Evanston Township High School
Class of 1970
It's been long. . .
Things started out like a typical 50th reunion. A committee was formed. A date was set
(September 2020). A hotel ballroom was booked. Invitations were sent to members of
the ETHS Class of ‘70. We were excited!
And it's been winding. . .
The pandemic then threw everyone a curveball. We wisely decided to postpone our
celebration. Instead of rejoicing, we began reorganizing. We substituted our party
rooms for party Zooms.
We're on. . . We're off.
Repeat.
Two years later we have finally made it.
After a couple of false starts, the Class of '70 will at last come together.
We've waited 52 years to celebrate our 50th Reunion. And learned some things along
the way. We've learned to adjust our sails to the changing winds, worries and winding
roads that confronted us. Our resiliency has been put to the test.
It doesn't really matter when we gather together, as long as we eventually do. Now we
are able to share even more stories. We may be older, but we're wiser, stronger, and
certainly more grateful. What was once taken for granted, has become a privilege.
Please join us at the Double Clutch Brewing Company on September 3rd for a joyful
celebration of whom we are today. An opportunity for classmates of 1970 to celebrate
evolving. . . and becoming. This event will be festive and fun and enable the ETHS Class
of ‘70 to reunite as a unified whole.
"Reunited, and it feels so good!"
It's been worth the wait.
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Our #1 Song
Classic, timeless and iconic . . .
The Long and Winding Road
The Beatles
We saved the best for last
Yeah. . .Yeah. . .Yeah.
Brought to you by Willie Wildkit and the ETHS Class of 1970 FUN! Committee
CLICK HERE to visit the ETHS 1970 Countdown Video Playlist on YouTube.
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Please join us two weeks from now for
3 DAYS of PEACE, LOVE & MUSIC
at the
ETHS Class of '70 Reunion
Weekend of Sept. 3rd, 2022
"Reunited, and it feels so good!"
Song #3 on this week’s Countdown takes you back to Yasgur's Farm in upstate New York
"Woodstock"
Written by Joni Mitchell
Performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Far out, Man!
And for an inspiring Woodstock ENCORE, here is an unforgettable performance from
the iconic concert that touched and changed us all
Considered as one of their best performances, sing along with Hit #2
"I Want to Take You Higher"
By Sly & The Family Stone
Of course, we're hoping for no rain. . .
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Hi fellow Kits-
For a supremely wonderful time, register now for the
ETHS Class of '70 Reunion
September 3rd , 2022
At the Double Clutch Brewery in Evanston
"Reunited, and it feels so good!"
One of the most successful American groups of the 1960's and a foremost act of
Motown Records, brings you our next two Musical Countdown memories.
Hit #4
"The Happening"
By The Supremes
What's happening? Our Reunion!
Hit #5
"Some Day We'll Be Together"
By The Supremes
When? On September 3rd of course!!
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Look out, Baby, 'cause here we come!
From their origins in Detroit six decades ago, this extraordinary group was ranked #1
in Billboard magazine's most recent list of the Greatest R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of All Time.
Take the hint from Musical Countdown Hit #6
"Get Ready"
By The Temptations
So, fiddley-dee, fiddley-dum
This Reunion's gonna be some fun!
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Jim Croce wrote this tender ballad as a tribute to his wife, Ingrid, in December,1970.
It hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 a couple of years later.
During our high school years, Croce released five studio albums. Interestingly, he had to
work a series of odd jobs during that time to make ends meet. Rock n’ roll didn’t pay well
in the good ole days.
Sadly, Croce died in a plane crash in 1973. He was 30 years old. Musical Countdown #7 is
a tribute to him.
"Time in a Bottle"
By Jim Croce
‘If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do’…
…is reunite with friends and classmates
at the
ETHS Class of '70 Reunion
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R-E-U-N-I-O-N
Come and see your friends again!
As a child, Aretha Louise Franklin was noticed for her gospel singing at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father was a minister. At the age of 18, she signed a recording contract with Columbia Records. While her career did not immediately flourish, Franklin found acclaim and commercial success once she signed with Atlantic Records in 1966, and eventually earned the title, "Queen of Soul."
Spelling out Muiscal Countdown #8 and one of her greatest hits...
Respect
By Aretha Franklin
Written by Otis Redding
(Sock-it-to-me, sock-it-to-me, sock-it-to-me, sock-it-to-me!)
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Girl Groups. . . Guy Groups. . .
We hope you find YOUR old groups at the ETHS Class of '70 Reunion
Until then, enjoy these groups!
Who doesn't like good vibes?
Hit #10 coming to you warm and sunny.
"Good Vibrations"
By The Beach Boys
Romantically remember Hit #9
"Then He Kissed Me"
By The Crystals
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Hit #11 features the folk-rock duo Simon and Garfunkel, whose best years correspond closely with our years at ETHS. Between 1966 and 1970, S&G had three #1 hits: "Mrs. Robinson," "The Boxer" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Simon and Garfunkel split up after "Bridge" in 1970, just as we were graduating. However they got back together in 1981 in New York's Central Park, where they performed a free concert benefiting the redevelopment and maintenance of the Park.
Enjoy one of their soulful songs from this epic concert.
"Homeward Bound"
By Simon and Garfunkel
Here's hoping many of you will be homeward bound for the ETHS Class of '70 Reunion
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In the fall of senior year, a groundbreaking Broadway musical opened at Chicago's Shubert Theatre. The show told the story of a group of hippies living in New York City protesting the Vietnam War. The performance was notable (and controversial) for two things: nudity and an amazing musical score. The show, of course, was "HAIR".
This week's song, Hit #12, is one of the seminal tunes from the Musical and the anti-war era.
