On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

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As a kid growing up in Somerville, I always wanted to be a famous rock star.  We all know how that turned out!

I wanted to grow up to be Paul McCartney. My friend wanted to be Paul McCartney’s wife. (I hope it was the nice one!) Back then, I didn’t think about the money, just the coolness.
A friend of mine wanted to be a fire fighter from the time he was five years old, because his father was one. He saw his dream come true.

A lot of my friends went to Somerville Trade High School (God Bless Muzzy, the former principal) and learned skills that have kept them gainfully employed for years. I got to be a substitute teacher there back in the ‘80’s.

Seeing how we spent a lot of time in front of the boob tube (hey, we didn’t have Play Station, You Tube, Facebook or texting) some of us wanted to be like the characters we saw on TV. We wanted to be Batman, Superman, and Captain Kirk. One of my buddies actually wanted to be like Baretta, who was played by the troubled actor, Robert Blake.

Remember a show called Then Came Bronson with Michael Parks. It only lasted one season from 1969 to 1970. Bronson wore a leather jacket and a wool cap and drove around from one adventure to another on a motorcycle. That seemed like a neat way to live your life.

One  friend of mine wanted to be Katherine Hepburn, while another one wanted to be a mother and a nurse. One gal idolized Davy Jones of The Monkees, and I bet she wasn’t alone.
I guess we have to mention all those teen heartthrobs that were around when we were growing up. There was Bobby Sherman, Michael Jackson, Donny Osmond, Leif Garret and of course David Cassidy. I sported the “Keith Partridge” hairdo for years. I even wore the white belt. How sad was that?

Another friend tells me that she wanted to be the Girl from U.N.C.L.E. so she could hang around with Illya Kuryakin. She notes that he still looks pretty good at age 77 playing Ducky in NCIS.

I guess while we are confessing, I have to add that, like many young boys at the time, I wished I could be Major Nelson. He was in possession of the magic bottle that contained the lovely Barbara Eden of, I dream of Jeannie! I would have changed places in a second with John Steed, whose partner in The Avengers was the lovely Miss Emma Peel.

When I was a young musician just starting out, there were guys around the city that were already making a name for themselves in local bands. I looked up to a fellow named Patrick who had a band called “The PJ 5.” They actually did real gigs while my bands were still in the garage. I used to go down St. Clements High School and listen outside in the parking lot when they were playing at a school dance. I had the pleasure of playing in a band with Pat in 1974, so I got to perform with one of my idols and influences. We are still friends today and have been in a few bands together.

In reality, we were influenced by teachers to teach, electricians to wire, mechanics to repair, chefs to cook, and fathers and mothers to be good parents. I think we all take parts of the good we see in the adults who are pivotal in our young lives, and use them to shape our own lives. It was a bit difficult to actually come to the realization that I was not going to be the next Paul McCartney, but at least I got to see him perform. I would have settled for being like Billy Joel or Elvis Costello, but I am happy for who I am. Whatever that is.

Today, I look back and realize that I would like to be more like my father. I used to want to be like him only because he could drive and had a car. I now need some of his infinite wisdom. I also wish I could remember more of those cool old “Dad” sayings he used to come out with.

I am lucky today to be involved with teaching music and theatre in Somerville. I have to thank the influences of my music and drama teachers form Somerville High School, Andy Smith and Virginia Marshall.

By the way, my friend that wanted to marry Paul McCartney married another friend of mine who is a great guitar player and a very funny guy. They have been married for over 30 years!

Don’t forget to start getting your favorite , distinctive hat ready to wear on March 3rd 2011 . 3/3/11  is un-officially “Somerville Wear a Cool Hat Day”. ( hopefully it will be official soon !) We will be in Davis Square shooting for my cable show, Seriously Somerville. More details to follow !