1962. Thanks for memories.
Joe Wood ‘67
That was Julie London. When I saw the picture, I knew immediately who it was. It was a big deal back in 1965 when I was a freshman.
Neil Lander
BSChE ’68
Scott,
That was Julie London. She gave an outstanding performance. I did hear a few comments that it seemed more like a nightclub act than a concert performance. I didn’t have any issues with that.
Frank Duffey, 1968
That would be Julie London who performed with her husband’s band, Bobby Troup. She later played the nurse Dixie on Emergency.
Jim Hansen ‘67
Dear Scott,
Fifty years has been a long time but I remember that the ‘Roof Top Singers’ came to The Tech to entertain. I guess that another clue is that the photo showed two men and one woman – the same combination as the Roof Top Singers.
The group was a trio who all sang and the two men played guitars. I can’t remember the names of the group members but I remember that their big hit was ‘Walk Right In’.
(The only other singer that I remember visiting The Tech that year was Julie London.)- It was Julie London, John. And yes, 50 years is a long time. Scott
John Hughes ME ‘65
The musical group The Association came to town for one of the winter carnival concerts in the late 1960s (or maybe 1970). I remember standing up all night in line to get tickets with a packed crowd in the old ROTC gym.
Tom Ala 1970
I remember John Deutschendorf aka John Denver performing in Sherman Gym around the time.
Timothy Rosemeyer ‘68
As I’ve seen other people relate, the Linda Ronstadt concert in 1968 or 69 was the most memorable for me and my wife.
For some reason Ronstadt decided to come to Tech without the Stone Poneys. With them she had created current pop hits, that we were looking forward to hearing. She decided to perform “country” type songs, that none of us had ever heard her sing. Besides, country music was no where near as popular then as it is now. Anyway, after waiting patiently through many unfamiliar songs, the crowd became restless. I think many started to chant, which was not typical behavior for that time. Ronstadt only responded with more of the same. Booing resulted and we watched most of the audience walk out, as Ronstadt berated us. Saying we should get with the times, that country music is what’s happening.
I’ve had a life-long dislike for Ronstadt and her blatant disrespect for her fans.
Camiel ‘70 & Anne Marie Thorrez ‘71
A big thank you to everyone who took the time to write and reminisce. Good memories! – Scott
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Scott,
I find it interesting any time the topic of diversity appears.
I am likely from the “old school”, however have always considered my time at Tech to have encompassed a fully diverse aspect. Maybe the “numbers” did not support that argument, however from my background it was a very diverse atmosphere and one that required adjustment to situations that did not always “include” me as some instructors were not inclusive. That is part of adjusting to society and a lesson sometimes difficult to learn. Back then there was no easy way to address such issues, however out in the real world there was no one to stand by and make sure ones feelings were caressed each time there was some question.
Hopefully Tech does not fall into the trap of PC approaches to make anyone think there will always be someone there to stand in the way of any adverse concerns a person might have that is incapable of making their own decisions and think through how to deal with challenging situations. Of course the legal group are more than willing to fill this situation no longer considered a void. When the buzz word of diversity filtered through the corporate world our group was not included until after the program was in place for over two years. Not a very suitable approach to “diversity” – in my humble opinion.
I considered the education at Tech as always providing a good diversity whether or not the subject was formally addressed – in my humble opinion.
There will always be diverse views. Hopefully the approach at Tech in considering this point will focus on communication rather than any one that is disadvantaged and setting up “safe havens” and “guides” for protecting feelings, etc.. The only one disadvantaged is the one that does not know how to communicate. Becoming part of society is learning the importance of communication for everyone in spite of the many egos that will be encountered. It seems the course for diversity should be better labeled “Communication in Life”.
I hope to consider continuing support of the education I had at Tech as far as I can discern that education format exists.
Just some thoughts.
Thomas Stoner
’70
Scott -
It’s great to hear that Tech’s diversity problem is being recognized and addressed, and especially that this is seen going beyond just race and gender (which are important too, of course).
As an Atheist, I often saw the privilege given to Christianity at Tech when I was there from ’88 to ’92. For a University that is so based on technology and evidence, this was sad.
Best-
Jon Cleland Host ‘92
Scott,
If this is the sum of Kevin’s parting shot message to Alum, then perhaps it’s good for a regime change. Political correctness is way past prime time & this focus cannot benefit Tech in my opinion.
Resources need to be spent on a quality education rather than on coddling whatever perceived differences may exist between students. Diversity is a natural occurrence that does not require detection, identification and accommodation in the misguided attempt to make all equal. Some will make it and some will fail. Joining the PC parade is not the way to go in my opinion.
Larry Zadonick ’62
Thank you for the diverse perspectives on diversity! – Scott
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I remember classes in Hubbell Hall in 1960, 61, 62.
Lance Dyar Class of 64
I remember having classes in Hubbell Hall when I attended Tech in 1958. What I remember the most about it were coiled up knotted ropes attached to horizontal bars across the windows on the upper floors, which were intended to be used as a fire escape!
Ron LaPoint – Class of 1962
I heard through the local newspaper that you finally had enough snow to host the NCAA Nordic Ski Competition. What caught my eye in the article was that our own Bridger Ski Foundation skier won the 3 kilometer race. I learned to cross country ski while at MTU and skied on trails that were nearly wide spots in the woods above the Forestry Building. There was often a group of us that would go out at noon time and ski with Marty Jurgensen. Ahhhhhh, the memories!
Alice J. Jones Biol ‘75
Hello,
This morning, on my walk to work, I started singing, it sounded better in head, I’m sure, two different songs from my years at Tech. I’m having trouble coming up with the name for one of them. This song was played by the MTU Pep Band during home, and at least some, away hockey games. The crowd would get to its collective feet and sway (left and right) along with the band. I want to say this song’s name is the ‘Copper Country Anthem’, but I can’t swear to it. Okay, I didn’t sing to this song, but I hummed and swayed back and forth. Hmmm, that’s probably why the other folks near me were looking at me a little strange.
The other song’s name I remember a bit better. The ‘Engineers Song’. At least that’s what comes to mind.
So, my two questions are, 1) Does the Pep band still play the swaying side to side song, and what is its name?
Second, does anyone know where I can get all the lyrics for the ‘Engineers Song’? I seem to recall there being a great many; more than most songs have.
Thanks,
George Teachman ‘76
Hi George, The song is called the Blue Skirt Waltz but is referred to as the Copper Country Anthem by local folks. The band does still play it at every home game and the crowd still links arms and sways back and forth. This has been a Tech Tradition since the 50’s.
The Pep Band website has a Repertoire page that has the lyrics to many of the songs and the words for their favorite taunts and ref cheers http://dawgs.students.mtu.edu/?page_id=4 – Brenda Rudiger
Pictures of Blizzard at the Arizona tournament as well as Michigan Tech alumni hockey player John Scott, NHL All-Star, interacting with fans. John Scott is a great guy, and Blizzard was the best mascot at the tournament!
Joe Dancy ’76
I am hoping you can take a few seconds to watch this news story from WDIV Detroit and consider casting a vote in support of Wyandotte Wilson Middle School. My son (a Summer Youth program participant) is a team member and my husband (also a Tech grad) is one of the teacher mentors. I know we all here value STEM education, so I thought you might like a chance to help out and maybe help these kids win what they worked so hard to earn. Thanks!
http://www.clickondetroit.com/tech/tech-time/students-develop-app-for-michigan-parks
Kristen Brovont ‘98
- A big response this week. I really appreciate everyone who took the time to respond to our last issue. Keep those memories coming! – Scott