"Age of Aquarius"
By The Fifth Dimension
**********************
You are cordially invited to join your classmates (fully clothed) at the ETHS Class of '70 Reunion where you can re-enact your hippie days at our 1960's themed photo booth!
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Hit #13 is a moving melody featured on an album that sold an unprecedented 25 million copies.
"So Far Away"
By Carol King
From the album "Tapestry"
Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore? Are you "far away?" According to our website, our classmates are scattered across 42 states and 6 foreighn countries.
And many of them will be returning to Evanston for the Class of '70 Reunion.
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While it’s fun to fondly re-live the good ole days, Hit #14 reminds us….
"Let’s Live for Today"
The Grass Roots
By ‘Today’, we mean Saturday, September 3rd.
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Today begins the final countdown to our 50th Reunion celebration.
And what better way to kick things off than kickin' back to Hit #15 from our mellow days at ETHS.
"Yesterday's Gone"
By Chad & Jeremy
So, don't delay. . . Yesterday may be gone, but you can sign up today.
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Hit #16 is a reminder for you to sign up now, because your classmates want to…
“See You in September”
The Happenings
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Hit #17 lets you know that six months from today:
“I’ll Be There”
Jackson Five
Will you?
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Our Musical Countdown is really smokin'!
Check out Hit #18 if you've got the notion. . .
"I Second That Emotion"
By Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
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Hit #19 reminds you that...
“Everything is Beautiful”
Ray Stevens
And ‘everything’ is ready when we come together to celebrate.
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Here's Hit #20 coming to you in the (e)mail . . .
"Signed, Sealed & Delivered"
By Stevie Wonder
I'm yours!
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Round and around and around we go with Hit #21 on the Musical Countdown.
Great googa-looga, can't you hear me talking to you?
Sayin'. . .
"Ball of Confusion"
By The Temptations
And the band played on.
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You can ponder perpetual motion with Hit #22:
"Up Around the Bend"
By Creedence Clearwater Revival
There's always time for good conversation.
There's an ear for what you say. . .
Hope you'll be there.
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"Reunited" and it feels so good!
Not only was this a 70's top hit by the musical duo, Peaches and Herb, it is now the theme of our 50th Reunion. With less than a year to go, we look forward to the time when we can reminisce, rejoice and reunite with our long-time ETHS friends from the class of 1970.
Hit #23 reminds you to save the date, 09/03/22, when we will be. . .
"Reunited"
By Peaches and Herb
It will feel SO good!
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One year and counting until our Reunion.
Enjoy #24. A beautiful ballad from the show "Rent."
"Seasons of Love"
By Jonathan Larson
How do YOU measure a year?
Share your memories on 9/03/2022.
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Would love to go to hit #25 with you:
"Love Land"
By Charles Wright
and
The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
Got to take me with you. Oh yeah. . .
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Sending you hit #26:
"The Letter"
By Joe Cocker
Gimme a ticket for an airplane. . .Got to get back to my classmates again!
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Spelling out hit #27:
"ABC"
By The Jackson 5
Make your reservation for the ETHS Class of 1970 Reunion, Sept. 3rd, 2022.
It's easy as 1 - 2 - 3!
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"We've Only Just Begun" getting ready to rock at our ETHS 1970 Class Reunion.
We bring you song #28:
"Come Saturday Morning"
By The Sandpipers
Come Saturday evening, Sept. 3rd, 2022. . . We'll see you at the DoubleTree Hilton!
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Save the Reunion date!
And as suggested by song #29:
"Save the Country"
By The Fifth Dimenison
Brought to you by Willie Wildkit and the ETHS Class of 1970 FUN! Committee.
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Say "Hello" to song #30:
"Never Can Say Goodbye"
By Gloria Gaynor
Brought to you by Willie Wildkit and the ETHS Class of 1970 FUN! Committee.
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We bring you #31 on our Musical Countdown:
"Sugar, Sugar"
By Wilson Pickett
Be patient... Sweet things will be coming your way at the ETHS 1970 Class Reunion!
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Time to hit the nostalgia button with song #32 on our 1970 Survey Countdown:
"Mississippi Queen"
By Mountain
Don't be MISS-issipping from the Reunion!
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Continue your Countdown with us!
Coming in at #33 on our 1970 Survey:
"Which Way You Going Billy"
By Poppy Family
Billy's going to the ETHS Class of '70 Reunion, of course. Join him!
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Hit #34 from our 1970 Survey Countdown:
"Check Out Your Mind"
By The Impressions
. . . and "Check In" at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel, September 1st-3rd, 2022
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New year. . .New resolutions. . .New music!
Hit #35 from the 1970 Survey Countdown:
"Lay A Little Lovin' On Me"
By Robin McNamara
Lay a little lovin' on your friends at the ETHS Class of '70 Reunion!
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Time to look forward to good times ahead!
Coming in at hit #36 from the 1970 Survey Countdown:
"Tighter and Tighter"
By Alive and Kicking
(As in, how my clothes are fitting (or not!) after 50+ years!)
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Here is hit #37 from the 1970 Survey Countdown:
"Reach Out and Touch Somebody"
By Diana Ross
Virtually for now. . . Up close and personal at the Reunion!
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Continuing our trip down "Musical Memory Lane" . . .
Here is song #38 from the 1970 Survey Countdown:
"Love Me or Let Me Be Lonely"
By Friends of Distinction
No need to be lonely. Share the love with your classmates at the Reunion!
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Song coming in at #39:
"Reflections of My Life"
By Marmalade
Let's reflect on our lives when we are together!
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Song #40 captures the moment and kicks off our Musical Countdown by asking a very pertinent question:
"Are You Ready?"
By Pacific Gas and Electric
Well. . . ARE you?
Because we ARE!
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