WALK,

DONT
RUN
A ROCKIN AND ROLLIN MEMOIR

STEVEN
JAE
JOHNSON

332 Center Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

Walk, Dont Run: A Rockin and Rollin Memoir. Copyright 2015 by Steven Jae Johnson. All rights reserved.
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ISBN-13 978-0-9848162-6-2
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014955815

DESIGNED & PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Track List

Side I: Verse
Intro....................................................................... 1
A Summer Place ..................................................... 5
Hes a Rebel ......................................................... 21
Poor Little Fool .................................................... 40

Side II: Chorus

Town Without Pity ............................................... 65
Lonesome Town ................................................... 85
Everybodys Somebodys Fool .............................. 87
Hang on Sloopy.................................................... 95
Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear ................................ 101
Get a Job ............................................................ 104
Johnny B. Goode ................................................ 125
Hes So Fine ....................................................... 139
Get Ready, Cause Here I Come ......................... 151
The Purple People Eater ..................................... 169
Mack the Knife ................................................... 194

Side III: Bridge

Susie Cream Cheese ............................................ 201
Satisfaction ......................................................... 214

Papa Was a Rolling Stone .................................... 224

The Sound of Silence .......................................... 235
Im Comin Home.............................................. 240

Side IV: Coda

Outro ................................................................. 251
About the Author ............................................... 252
The Soundtrack .................................................. 254

Dedication
To Lana, Chad, and Joey

WALK,
DONT
RUN

Verse

Intro

Sometimes my life feels like a dream. Ive

done so much, seen so much. Did all that really happen?
I know it did, but sometimes I just want to think
back and make sense of it all.
And so I remember

A Summer Place

While the budding starlets of Montebello Senior High School strolled effortlessly in their
tight skirts and taboo-drenched fashion, I watched as
Joey Zagarino criss-crossed and darted across the front
lawn straight at me.
Everything about Joey was musical: the cadence of
his speech sounded like lyrics to a song; the way he
strutted instead of walked; the way the current top ten
hits like The Peppermint Twist erupted from him as
if they were poems. His penetrating manner made him
a magnet to anyone lucky enough to know him. He
was pure musical energy waiting for a place to explode.
At fifteen-years-old and five-foot-ten with dark hair
5

Walk, Dont Run

and a powerful build, the girls in school summed him

up perfectly when they proclaimed that he ruled.
His handsomely crafted face could not hide the fact
that he had a raging appetite for the absurd. He had
an overwhelming desire to dive into humor. He didnt
laughhe ROARED. With that simple difference, it
was clear that he devoured life, sinking his teeth deeply
into everything.
He was Italian by heritage and melodic by nature.
Joey had started his first band a year and a half ago
The Upsetsand I had been polishing my chops on
the drums in the school orchestra so that I could get
good enough to play with them. Joeys current drummer was leaving for new territoryand I was ready to
take his place.
Music was everything to me, and I had been at it
since age nine, when I first saw Elvis Presley on the
Ed Sullivan show. I always thought that Joey and I
would be cool as buddies on stage because we were
physical opposites. Joey had Italian olive skin and dark
hair that countered my Scandinavian pale-green eyes
and light-brown hair. One set of my grandparents migrated from Sweden, while the other set were a mix of
German and Cherokee Indian. Around school, several
kids had started calling me Fabe because of a slight
resemblance to a rock singer named Fabian; it was the
name Rusty that stuck, though, because of my hair.
Rusty! Hey Johnson-man! Hey! Joey yelled. He
held a Pee Chee folder under his arm, with the words
6

A Summer Place

Joey and the Upsets stenciled on the front. On the back

was a list of the bands he admired: the Ventures, the
Standells, Joey Dee and the Starliters, Booker T. and
the MGs, the Champs, Dick Dale and the Deltones,
and the Beach Boys.
Yo, Joey, I yelled back, still staring at Virgie Rodriquezs sultry, vamp-like strut.
Bobby officially left the band last night, Joey
blurted out. He then pointed at me as if he were Uncle
Sam on the famous poster demanding military service.
You, Rusty-boy, are the new drummer for Joey and
the Upsets.
All right! I shouted. Whats Bobby going to
do now? I asked, trying to show some concern for
the person I was replacing while still relishing my own
great luck.
Hes cool, Joey said as he sneaked a peek at a
skirt that sauntered by. Said hes on to bigger things.
Some Latin horn band in East L.A.
A body stepped from the moving crowd comprised
mostly of surfers, Latinos, socialites, and jocks. It was
the leader of a rival band, Eddie Olmos. His smile
could engage anyone around him in an instant. He
laughed constantly and was the type of compassionate
person that would give of himself if anyone around
him needed help. From knowing Eddie over the years
in school, I had always secretly thought that he had a
gift for sensing things, like he was some kind of a wise
soul in a young body. He was a born leader, abound7

