Past Passenger Wednesday

The Raiderette's

We call ourselves the Raiderette's!

Paul and the band are the VERY BEST musicians ever! They are just Good People all the way around! We love them so much, that we dress like them when attending their concerts.

We will see everyone in January!

Joy Day and Lola Cord

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I took the first picture when I first saw them on our cruise several years ago. I'm surprised they got to the concert on time, because everyone stopped them on their way to the theatre. Every year I receive a number of calls from passengers wanting to know what to wear on the cruise and wouldn't it just be a riot if we all showed up at Paul's concert dressed as Raider's and Raiderette's. Well, I'm not suggesting that we go to that degree, but these Raiderette's make this cruise so much fun and that is why I enjoy doing it year after year.

But, I'm not letting you all off the hook that easy, you'll certainly want to dust off your saddle shoe's, pack your Brylcreem and come dance the night away during Mike Harvey's Super Gold Sock Hop! Mike will spin the tunes to your favorite music that will take you back to cruising with your favorite gal and dancing in the "old" gym with your special guy. I have had more passengers tell me that they haven't had so much fun in years! You'll have an opportunity to dance to our live band JR & The Stingrays, or Jim and Steve's All Request Dance Party, or Jimmy Jay's Rewind Dance Party. There is something going on all the time on this "Where The Action Is" cruise!

If you have a favorite picture or story, send me an e-mail. I'd love to put it up! See you in January and by the way....invite your friends, because all this fun needs to be shared!

Tammy

Past Passenger Wednesday

My wife Patti and I were hosting the Kool 104.3 Boise, Idaho group on the legendary SS Norway in September of ’94. On the cruise that year was Bobby Vee. I had never met him or seen him in concert but was a big fan of his music. After a brief meeting the first night on the ship at dinner, Bobby turned out to be everything I had hoped for ... over-the-top friendly and that has turned into a longtime friendship with the Armstrong family.
Next day Patti and I decide to explore the ship. We were on the top deck near the back of the ship, turned the corner and there’s Bobby with his canvas and water colors painting a seascape … and it was great! We asked about his interest in art and he explained that if it wasn’t for music he wanted to be a painter. WHO KNEW?!?! So, I figured “what have I got to lose?” so asked him what he does with his painting. He said he usually just throws them away. “It’s just good therapy ... very relaxing” he told us. I then went for the kill … “I’d love to have a Bobby Vee original to hang in my office”. He was very polite and said something to the effect of “Well, I’ll see what I can do”. Thanked him for his time and Patti and I continued on with our journey of getting lost on the ship.
Now, fast forward 5 months later. UPS shows up at our house with a box from Minnesota. What? We weren’t expecting anything from Minnesota. We opened the box … AND THERE IT WAS!!! The very same picture he painted on the SS Norway … framed, matted and autographed. A Bobby Vee original water color painting, in my house and I’m holding it!!! LIVE IS GOOD!!
But I find out a year or so later that it’s even better. Talking with Bobby’s son Jeff … “Dad NEVER lets his pictures get out. Me and my brothers don’t even have a painting by dad!!” WOW, WOW, WOW. Not only do I have a Bobby original but now it’s pretty much exclusive!
I hold this painting near and dear to my heart and it’s my #1 piece of rock and roll memorabilia. It’s hanging in my office, look at it every day and think how lucky Patti and I were to get lost on the ship and run into Bobby.
This is just a brief example of how the Oldies Cruise performers over the years have embraced the fans and spend time talking and reminiscing about the good old days.
By the way … painting is not for sale. Thanks for asking though ……….

Jack Armstrong
Oldies Cruise Host and MC