The two happiest years of my childhood were 5th and 6th grade. As a young adult, the two most significant years were my senior year of high school and my freshman year of college. I shall forever bear the heavy chains I forged during that time in my life.
Elton John’s ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ album appeared in the middle of first semester, freshman year. Kath’s roommate bought it right away, and I’d listen to it in their dorm room on the cheapie stereo they had. When Elton was good, he was great.
Another vivid memory was seeing a sneak preview showing of The Exorcist, before its Christmas release date. I wanted Kath to go with me, but she refused, because the movie was “of Satan.”
I also spent a lot of time in Laura and Mary’s room. That was before I started visiting with Karen and Ruth. (The ratio of girls to guys was 3:1!)
Mary wanted to see The Exorcist, and how well I remember her clinging to me during the movie. It featured Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tubular Bells’, which is also indelibly associated with freshman year.