Walk, Dont Run

ing with charisma and respected widely among the

student body and the faculty for his academic chops
and athletic ability. Eddie was a walking powerhouse
of inspiration and humor looking for a place to performexactly like Joey and me.
Johnson! Eddie yelled and immediately tucked
his books tightly to his side and did his famous James
Brown impersonation, yelling Ouch! while spinning
around in a complete circle causing everyone in the
area to scream, Go, James! As Eddie shot up out
of his performance, he slapped me and Joey on our
shoulders. You made it into the Upsets, Rusty. Joey
told me the good news at nutrition class. Totally, totally bitchin, man. Congratulations.
Laughing out loud, I said, I cant think of any other way to be welcomed than by Eddie James Brown
Olmos himself.
We ought to jam sometime, Eddie, Joey said.
Putting your James Brown style with surf music
would be a first.
Eddie held his hands up smiling. Anytime, you
two. Name the place and Ill be there.
Is your band gigging this weekend? I asked.
Yeah. Were at the Plush Bunny on Friday and Saturday. Come and sit in, dudes.
Were there, Joey said. Well do Walk, Dont
Run and Wipe Out.
My stage is your stage. See ya there.

A Summer Place

Eddie beamed his thousand-watt smile at his two

musician friends and gave a slight bow as he left.
Joey turned back to me, smiling like hed played
Mr. Peppermint Man with Dick Dale.
When do we rehearse? I asked.
After school today. Is that cool for you?
Cool.
Boss. Four oclock. Catch you there.
I watched as Joey disappeared into the crowd of
seemingly well-adjusted kids. As he jumped a threefoot wall to get to his next class, I thought about
how much music meant to me. Music always seemed
to make my world workgave it clarity, passion, and
drive. By joining Joeys band today, Id finally become
a paid professional. I now belonged to an elite group
of guys who could stand on a stage and belt out music
and make everyone feel better.
As I strutted to my next class, I saw my ex-girlfriend
Eileen Draus cutting between people in the hallway.
Eileens beautiful, long, red hair was the crowning
glory of a stunning seventeen year old. We had gone
steady for two years and, to everyones surprise around
school, had remained very close friends after we broke
up.
Its the Princess of the Nile of Montebello-Land,
Miss Pinky Draus! I said loudly as I opened my
arms to the sky and whirled around in a circle. Eileen
laughed. She loved my humorous view of life.

Walk, Dont Run

So I understand that Miss Pinky and Mr. Tony

Sarabia are an item these days. The two of you have
been seen cruising the Montebello Mart in his hot
rod.
Listen, wise guy, Eileen said, could you ask Bette to ask her friend, Shirley or Cheryl or whatever her
name is, to stop giving me such angry looks because
you and I used to go steady? Im a little tired of it.
I straightened my Sir Guy shirt. Sure, no problem,
pink one. I suddenly remembered. Hey, best galpal! Wasnt Shirley or Cheryl at the Bowling Alley last
Saturday night when I ran into you?
Eileen thought for a moment. Yeah, thats right.
She was there.
Ill take care of it, I said. Bette understands
were friends. Shes extremely cool with it.
Kay, Eileen said, turning to leave.
See ya, Pinky, I said. Not able to resist the thrill
of teasing, I yelled after her, Hey, Pinky! Does Tony
have to send his sister to pick you up for dates because
your mom doesnt want you to see one guy all the
time like I had to?
She laughed. No.
Oh, I get it. Your mom didnt want you hanging
out with musicians after all!

After school, I arrived at Joeys house on Taylor Avenue. Set up in the living room, Joey said.

10

A Summer Place

Ive got to go out back and get some things. Mike

Hoops is here.
Ladies and germs, the latest Upset! Mike said
from behind the front door as he tuned his bass guitar.
Ed Winn, tall, athletic, and blond, strolled in from
football practice carrying his saxophone case. His dark
blue letterman sweater was slung over his arm.
Hey, Rusty! Way to go, man. From what Joey tells
us, youre going be singing up a storm.
Hope I can help out, I said proudly.
Joey walked back in through the long hall and held
some records. He opened the lid of the family hi-fi and
hit the on button. All right, men, he jokingly barked
like a military drill sergeant, heres your assignment.
Rusty, this is really for yousome of the Ventures stuff
were playing. Thing is, weve got to break you in on
our stuff, then learn all the songs you sing, because we
cant keep playing just those instrumentals. Theyre
bound to drive everyone fuckin crazy, if you can dig
me, Fabe.
Joeys mother appeared at the door wearing a white
bath towel around her head, her treatment for her
constant headaches.
Joseph Zagarino!
He jumped straight up at the sound of her voice.
If you dont watch that filthy mouth of yours,
youre not going to have any place to rehearse, young
man.

11

Walk, Dont Run

Joey, who had gone white, turned to her. Ah

Mom! Sorry. Thought you were in the garden. Just a
little talk between the guys.
She shifted her look now to the others. I hope you
boys dont have a garbage mouth like my son.
And like that, she was gone.
Sorry, mom. It wont happen again! Joey yelled
to the empty door while rolling his eyes. Okay, Rusty,
the first song is Walk, Dont Run. Its our theme
song.
I smiled broadly. Oh, yeah. Im hip to the tune.
Joey strapped on his guitar and counted it off. In a
moment, he, Winn, Mike, and I were inside the song.
It sounded good and we knew it.

