So on Saturday night, me, Paula, and Sally went to the Shinshu Kyokai bon dance. There we met up with Rodney Kaneshiro (from the band Wasabi) and his girl, CT.
Sally and Paula were dancing around the yagura in the drizzling rain. But during a break while we were all standing around together talking story, Rodney K. says “Hey, that girl standing over there looks like Judy Yogi from the Sounds of Innocence band. Sally quickly agreed and said “Yeah, no?”.
So eventually, as the suspense was just killing Rodney K. – he slides up next to her and says “Excuse me, is your name Judy?” And she replies “Yes! How did you know?”. Rodney K. told her that he recognized her from the Sounds of Innocence. She felt a little embarrassed in front of her family. But hey! She was one of the top female singers back then!
Quickly, Sally introduces me and says “Rodney writes a blog called Midlife Crisis and he always tells his story of how his first ever slow dance was at a Nuuanu Y dance – dancing the the Sounds of Innocence playing “If I Could Reach You”. Judy said that she remembers that she used to sing that song!
I introduce Sally and the rest of the people as Judy calls over her husband, Les and introduces him. She said that he was the bass player for Sounds of Innocence.
Now the conversation was really taking off and we asked if they still played music. They both replied that they don’t play anymore although Judy was asked a few times if she’d like to start singing again. But she said that it would take up too much of her time as she wants to spend her time with her family.
We talked of how a lot of musicians from the old bands are coming back together again and forming new bands to play all the golden hits that we remember. Like Wasabi for instance. And we talked about the 70′s Nightclub Reunion gigs and bands like Powerhouse and Funkshun. And of course, I had to pitch this blog where old memories and music live on.
We encouraged them to come out and see this resurgence of musicians from yesteryear living their passion for music once again. And maybe one day – Les and Judy too will again be sharing the stage.
But before Les and Judy were about to leave, we had to take pictures – in case nobody believed my story.
Les, Judy, and me
Les, Judy, and Sally – notice the bon dance towel around Sally’s neck
Rodney Kaneshiro, Les, and Judy
After Les, Judy and their family left, I mentioned to Rodney K. that we’re so glad that he had the courage to approach Judy and ask if that was her. He said that he would’ve regretted not asking as he would’ve kept wondering.
Oh how I would love to see the Sounds of Innocence get back together once again. Or at least listen to Judy sing “If I could Reach You” as I slow dance with Paula…
So with that – it’s music time once again. I’m looking for songs that you remember from the early to mid-seventies. Doesn’t have to be dance songs – just ones that really stick out in your memory. I’ll start off with one: