July 26, 2026

By Arthur H. Gunther III

thecolumnrule.com

Listen up, class. Before you read this column, go to YouTube or your browser and listen to a two-minute rendition of “Red River Rock” by Johnny and the Hurricanes (1959). Then come back to me. Be honest now. It’s the overture to my words.

Have you listened? If that repeated back beat, sax, organ, constant rhythm didn’t rock you, maybe even to goosebumps, class dismissed, you. Have a good one. But if you were stirred as I was when I tripped over this on-the-charts catchy, energetic old number from early rock ‘n’ roll, I invite you to keep it in your head all day. It may do wonders. I perked up.

It is amazing though not surprising that certain instrumentals and vocals can get the blood moving, can push aside milder blues, can make the joints temporarily less arthritic.

Not surprising because scientifically, rock and roll produces frequencies that stimulate endorphin release, helping to make you feel good and say “sc..w it” to little things. True of other music as well, of course. Singing along, smiling, laughing and dancing as you listen add similar frequencies.

So, in this increasingly sad time of national and world distress, with days that bring ever more awful headlines written off bad deeds by those who would silence humanity’s rhythm, the homework, class, is to blast “Red River Rock” or whatever is your fancy. Lighten the load. Rock on.

The writer is a retired newspaperman.

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