Evening fell as the

rehearsal wound down. I

watched as Mike Hoops and Ed Winn drove off. I was
filled with dreams of the future. Joey came out of the
house to join me and we discussed music and how to
take our new venture from gigs to recording stardom.
We were going to be big, baby! I just knew it.
Our sound with you is bitchin, Joey said.
Im hip, Joey. I feel incredible, I agreed.
Joey glanced at his watch. I gotta go in now, man.
Ill see you tomorrow. Joey looked back over his
shoulder while walking. Its great to have someone
who can sing in the band. Well for sure get a record
deal now.
Hey, you guys.
12

A Summer Place

Joey and I looked across the driveway toward the

house next door. Adele was at her bedroom window
with her arms folded on the sill.
Hi, Adele, Joey said happily.
Hi, Del, I beamed.
Did you hear the new sound with Rusty? Joey
asked his next door neighbor excitedly.
I sure did. You guys sound like the Ventures with a
lead singer. Thats a real first for the Upsets.
Thanks, Adele. Joey grinned proudly.
Rusty, Adele cut in, come over here and sing me
something.
Joey rolled his eyes. I better go inside now so you
two can have a moment by yourself.
Joey! Adele protested. I see you everyday, but
Rusty only sometimes at school.
Youre going to be seeing him a lot more now,
honey.
He shook his head at me, playing the rejected fool.
I let the guy into my band and on the first rehearsal
he steals my best girl.
We understood our unpredictable friends need for
attention. Dont encourage him, I said for Adeles
benefit as she waved Joey off.
Thanks, Joey. Ill call you later, Adele said.
I arrived at Adeles window sill, looking through
the thin screen that separated us. I glanced around
her room and saw girl things: stuffed animals, a white
ruffled canopy bed, a white desk with schoolbooks
13

Walk, Dont Run

opened as if she had been doing homework. A picture

of James Darren hung over her desk.
Guy, Rusty! The band sounds better with you in
it. She glowed when she spoke. Her ivory teeth were
shiny against her tanned skin. The theme song for
Peyton Place echoed down the hall from her parents
living room. How do you guys do it? Its amazing.
Tis a gift, mlady. Methinks it comes from the
music, I stretched out my arms, for the music is the
nectar of the gods and it makes us wild and happy.
My zeal from the excitement of my first rehearsal with
the band had propelled me into a kind of fearless elation.
And just like that, I stopped emoting. A moment
of tranquility fell over each of us and we simply stared
at one another. Smiles rose on our lips. The spell was
shattered when, from beyond her door, I heard her
name called.
She turned and said loudly, Be right there, mom!
She turned back, as if informing me of a secret code.
Okay, Rusty, every rehearsal you have to come to my
window and sing me a song, okay?
Its a deal. See ya.
Bye, Rusty.
I walked across the street and turned to gaze back
at the homes, their inside lights now gently glowing
out into the evening.
As I got into bed that night, I knew instinctively
Id experienced something profound that was about
14

A Summer Place

to change my life. Joey possessed all the qualities of

the brother Id never had. I fell into sleep humming
the song Walk, Dont Run.

My mind swirled as

I listened to Joeys excitement over the phone. Cryin in the Rain by the
Everly Brothers played softly in my room from radio
station KRLA.
We got the gig for the Car Club Association this
weekend, daddy-o! Joey was yelling over the phone.
Its at the Taylor Ranch House this Saturday night,
and Eddie Olmos can sing a few songs with us after
he gets off work later. Were going to kill em. Twenty-five bucks apiece.
Boss!
And youre goin to sing your balls off, Johnson.
Ahooooo! Joey wailed over the line. I cracked up, listening to Joeys mother in the background objecting
to her sons language once again.
Sorry, Ma. Gotta go, daddy-o. Later. Joey hung
up.

When I arrived at The Taylor Ranch House that

Saturday night, we immediately got busy dragging in
a small truckload of amplifiers, guitars, drums, and a
Standell P.A. system. The Upsets energy seemed to
palpitate from each musician as if we were exploding
prisms of light bouncing from wall to floor and back
again. We began arranging the mountain of equipment
15

Walk, Dont Run

with the same care and professionalism as an interior

decorator might give a wealthy client. This domain for
the next six hours would be our proving ground.
Joey hit a series of chords on his guitar, testing the
reverb system. Hows that sound, Winn?
Winn was blowing the solo from the song Night
Train, warming up the sound of his sax. The loud
sound echoed and bounced through the room like ricocheting bullets.
Cool. I dig it, he yelled.
The hall began to fill up slowly. The energy buzzed
on stage with wise-cracking one-liners and the calling
out of songs to put on the first set song list.
Whaddayathink, eight songs or nine for the first
set? Joey asked the group.
Nine, Hoops said.
Cool. Yeah, youre right. Nine, maybe even ten.
As the leader of the band, Joey put his white jacket
on. He buttoned it while making several corrections
on the song list. Then he laid the list on the floor in
front of him so he could see what song was next.
Some two hundred members of the Car Club Association of Montebello, Monterey Park, and Whittier
with their dates had filed into the hall.
Five minutes, girls, Joey said. He strapped on his
guitar as he repeatedly revised the song list. Lets start
with Walk, Dont Run then do Green Onions.

