[ as told by Ed Cantwell, CCS 1958 ]
Back around my Junior Year (1956-57) we formed a small combo called The Cats. The group included Neal Laverty, drums; Kerry McKernon, piano; Dick Evans, tenor sax and I played trumpet.
We played some of the old Classics but were known for Dixieland jazz and Rock & Roll. Our signature tune was “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In”. We wore neat brown plaid berets which were supposed to make us the “COOL CATS”
We used to play at the postgame Canteens held upstairs in the old Grange Hall at the Red Light where the Rite Aid (now Walgreens) store is located. We also played some other venues in the local area.
We received a request to perform at the Salem Talent Show. In those days, Cambridge and Salem were archrivals in sports with the Indians winning out in football and the Generals getting the better of us in basketball. We accepted the invitation to perform at the Talent Show on the condition we were the final act to appear before the judging took place.
Well, to put it mildly, we tore down the house!!! We played two rock & roll songs and the audience was screaming for more, so while the judges were tabulating the results we played an encore — “When the Saints Go Marchin In”!!
Now, at this point I should mention the Music Director at Salem HATED Rock and Roll and he was a major judge for the event. When the awards were announced, two Salem guys who did a good job of lip syncing “26 Miles” (Beach Boys) won 1st Prize and got booed by the home crowd. The 2nd Place winners also got booed! We won 3rd Prize and got an extended standing ovation from the crowd.
Aside from beating Salem in football, it was one of the most satisfying moments of my 4 years in high school!! We donated the $10 Prize Money into a Class fund for purchasing a homeroom American flag so we could say the Pledge of Allegiance each morning.