Those irrepressible and beloved BU scholars who tore through the station in 1958, like a strong dose of Intest-o-cleanse, returned for the Reunion, bringing with them their particular brand of irreverent chutzpah (and hats especially designed for the occasion by Vic Washkevich).
For the uninitiated, they are (from the left) Bill Heitz, Vic Washkevich, Don Mallinson, Jean (“The Queen”) Brady Moscone Jolly, Ed Donlon, Bob (“The King”) Moscone (uncharacteristically obscured), Paul Noble and Stew White.
With the enthusiastic assistance of Bob Moscone (appearing in the top picture dressed in robin’s-egg blue), they made good on a promise to reprise their original theme song, having specially updated it with several new lines. The melody’s that of the Kingston Trio number “Charlie on the MTA.” The words, set down by Ed Donlon, are the scholars’ own. For the curious, the whole rousing song, as performed at the 2000 Reunion, can be heard in this audio clip. Introductory remarks are by Paul Noble.
From Vic Washkevich
(At that 40th reunion in 1998: left to right, Bob Moscone, Stew White, Vic Washkevich (me), Ed Donlon, author of our anthem. As can be seen from the tabletop, we lived on beer, popcorn and anecdotes.)
Sing along now, remove caps, and place your hand over your heart. You know the tune. Hummm… Here goes.
Before we leave we would like to tell a story ‘Bout a group who’s fame’s well earned. They’re known around hereAs the Lowell Scholars The gang that never returned.
Oh, they never returnedNo they never returned And their fate is still unlearned. They just never came back to walk the streets of Boston. The gang that never returned.
It was in the year of 1957That they first hit old Bean Town Nine assorted males and a Tennessee Lady A stranger group couldn’t be found.
But they never returnedNo they never returned And their fate is still unlearned. They are banned forever from the streets of Boston The gang that never returned.
They had communications coursesAnd the GBH resources. And they put on some startling shows,Like ZOOM shots of the ceiling And the boom man always reelingAnd Louie Lyons blowing his nose.
That’s why they never returnedNo they never returned And their fate is still unlearned. So they’re banned forever from the streets of Boston The gang that never returned.
They had a baby grand pianoAnd lots of fat sopranos That they used to push around the set. But Whitney Thompson started screamingThat the scholars are all scheming To sabotage his chances for the Met.
So they never returnedNo they never returned And their fate is still unlearned. They are banished forever from the streets of Boston The gang that never returned.
They did some shows about religionsAnd a lady who raised pigeons Plus the concerts at the BSO.But by far the most exciting Was the Science show on lightningWhen it blew out ten lights or so.
So they never returnedNo they never returned And their fate is still unlearned. They are banned forever from the streets of Boston The gang that never returned.
In the annals of that stationNow known widely ‘cross the nation Here’s a secret that no one reveals. Of those wild and crazy scholarsWho worked for zero dollars They were pioneering ETV schlemiels.
So they never returnedNo they never returned And their fate is still unlearned. They are banned forever from the streets of Boston The gang that never returned.
And though the years just kept on passingThere were friendships everlasting Built on memories of long ago. Of that little TV stationWith it’s hot-bed of gestation for the most creative television shows.
Still they never returnNo they’ll never return But their fate has now been learned. They have just come back to walk the streets of Boston The gang that never returned.
But it was not the holy grailIt was Internet e-mail That brought about this gathering. With a great “Rewired” sound pageAnd a chance to see this sound stage Who could pass this opportunity?
So we finally returnedYes, we finally returned And our fate has now been learned. We have all come home to walk the streets of Boston The gang that finally returned.
Thanks folks.
For pure, good spirit, there’s nothing quite like you.
Hat photos: Don Hallock, Crew ’58 Photos: Courtesy of Vic Washkevich
The Party XXII – Class of ’58
Those irrepressible and beloved BU scholars who tore through the station in 1958, like a strong dose of Intest-o-cleanse, returned for the Reunion, bringing with them their particular brand of irreverent chutzpah (and hats especially designed for the occasion by Vic Washkevich).
For the uninitiated, they are (from the left) Bill Heitz, Vic Washkevich, Don Mallinson, Jean (“The Queen”) Brady Moscone Jolly, Ed Donlon, Bob (“The King”) Moscone (uncharacteristically obscured), Paul Noble and Stew White.
With the enthusiastic assistance of Bob Moscone (appearing in the top picture dressed in robin’s-egg blue), they made good on a promise to reprise their original theme song, having specially updated it with several new lines. The melody’s that of the Kingston Trio number “Charlie on the MTA.” The words, set down by Ed Donlon, are the scholars’ own. For the curious, the whole rousing song, as performed at the 2000 Reunion, can be heard in this audio clip. Introductory remarks are by Paul Noble.
From Vic Washkevich
(At that 40th reunion in 1998: left to right, Bob Moscone, Stew White, Vic Washkevich (me), Ed Donlon, author of our anthem. As can be seen from the tabletop, we lived on beer, popcorn and anecdotes.)
Sing along now, remove caps, and place your hand over your heart. You know the tune. Hummm… Here goes.
Thanks folks.
For pure, good spirit, there’s nothing quite like you.
Hat photos: Don Hallock, Crew ’58 Photos: Courtesy of Vic Washkevich