16

A Summer Place

Each of us settled at our instruments, catching

looks, nods, and waves from people we knew from
school and around the city.
Here we go! Joey said. He turned back to me.
You wanna welcome everyone and introduce us?
This last minute idea set wonderfully in my mind. I
leaned into the microphone.
Good evening, Car Club Association cats and
chicks, and welcome!
Several whistles and hollers erupted from the crowd.
Were Joey and the Upsets and were gonna start
with a little ditty by The Ventures called Walk, Dont
Run!
Joey counted out loud 1, 2, 3, 4 and the band
exploded.
The audience quickly jumped to their feet and the
hall was alive with the energy of its young.
My hands drummed with a rhythmic force I realized was driving the entire hall.
Joeys biting guitar solo brought clapping from
the crowd as he hot-dogged it with great zeal. Mike
Hoops bent backwards while moving to the song and
screamed. Ed Winns saxophone completed the bands
sound and helped to drive the crowd further into a
musical frenzy. This outrageous display caused the
band to laugh along with some of the surfers at the
front of the crowd.
Wipe Out! Joey shouted and the band blasted
into the popular drummers song. The song built to a
17

Walk, Dont Run

huge finish and the audience cheered. From the front

of the crowd, Eddie Olmos suddenly leaped onto the
stage.
Walking the Dog in C! he shouted.
Joey roared with laughter, Bout time you got
here! as the other members of the band screamed
Go, Eddie!
Joey counted the song off as human electricity shot
through the room. Eddie howled the beginning of the
first verseBABY, BABY!as his body shook and
he danced across the stage like a tiger in heat. Just
before the first chorus kicked in and the tension built,
Eddie flung himself into a twirling three hundred and
sixty degree turn and shot down into a full set of splits,
instantly causing the turned on audience to scream in
excitement. He propelled himself up in perfect timing
to land in front of the microphone and sing, JUST A
WALKIN THE DOG as the Upsets all sang in harmony behind him. As Joey blasted his lead guitar solo
in the song, Eddie danced over to me and we both
bobbed and weaved with our heads together deliriously singing as we performed. Eddie ran to the front
of the stage for the closing of the song, microphone
in hand, and shouted, Everyone sing with us! The
echo of four hundred young people singing shook the
walls of the Taylor Ranch House and could be heard
all the way down to the shopping mall halls of the
Montebello Mart.

18

A Summer Place

When the song ended, the audience exploded into

wild hysteria.
I jumped from the drums and did a small drum solo
on Eddies sweaty back. Bitchin, Olmos. You slayed
em, cat!
Joey said over the microphone, Mr. Eddie James
Brown Olmos! Were gonna take a break.
We all walked down the stage steps. Joey and I beelined for the stage door so that we could catch a breath
of fresh air and hopefully cool off after being on stage
for over an hour. We relished the night air and the few
moments we had together before we performed our
next set. We were silent, but the silence was a self-congratulatory one. We both knew we had something so
we didnt even have to form the words to say it.
The stage door opened and Eddie Olmos walked
over to us. We caught our breath looking at the full
moon and the assortment of stars laid out for our
enjoyment. Joey smiled while he stared into space
thoughtfully. He broke the comfortable silence.
The feeling up there on that stage is untouchable,
you guys.
Trying to put a name on that feeling, Joey, would
be impossible, Eddie said. When were inside the
musicall together, all pumpingits like some kind
of spiritual something. Its other world stuff.
Im hip, Joey said. He lit a smoke and watched
the rings float into the air while thinking this over.
Yeah, he went on. Theres an amazing moment
19

Walk, Dont Run

when your eyes lock on someone staring at you from

the audience. Its like youre breathing in this moment
of connection, soul to soul.
The dirt and stones of the parking lot crunched
under our boots while we made our way back to the
stage. An outside light for the parking lot cast a yellowish glow that gave us each a spiritual look. The Car
Club Association danced to Joey and the Upsets while
the local sheriff drove by every half hour just to check
on things and remind the band that they had to stop
at 1:00 a.m.
Would this road lead us to stardom? I hoped so.
But no matter where this led, I was definitely along
for the ride.

20

Hes a Rebel

During the next three months, Joey and

I wrote and recorded six songs. Four were in the tradition of the surf groups like the Beach Boys, the Pyramids, andJoeys personal favoritethe Ventures.
We also whipped up two rhythm and blues semi-masterpieces in the Green Onions style. One thing that
Joey wanted to do differently was to establish a link between the instrumentals that were so prevalent in surf
music and vocals. Obviously, the Beach Boys were the
kings in this area. The Upsets had this all-instrumental
sound that Joey loved, but hiring me was a business
move, for he really saw the need to add a singers voice
to his original songs. Since Joey was not a lead singer
21

