Dino Martin Jr., Ann Moses, Billy Hinsche, Desi Arnaz Jr in Dean Martin’s backyard in Beverly Hills 1966.
I do! And they came to mind just a few months ago. I’m currently working at an Orthodontic Practice in Chandler Arizona. I love my job and the people I work with. But I only started working there in February and the doctor and the staff had all been planning a trip to Hawaii for the American Association of Orthodontists Convention in Oahu for a year.
I was the newby, so as everyone was talking constantly about the upcoming trip, mounting a group diet challenge and shopping for swimwear, I continued my usual routine and put on my calendar that I would be “holding down the fort,” covering the office for the week they were gone. About three weeks before they were scheduled to take off, one of the staff members left and they said, “If we can change the name on the plane ticket, you’re going with us.” Have you tried to change the name on a plane ticket? You almost need to be an Olympic athlete to jump through all their hoops!
Of course I was envious of the upcoming trip, but also realistic that it was a long shot. I was browsing through the department store and spotted some water shoes. They were on sale, but I told myself “no, it will jinx it.” Then I was out doing my Friday errands, I’m in the grocery store and my cell rings. I don’t recognize the number, so I say, “Hi, this is Ann,” but there’s no one on the line. Then I hear a song: Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole’s ukulele version of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and I get it, screaming quietly, (I know that’s an oxymoron, but I was in the grocery store!), I kept asking “Really? I’m going? Really?” Yes! (And here’s a sidebar, that is my favorite song from one of my favorite movies “Tempted,” where the story takes place in Hawaii.)
Ann Moses swimming with endangered sea turtles off Oahu, Hawaii, May 2012.
Photo by Alicia Franco
Suddenly I was a part of all the planning and excitement surrounding the upcoming trip. Since this was a business trip, we all had to attend the convention classes, but they ended at 2 pm each day, so there was always time to discover Hawaii, plus we had 2 “free” days after the convention just to play. We started scouring the internet for excursions like swimming with the wild dolphins and sea turtles; and I was determined to take my first surf lesson, in the top ten of my bucket list!
What does this have to do with Dino, Desi and Billy? I kept telling everyone at work that I had been to Hawaii, Oahu in fact, back in the late 60’s on tour with Paul Revere and the Raiders and Dino, Desi and Billy. It was only after I came back from this Hawaiian trip I realized I had seen a lot of the 2 groups in Hawaii, but I had seen next to nothing of the island! Next time I’ll recount those memories of the 1967 trip. And it was a “trip!”
Good times. . .Ann Moses reporting about “back in the day.”
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I got to see sea turtles on my sunset cruise and they also had a pool of them in the hotel (Kahala).. BTW..LOVE the pix of you and Michael Cole!!!!
DD&B were my first teen idol crushes! Would love to hear about your adventures in Hawaii with them!!! Love the photo!!!
Dino, Desi+Billy where groovy Ann. You’re making me feel young again!!!
Dear Ann, Still have fond memories of DD&B, wishing I was you and Deana Martin so I could just hang out with them (including Dean Martin Sr. the Hunk!), Nancy Sinatra, Beach Boys, and Davy Jones, etc.. Have their 45 rpm, on Reprise record “Two in the afternoon”/Good Luck and Best wishes to you”. Well worn out, but I often think of Dino, Desi & Billy, they were allllll so magical to a teenage girl in the ’60’s! Thanks for being there and sharing with us!!! Penny from BC
Today is March 2, 2019. This was Desi Arnaz’ birthday (Desi, Jr’s papa). His bday was the GOOGLE.com headliner today. This would have also been my late mother’s birthday, turning 82, if we hadn’t list her at the tender age of barely 65. 😢 I digress. I was born in 1958, but I certainly knew who DD&B were! I immediately had a crush on Desi, Jr. They were boss! Thanks, Ann, for your story. I tend to live vicariously through others. 😊
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