A trip to Rockaway Beach, 1986 -

Allow me to introduce a youthful photo of me near Rockaway Beach, on the Rockaway Peninsula in the New York City borough of Queens, circa 1986 – a trip taken in homage of the mighty Ramones.

It had to be said there wasn’t a lot to see at Far Rockaway, but that didn’t matter. I was treading where The Ramones had been!

Here’s the lyrics:

Chewing out a rhythm on my bubble gum
The sun is out and I want some
It’s not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride
To Rockaway Beach

Up on the roof, out on the street
Down in the playground the hot concrete
Bus ride is too slow
They blast out the disco on the radio

Rock Rock Rockaway Beach
Rock Rock Rockaway Beach
Rock Rock Rockaway Beach
We can hitch a ride
To Rockaway Beach (X2)

It’s not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride
To Rockaway Beach (x2)

Chewing out a rhythm on my bubble gum
The sun is out and I want some
It’s not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride
To Rockaway Beach

Up on the roof, out on the street
Down in the playground the hot concrete
Bus ride is too slow
They blast out the disco on the radio

Rock Rock Rockaway Beach
Rock Rock Rockaway Beach
Rock Rock Rockaway Beach
We can hitch a ride
To Rockaway Beach (X3)

Hairspray on max

It took vast amounts of Extra Super Hold AquaNet to maintain that plumage, although in the humid September heat of NY, there were several quiff-collapsing disasters, with the spiky black barnet being replaced by (oh the shame!) curls!

Have you ever gone miles to photograph yourself at a musical landmark?