Walk, Dont Run

and I was, our relationship would now flourish as best

friends and musicians.
Two more original songs we had written were filled
with vocals that I belted out passionately. The new lyrics were filled with the topics of the daycars, chicks,
and surf along with broken-hearted love affairs. As we
dropped our demo packages in the mail each day praying for a record deal, I kept mentioning to Joey that
we should have Eddie James Olmos in the band full
time.
A lead singer would be a good addition because I
have to play drums full-time, Joey.
I know, Joey would say, but the reality is that
his band is working more than ours. We should have
more to offer him than just a once in a while gig. Hes
Mr. Showbiz! I know were going to land a record deal
with these songs. That would be the time to offer him
the spot. Then, you cats could sing together.
Spread out on the living room of Joeys home were
sixteen labeled boxes of two track mix downs on small
five-inch reels. Each held all six songs. To the right
of the boxes were eight-by-ten pictures, a pile of resums, and a three-page summary of newspaper clippings and reviews.
Man, Im glad we saved these clippings from the
different papers. It gives the band an air of professionalism. I just hope they dont check too closely on these
resums.

22

Hes a Rebel

I was busy stuffing envelopes and was only half

listening to Joey. After a long moment, he mocked,
You mean except for the gigs, were lying through
our teeth.
That afternoon we walked to the mailbox on the
corner. Lets bless each one as we mail it, I suggested.
Cool. What could it hurt?
Joey went first. Please, God. Please, Big Fella.
Look down on your poor deprived children and bless
us with Beach Boy and Ventures success. You wouldnt
have us doing weddings and Bar Mitzvahs forever,
would ya?
Joey deposited half of the envelopes. I dropped
my load of packages into the mailbox and sang a line.
Just like the King in Jailhouse Rock, Ziggie and I
were born to shake our butts, so lets have some pull
from heaven, God. Please!
We ate dinner at the Bowling Alley coffee shop that
night, flirting with the waitress and enjoying our reputation as musicians.
Later that night, I found myself standing at Adeles
window. For the past three months, I had been dutifully visiting Adele after the bands rehearsal. Sometimes
Id sing as promised; other times we would chat
about life, school, the band. I could sense that we were
developing crushes on one another. The crush from
my point of view was a little hard to admit because she
was a couple of years younger, making her thirteen or
23

Walk, Dont Run

fourteen. I wanted to date her, but knew it was impossible. She knew it, too.
Hi, honey, she mused excitedly.
Hi, Gidget, I smiled. I curled my lip in an Elvis impersonation and lowered my voice. Got a little
song for you here tonight.
No, she said holding up her hand. I have one
for you.
Her excitement made her cheeks red and her breath
short. She brought out a piece of paper from her purse
and unfolded it intensely, looking over her shoulder.
I know, she said turning back to me. Go around
the house to the driveway gate. I dont want anyone to
hear this except us.
Sure, I said, excited. I almost flew from the
ground to the driveway, noticing a tingling in my
stomach.
She carefully came out the kitchen door like a cat
burglar. A waist-high gate separated us. The moonlight shimmered softly on her blonde hair, making her
appear even more angelicalmost surreal.
Here it goes, she said. This song was written for
you and me.
She began softly:
Born too late for you to notice me.
Im just a kid, that you wont date.
Why was I born too late?
I see you walk with another.
I wish it could be me.
24

Hes a Rebel

I long to hold you and kiss you,

But I know it never can be.
Why was I born too late?
I reached across the fence and touched her cheek.
Her lips parted as she gazed back up at me, the stars
acting as our backdrop. A tear ran down her cheek. I
wondered if she could see my eyes had moistened.
I meanyoure seeing someonein your class
andI should go.
Adele, I said anxiously. Wait.
She stopped with the screen door half open, looking down on me from the steps. After a moment, she
tentatively walked back to me. I slowly reached up to
touch her hair. It fell between my fingers like lavish
silk. She closed her eyes. The intimacy of this momenteyes closed, head bowedwas a confession of
emotion wed been hiding.
The wind moved easily between Joeys home and
Adeles home, caressing effortlessly our two young
hearts as we embraced.
That breeze touched Adeles cheek.
And then it touched mine.
As we slowly parted, we continued holding hands
until only our fingertips were touching. I smiled at her
and she cast her gaze downward. Without a word, she
turned and went into her house.

25

Walk, Dont Run

Wanna drive? I yelled

at Joey as we walked

out of the music store.

Boss! Joey exclaimed.
Joey and I had hit our sixteenth birthdays in May,
1963. I had a car; Joey didnt. The car meant freedom.
Joeys elation heightened tremendously as he moved
through the traffic. The white and red 54 Chevy with
the bare painted black rims ranked as a hot rod, with
its cut springs that lowered the front end dramatically. It represented a major step in becoming a man to
both of us. Experiencing this emancipation together
was exhilarating. It was a symbol more than anything.
Wheels. A function machine. Something indefinable,
but tirelessly referred to as cool.
After rehearsal, while we wrote more material for
The Upsets intended album, Joey walked with me to
my car.
Theres a party in Monterey Park this weekend,
he said. Its being thrown by some chicks we met at
that wedding gig in Whittier last month. They want all
four of us to come. Can we take the car? Its Saturday
night. Apparently, the babe thats throwing it is twenty-one and owns her own house.
We both knew what that meant. Slow, devilish
smiles began to form on both of our faces.

