Published: July 20, 2008 08:19 pm      

MICHELLE MIKESIC BENDER | Everybody, let’s rock

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Remember advertising jingles?

“See the USA in your Chevrolet.”

“Brylcream, a little dab’ll do ya.”

“Mm mm good, mm mm good, that’s what Campbell’s soup is.”

Jingles have become nearly extinct, with a few notable exceptions: “It’s time to drive a Ford again,” and “1-800-SAFE AUTO” – both of which, in my opinion, deserve extinction.

Old rock songs have pretty much replaced catchy advertising tunes.

In one commercial, a Garfield-like house cat prowls his yard while the family dog croons, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Swiffer cleans your house “One Way Or Another.”

In another ad, a man, a squirrel, two birds and a fox cruising in a Jeep Liberty harmonize on “Rock Me Gently.”

But my personal favorite is “Viva Viagra.”

Lisa Marie has a lawsuit pending, claiming this would offend her dad. Huh? If Elvis – who apparently never met a drug he didn’t like – still were alive, he’d be popping Vs like TicTacs!

The famous DJ, the late Alan Freed, declared, “Rock ’n’ roll will never die.” I hear that!

Friends of mine who have a rock band rehearse in my basement. Red Alert, a tremendously talented foursome, rock my world regularly.

And thanks to the endless array of Time-Life CD collections, I can relive music from doo-wop to soul to flower power anytime.

While I boogied to Bon Jovi and Van Halen in the 1980s and ’90s, my music roots remain in the ’60s and ’70s.

I danced to “Shop Around,” “Wipe-Out” and “The Locomotion” at the downtown Teen Canteen and the Westmont Grove. At Richland’s Cage, I grooved to the “Hanky Panky” and “Good Lovin’.”

Great songs all, but my faves? Glad you asked.

Let’s count down:

5. “Dirty Water.” The Standell’s salute to Boston’s Charles River made a super dance tune.

4. “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.” When David Ruffin wails “I know you want to leave me ...,” The Temptations soar!

3. “Mustang Sally.” Sentimental me, I owned one once.

2. “Louie, Louie.” We couldn’t understand the words, and we didn’t care.

And my No. 1 ... “Born To Be Wild” – the ultimate baby boomer anthem!

Reminiscing gave me a great idea. What is Johnstown’s favorite rock song?

Let’s find out.

All four of my Red Alert buddies also are members of the Johnstown Classic Rockers, who will be playing at the Roxbury Bandshell at 3 p.m. Sept. 14.

During that concert, they’ve agreed to play whatever we choose as Johnstown’s favorite.

So, speak up! Tell me what you like and why. Think up-tempo; we’ll do love songs another time.

E-mail me at MsGeezerette@aol.com or write to me at The Tribune-Democrat, 425 Locust St., Johnstown, Pa. 15901. To simply cast a vote, e-mail tribdem@tribdem.com.

I’ll announce the winner in an early September column. Let’s all support the Bandshell and go hear our choice on Sept. 14.

Everybody, let’s rock!