tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1134969481939975509.post4282280138983367432..comments2024-03-23T13:04:22.986-04:00Comments on Marco On The Bass: Greyhound - The Story behind "Black and White"Marco On The Basshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05874620674573034354noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1134969481939975509.post-13189446989623898472021-03-27T12:50:52.529-04:002021-03-27T12:50:52.529-04:00We used to sing this in school in the UK in the mi...We used to sing this in school in the UK in the mid 70s!<br />Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09915118339502173148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1134969481939975509.post-67027526749044057352016-01-18T13:05:52.268-05:002016-01-18T13:05:52.268-05:00In 1954, a reporter from a New York newspaper was ...In 1954, a reporter from a New York newspaper was sent to the south to report on the desegregation allowed by the Supreme Court's decision. <br /> He wrote about a high school in "Rupert, Virginia" that had admitted two negro students without any confrontations or trouble of any kind. When asking about local sentiment, he was surprised to find that there was very little, if any, opposition to the move. Everyone liked the family in the community.<br /> When Arkin and Robinson read the article, they were so impressed that they wrote the song reasoning that if it could be accepted in Virginia, it could be accepted anywhere in the US.<br /> Now the untold back story..... There is no Rupert, Virginia, much less a high school there.<br /> My mother was a student in the school and remembered well the reporter being there and asking questions about what other students and their families thought about the whole situation. Like everyone else, she couldn't see anything wrong about any of it. They were fine kids from a fine family.<br /> She laughed about it often and remarked that it seemed that tha only people that was even aware of there being a WEST Virginia were the "Ignorant old Hillbillies" that lived there.<br /> This story was related to me, by her, on numerous occasions. Her name was Mary Jean Martin, Rupert High School, Rupert West Virginia, Class of 1954.<br /> I do hope that someone with the capability to verify this will back me up because I know my mother didn't lie to me.....<br /><br /><br /> Bruce Fisher<br /> Sam Black Church,WVAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03135561610390269114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1134969481939975509.post-29811900842710606912016-01-18T12:43:35.992-05:002016-01-18T12:43:35.992-05:00As I have been told the story, a writer for one of...As I have been told the story, a writer for one of the New York city newspapers (it escapes me which) was sent to the south to write about the reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling in 1954. So he went to a small southern town in "Rupert, Virginia" that he had heard was integrating black students.<br /> Expecting to find conflict among the school and the locals, he was so suprized by how smoothly it went when two negro students were admitted that he wrote an article about how if it could happen in this southern school, it should by acceptable anywhere in the country.<br /> Arkin and Robinson were so inspired by the story that they wrote the song we now know.<br /> Now the correction that has escaped notice for over 60 years..... There is no "Rupert, Virginia". It was Rupert, WEST Virginia.<br /> My mother was in the class with the boy in the class of 1954 and remembered them as a fine family, accepted like anyone else in the community.<br /> Unfortunately, I cannot recall their names but I do remember my mom talking about the " New York reporter" being at the school. Her name was Mary Jean Martin, Rupert High School, Class of 1954.<br /> I'm sure someone with the resources can confirm this story but I've heard it all my life.<br /><br /> Robert Bruce Fisher<br /> Sam Black Church, WVAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03135561610390269114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1134969481939975509.post-41756965829309689842015-10-16T10:19:17.774-04:002015-10-16T10:19:17.774-04:00..Such simple and important Truth contained in thi.....Such simple and important Truth contained in this beautiful song.., yet soo many do not hear..?! <br /> Would love to see your post on Freddie..!?<br /> ~PeaceMourning Gloryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17590985667319268913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1134969481939975509.post-56022554570264537072008-07-25T16:34:00.000-04:002008-07-25T16:34:00.000-04:00lleo,What a cool story! Its amazing when and wher...lleo,<BR/><BR/>What a cool story! Its amazing when and where you will meet people. I'll do a future post on Freddie.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again for the comment.<BR/><BR/>MarcoMarco On The Basshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05874620674573034354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1134969481939975509.post-6528044694559261872008-07-17T13:06:00.000-04:002008-07-17T13:06:00.000-04:00In the early 1980s I worked at a petrol station in...In the early 1980s I worked at a petrol station in Kennington, Sth London. Altho the area was racially diverse there was not a lot of culture sharing back then. I was a young white guy but I used to bring my reggae cassettes to work with me and play them loud. Many of the black customers used to stop and chew the fat with me and listen to the music. One older guy, always in dirty overalls regularly used to talk to me about his youth playing music and the bands he liked. After some weeks he told me his name - Freddie Notes. Once a member of greyhound and of course Freddie Notes and the Rudies. Not sure which one he is in the video tho - twas a long time agoleolyonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12939482649941090818noreply@blogger.com