Turn that up, I ordered Joey as we drove to the

party the following Saturday night, masterfully dressed
in leather jackets and jeans.
26

Hes a Rebel

Thats Link Rays Rumble. Outta sight, Mike

Hoops said from the back seat.
We rode low in their seats. Silently, we absorbed the
deep smoldering cool of the song. It hypnotized us.
We became its rhythmic pulse. The bass with its deep
sound could pull us into the heart of the song as the
drums kept a driving forward beat. The guitars swirled
it all together as an anthem for the youth of the day.
It seemed bigger than us, as if we would have to run
after it and try aimlessly to control its thrusting time
and mood arrangements. I absolutely loved the songs
power to transcend us all to another dimension as if
my mind had a tiny place where music had been stored
from another life. Another dimension. Another time.
Music did that to me. It opened my mind beyond
the normal situations of everyday life. I always thirsted for that indescribable freedom musicians had on
stage. I had always felt that musicians had a handle on
the coolness of their individual time period on earth.
Their hip-ness had always appealed to me. Fortunately, my father, an aspiring singer himself, continued
to encourage me on the musical path.

Once we arrived at

the party, we strutted as if

we were long, cool warriors of the night. I combed
my pompadour. I put my comb between my teeth and
gave the front a twirling twist. Hair, like music, was
serious business.

27

Walk, Dont Run

Three hours later we stumbled to my cardrunk.

Misirlou by Dick Dale and the Del-Tones pounded
in our heads, still ringing down the streets from the
party house. We did slurred imitations of Dicks classic
guitar solo, falling over one another.
You guys really bite the big one as guitar players.
Joey howled at the moon. He fell in the shotgun seat
next to me while Hoops and Winn got in the back.
We ate sandwiches stolen from the party, hoping they
would absorb the booze wed consumed.
Rusty, take the side streets back to the Bowling
Alley,
Joey suggested after we ate. You okay to drive
now?
Yeah, Im all rightI think.
Hoops and Winn, watch for cops. We get pulled
over, were dog shit, Joey barked.
Listen, if we see any cops in the residential neighborhood, I added, Ill pull in front of any house and
well get out and start walking towards it like its one
of ours.
Zagarino looked at me, surprised. Whered you
learn that?
Saw it in some movie.
We slithered slowly down the residential streets and
over the hill on Wilcox Boulevard towards Montebello. We talked about music to add to our set list.
Theres the Bowling Alley, Joey suddenly said,
easing all of our pent up tension. We made it. No
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Hes a Rebel

trouble. Rusty, just pull into the parking lot and well
go in and hang out for a few hours. Its only eleven
thirty.
No problem, I said, relieved.
As I signaled to turn left into the Bowls parking
lot, a siren blared and swirling red and blue lights filled
the car.
Where in the hell did they come from?!?! I yelled.
I flashed a distressed look of panic into the rear view
mirror, straightening up rigidly.
Shit! Ed Winn screamed from the back seat.
Shit, Johnson. Run! Hoops shouted.
Where? I screamed. Were turning into the
Bowling Alley!
My house! Your house! Anywhere! yelled Joey.
Knowing that the safety of Joeys house was literally
one hundred yards from us and hidden behind a sixfoot block wall, I gunned the car and headed for the
alley behind Joeys house.
We were now running from the cops. Sweat formed
on my hands beneath the steering wheel. Since I was
at the wheel and it was my car, the ultimate decision
was mine. If we got caught, which looked like a sure
bet, it would be my ass. Joey, Mike, and Winn would
be let off with a slap on the weenie, but I would get
the book thrown at me.
Fear had a smell, and The Upsets stank of it. Suddenly, I yelled like some cheesy actor in a B movie.
Im skidding to the back of the Bowling Alley by the
29

Walk, Dont Run

wall. Well all go over it! Theyll never find us. Well go
over the fence and into Joeys house. Got it?
Yeah, Joey answered.
Mike and Winn were too busy losing their bladders
in the back seat. Their faces looked like crazy clowns
in some freak show, bobbing around to the insanely
colored lights caused by the police car.
My eyes were spinning as the negative excitement
built inside the car. I put the pedal to the metal for
the last one hundred yards. I raced to the back part of
the parking lot and skidded around to a stop, raising
a cloud of brown dust. The old Bel-Air squeaked and
moaned in a metallic protest.
Frantically glancing up again and looking into the
rearview mirror, I could see the end of my life as I
knew it. The Bobby Fuller Fours I Fought the Law
and the Law Won flickered momentarily in the back
of my mind.
Okay, Mouseketeers! Annette says lets get the
hell outta here! Spin and Marty coming up after the
commercial.
The two doors flew open and Joey and I spilled
out onto the dirt and gravel. The old squeaky seats
resounded with pain as Hoops and Winn propelled
themselves into the night air.
The chase was on!
Everyone broke for the wall like it was a rest stop
bathroom. The wall represented our record deal, freedom, and safety.
30

