My moving memories of South Florida when streets were vibrant and full of clubs, hotels, assorted stores, head shops, and street life.
Florida Pop Festivals in the late 60s were touted as the first significant music festivals in the new Sex, Drugs, and Rock'n Roll long with Peace and Love cultural lifestyle.
I was there because I decided to leave my Northeastern lifestyle after attending grammar and high school there to seek higher education and a new beginning at the University of Miami and Florida International University, where I earned my BFA.
As a student intern at WPLG-TV10, I worked for the Washington Post and Newsweek magazine-owned media powerhouse. I was also a stringer for NPR, UPI, and AP Radio. Later, I became a staff reporter for WINZ and WNWS News.
Then, I married Maria Elena, my longtime sweetheart at Miami’s Botanical Gardens and we had two beautiful daughters. Natasha and Sabrina were both born in South Florida.
A few years later, we moved back to the northeast for an NBC News-writer and field producer job, then to California for a Univision executive producer position, then to Washington DC to work for GOP POTUS HW Bush at USIA, then to Texas to build a TV station on the US-Mexico border, then back to California and eventually returning to the northeast. This Mover and Shaker man who was born in Habana returned to NYC, where he felt he ought to be.
Miami was once a hippie hangout. See how the streets looked during the 1960s and ’70s https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article2945…
Meanwhile, Stevie Nicks who became a superstar as lead singer and songwriter for the '70s band Fleetwood Mac, and a platinum-selling solo artist took a different route in life Her latest song, "The Lighthouse," was inspired by her own experience with abortion, and a strong desire to "do something" following the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/stevie-nicks-on-speaking-out/
While on the subject of great old rock groups an old long-haired Miami amigo and hippie buddy from the 60s texted me and shared his thoughts about Santana, who we both worshipped in those crazy, freaky, unforgettable days of peace and love.
I'm sure I am extremely biased in my opinion, but of the various incarnations the Santana band has undergone in its 50+ year history of Latin music excellence and innovation, nothing tops the original Super Group he assembled for that classic debut album.
NEIL SCHON, possibly the greatest and most underrated guitarist in rock history
MICHAEL SHRIEVE, beyond a doubt my favorite rock drummer, up there with legends like JOHN BONHAM
CHEPITO ARIES.... and what can you say about the most proficient and fastest timbale players ever
And of course, nothing need be said of the master of Latin Jazz Rock guitar, the inimitable CARLOS SANTANA!
WOW! What a group - https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4-oCE2y-CrHL4t8P4AfUiju_Ku5ds113
Thankfully, the beat goes on. my two daughters have blessed me with five grandchildren that are beyond what I could have imagined way back when… And so it goes.