Hes a Rebel

The police car skidded in behind us and the driver

screamed through his open window, Police! Freeze!
The Upsets climbed over the wall, mixing fear with
hilarious laughter as we snorted and pulled our skinny
butts over the cement barrier.
Joey and I leaped from the top of the wall in one
monumental aerial dive. We hit the ground on the
other side as the cops were just getting out of their
car. It was only as I looked back before descending
into darkness that I remembered one tiny little bit of
incriminating evidence.
My car was running, blocked by the police car, with
the keys in it and the radio blasting.
Im a 58 Ford Edsel. Doomed and ugly! I muttered.
Come on, you guys! Joey screamed. Thinking
alike, Joey and I raced to the Zagarino driveway and
sprinted down it, knowing wed be out of sight before
the cops had time to get up on the wall.
Thank God my parents arent home, Joey said
softly.
We scampered down the driveway and jumped on
the back steps of his house. Joey jammed his key into
the lock and we leaped in. I glanced behind to see if
Hoops and Winn were tailing us, but theyd vanished.
Where are those idiots? Joey ranted. He looked
over the washer and dryer and out the window in the
utility room.

31

Walk, Dont Run

Damn, I muttered under my breath. They must

have run straight down the street. Theyre screwed.
We ran to the front of the dark house. A perfect
escape route and those spazzes run wild in the streets,
Joey spat in a thick, low whisper.
We found positions at the front window and peeked
out the shades.
Theres Hoops, I said softly, thinking the police
directly in front of the house could hear us. Hes
across the street under that hedge. Shit! The cops
flashlight just hit him.
Where in the hell did Winn go? Joey asked,
searching the darkness.
He must have run down the street, I said, stretching my neck, studying the scene.
Look, Joey said, that cop is going for Winn.
Yeah, and the other cops walking over there.
The big cop brought Hoops back in front of Joeys
house.
We could almost hear what was happening. I saw
the air conditioner in the wall and went over and put
my ear to it. Unbelievably, I could hear what was going on outside.
Okay, son, which way did your two friends go?
I dont know, Hoops answered, wide-eyed.
Inside the house, Joey gasped, Hes questioning
Hoops!
Hoops was pleading now with the cop not to arrest
him.
32

Hes a Rebel

Quiet, here comes the other cop with Winn.

Damn!
Perfect. Well be playing Walk, Dont Run at
Sing-Sing Prison, I said.
We could hear Mike pleading now with the cop.
After about a minute, we watched as Hoops and Winn
walked away and down the street. The first cop stayed
in front while the second cop went back over the fence
to retrieve their squad car.
I sat on the floor holding my head in my hands. All
at once it hit me, like that moment when you realize
you left the iron flat down on your coolest shirt when
you went to answer the phone.
My car! What the hell are we gonna do about
my car? That other cops probably writing the license
number down now. Slamming my fist down on the
floor, I moaned desperately.
All right, all right, dont panic, Joey said. Maybe they forgot about it in all the commotion. Better
still, theyve only been gone twenty secondsand
they have to go all the way around. Thats five or six
blocks. Maybe we have time to beat em. Lets go.
Are you nuts? Theyre all still out there.
Lets go check.
We ran back to the window and saw Mike and Winn
in the back seat as the cop car drove off.
Kay, lets go.
We shot out the back door to the wall. As we
jumped it and to our utter surprise the car was still
33

Walk, Dont Run

there running with the Kingston Trio singing The

Tijuana Jail over the radio.
I dont believe our luck, I said.
Either theyre coming down Beverly Boulevard
right now, Joey said, or were the luckiest ho-dads
on earth.
Jump in, ass-bite! I ordered as he hit the ground
close to the car and jumped in.
I jammed the automatic transmission into reverse
and backed it up for the get-away.
Joey said, Lets park it on the other side of the
Bowling Alley. Its an ocean of metal over there.
Wait a minute! I yelled. Sure! Its perfect. The
Ogner Ford Dealership right across the street.
Crank it across the street, Big Bopper! Joey
roared.
With as much power as I could get out of the old
Chevy, it revved, clanked, and clattered across four
lanes of the Boulevard towards what we thoughtand
hopedwould be safe ground.
Pulling into the main part of the dealership, I hung
a right turn to park behind the newer cars that faced
the street.
I quickly jammed it in between a used 57 white
Ford Fairlaine and a wasted VW Bug.
Perfect. Theyll never find it, Joey said.
Unless they check, I countered.
That dont mean diddly-squat. Youre jerking off.
Now lets get back to my house and cover our tracks.
34

Hes a Rebel

I think we just did that, I said.

It aint over til the fat lady sings, Joey shot back.
Were not out of the woods yet. They could have
written your license number down.
We ran like gazelles across the street and doubled
back towards the Bowling Alley. We hoisted ourselves
up on top of the wall one more time.
Oh, shit! Joey said.
My eyes darted to the house. We stopped dead in
our tracks knowing it was either the cops or Joeys
mom inside the house.
Trying to calm our racing inner motors, we put on
casual faces as if just returning from a game of pool
next door.
We could hear Jennys voice in the kitchen as she
rounded the corner into the dining room. Joeys face
tightened and I became a church mouse. Our cover
was blown.
What the hell have you two been up to tonight?
she demanded. The back doors wide open, the curtains are messed up, my neighbor just called saying the
police were out in front
Joey cowered as I took backwards steps.
Nothing, mom. It was just some jerks from the
Bowling Alley, he lied.
Then why are there dirt and scuffmarks all over
the kitchen floor, and why do I smell liquor on your
breath? You stink like gin pots, she growled.

35

Walk, Dont Run

We just snuck some beers at the Bowling Alley,

mom. Honest.
She shot a wild look at me. Rusty, are you going to
stand there and lie to me. What happened here? The
veins in her neck reminded me of a Mighty Joe Young
flick I saw on Channel Five.
A couple of guys got in a fight in the alley parking lot and when they knew the cops were called,
they jumped your wall outside and got nailed. I was
amazed at how easily I lied.
Jenny raged, How did you buy liquor at the
Bowl?
I kept it up, A drunk guy who we gave money to
did it.
She took a breath. Her eyes penetrated deep into
my young soul. Youre a bad lair, Rusty Johnson.
Your eyes give you away.
She directed her icy fury back at her son. Youre
going to catch hell for this, Joey, when I tell your father. Rusty, you better leave. Theres going to be some
changes around this house. She stormed off into her
bedroom.
What a wonderful soiree, Joey spewed sarcastically. God! I hate living at home. Theyll probably assassinate me at dawn. When Im dead, just tell them to
cremate me and scatter my ashes over the musicians
union. Dig?
Dug, I said.

36

Hes a Rebel

As I left the house, I glanced down at the piano. I

felt sick to my stomach. Feeling confused and misunderstood, another feeling surfaced: Guilt. The thought
crossed my mind about how unhappy the adults were
around me who used alcohol on a regular basis. My
father was at the top of the list.

Shoes clicked, echoing in

the hallway, as I
hung out before class on Monday. I could spot dark
circles under Joeys eyes as he approached me. The
sound of students laughing seemed to fall into a vacuum. Joey pulled books from his locker like a prisoner
loading up trays of food for other inmates in a penitentiary.
I hate people that open with lines like this, but you
look like doggie droppings, I said.
Joey cracked a tired smile.
I feel like doggie droppings, he admitted.
My eyes rose to a cheesecake picture of Tuesday
Weld in a tight sweater.
Joey noticed the look. He laughed. Just like Dobie will never score with Tuesday, I guess Ill never
He stopped short. Never mind. Meet me at your car
for lunch.
He walked away like a bloodless mummy.

At twelve thirty, we

met and drove into Jensens Drive-in for lunch. We decided to eat in the car
because we didnt want to be around any of our fellow
37

Walk, Dont Run

students. The car hop came over, took our order, and
returned in a few minutes, attaching trays to each of
the windows.
Joey stared out the windowdespondent, detached, simmering with rage. He finally drew a long
breath and exhaled. My parents have decided to
move the whole family back to New Jersey.
My eyes shot wide. I turned my head as if I was just
slapped. EX-FRICKIN-CUSE ME? I choked on
my cherry Coke, spilling it across my unzipped Tanker
jacket.
Joey took the paper covering off his straw and
sailed it out the window with one quick thrush of air.
He watched it as it sailed high and then coasted back
and forth in a see-sawing motion to the ground, hitting bottom and exemplifying his feelings exactly. He
jammed the straw into the plastic lid with a squeak.
Theyve been talking about it for a year. Weve
been here for twelve years and my mother misses all of
her relatives back there. Now that Ive screwed up, its
their excuse to ruin my life.
Theyre serious? I questioned. Theyre just trying to scare us. My dad says kids are libel to do anything at our age. Were mostly nuts, he says.
After what we pulled this weekend, Id say your
dad was right, Joey moaned while unwrapping his
double cheeseburger. Oh, and by the way, my folks
found out we were lying. Winns parents got a hold
of my parents and told them the whole scene. Were
38

Hes a Rebel

dead. Doggie droppings. I had to take the blame for

you to try and keep your ass out of it.
Me? Whatd you do that for? It was my car!
Exactly! Joey thundered. I got you into that
mess, so the least I could do was get you out of it.
But none of that mattered now. Joey might be
moving away. So, Zag, what are we going to do if
your family splits? You going to run away to my house?
Sure is poor timing.
Right. Joeys tone was laced with sarcasm. He
scratched his scalp angrily.
Were so close to a record deal, I know we are
and now this shit comes down.
I took a deep breath. I thought our lives were supposed to be like Father Knows Bestnot The Naked
City.
I started the old Bel-Air. As I backed the car up,
the radio came on and Bob Eubanks on KRLA played
Im Busted by Ray Charles. Ray sang about poverty and having no one to turn to. His bills were all
due and his brother was broker than he was when Ray
asked him for a loan. I turned, straightened the car
out, and pointed it towards Whittier Boulevard.
I hear ya, brother Ray, I said, downcast.
No jive, Joey echoed in a hopeless funk.

39