Page 4 July 13, 2017 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn in Torrance Torrance High School Celebrates Its Centennial Story and Photos by TerriAnn Ferren September 11, 2017 marks Torrance High School’s 100th year. Located on Carson Street in the heart of downtown Torrance, the city’s first high school was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Its beautiful architecture has attracted Hollywood film companies, and counts Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Beverly Hills 90210 among its film credits. This past week I met with Torrance High School Centennial Committee members Debbie Hays and Karen Gebhard, who were filled with anticipation for the upcoming celebratory festivities. The rededication and ribbon-cutting of Torrance High School, sponsored by Valfour Beatty (who is responsible for the renovation at the school), will take place on Monday, September 11. But the celebration begins on Friday, September 8 with a football game at Zamperini Stadium. This event will not only include current football players and cheer teams, but all former (not old) football players, coaches, band members, cheer team, pep squad and drill team members. “And they will be honored…the people who have participated before--these groups--they will be asked to come out on the field, and…they will be recognized,” said Debbie. If you happen to be a “former” football player, coach, cheer squad member, drill team or band member, please register by accessing the Torrance High School website: www.TorranceHigh100tusd. org or www.torrancehighcentennial.com. Festivities on Saturday, September 9 begin with an open house that invites everyone from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. into the school for self-tours through the newly renovated classrooms. Food trucks offering a meal or a nibble, along with activities for children, will be available. Displays throughout the school will highlight each school club, and a special bulletin board where you can leave a message for a classmate or teacher will most assuredly be popular. Do you have a favorite teacher you remember from Torrance High School? Former teachers will be available in the library for reminiscing, greeting and celebrating. Also, a mini car show and activities for the kids will keep you busy all afternoon. But there is more! After reminiscing at the school, making new friends and touring the newly “spit and polished” facilities, walk into nearby downtown Torrance for dinner and grab a bite at one of the local eateries and get ready for the Show of the Century that evening. Saturday night, the newly remodeled Torrance High School Auditorium will host and rock the walls at 7 p.m. for the Concert of the Century – Beato Band @Torrance High School, featuring Tartar alum David Pack, best known as the cofounder, singer and guitarist of Ambrosia, who will put on a concert worthy of a 100- year celebration. David will play a set with Beato Band, including fellow Torrance High School alumni Fred Beato and Tom Croucier. Classic hits such as “Biggest Part of Me”, “How Much I Feel”, and “You’re the Only Woman” will be performed. David Pack has established himself as a successful solo artist, in-demand Grammy-winning record producer, and music director for events of some of the leading musical talent of today, including Elton John, Billy Joel, Madonna and Barbra Streisand. And one fan (who attended Nativity Grammar School with “Fernando” Beato), told me, “Fred Beato, formerly known as Fernando, played at the eighth grade graduation party I attended at Doug Salcido’s house. So I don’t want to miss him at the Torrance High School Reunion bash,” said Linda (Lancaster) Norton. I was honored that the legendary David Pack took time from his busy schedule and answered some questions for me about this very special upcoming historic concert. TF -When did you first know music was what you wanted to do? DP - I was maybe five, watching my father sing in the church choir. Then he taught me ukulele chords and I was off to the races. It became clear music was my future from very early in life…once I saw the joy it gave others when I sang and played. TF - Did growing up in the Torrance/ South Bay influence your style of music? DP - Yes, for sure. Surf music everywhere and our culture impacted me. You know the cars, the surf, the South Bay soul…plus British Invasion. The melting pot of ethnicities influenced me in South Bay for sure. My mother was friends with Larry Carlton’s mom, though Larry was older--and seeing photos of him around Torrance music stores as a young pro playing Vegas at age 12 made me feel a sense of ‘I better get going here!’ Larry and I eventually became good friends. Danny Tims...he ended up playing with Bonnie Raitt. TF - Do you remember anything specifically in Torrance that sparked a specific lyric? DP - Oh, gosh, everything that happened in Howard Wood Elementary--when Torrance High affected me…those early crushes we all had…recently I wrote the song “My Old Friend” as a tribute to my old friend Fred Beato and our life in Torrance High…We even filmed the video partly in front of THS! You’ll see the video on YouTube by our Beato Band and shots of us around the Bay! Ambrosia rehearsed at my Torrance home guesthouse. I wrote many songs there. “Holdin’ On To Yesterday,” Ambrosia’s first hit…songs on the first two Ambrosia albums… TF - How do you feel about coming back to Torrance High School playing in the Auditorium? DP - It’s a great feeling…full circle! I am psyched up and we will have a show full of surprises. I’m forever a South Bay Torrance High proud graduate and this is a once-in-a lifetime 100-year event, so I’m really honored too! We all have the inspiration of Louis Zamperini, our local hero and THS grad, to inspire us and his legacy to live up to. TF - Do you have fond memories of growing up in Torrance? DP - Yes, for sure! The smell of those eucalyptus trees in Torrance Park…riding my bike to Foster Freeze in downtown Old Torrance. Marshall Music… the drive-in theatres, the Torrance Plunge. Del Amo Mall… and what about Wherehouse Records?! It was the biggest record retail store in America for years… I could write a book about growing up in Torrance in the ‘60s and ‘70s. What about the Blue Law, then The Bank music venue? We had the biggest names in music! I met Jim Morrison of The Doors there! My early band Sentry’s performed there. I saw Spirit, Chicago Transit Authority, Canned Heat…so many great acts. When I was very young at my grandmother’s house in Torrance Kettler Knolls area, we’d wait for the Helms Donut truck! It was an innocent time where neighbors all knew each other’s names and we seemed to all pull together in a more friendly environment. When we had rainy days at school, the teachers would have me bring my guitar and sing for the classes. “Land of a Thousand Dances”, Beatle songs, you name it. I am sure the early support of my classmates gave me the self-confidence to keep going and pursue music as a career. I will always be thankful for that early support. And that’s part of me giving back on September 9 at the Concert of the Century. David Pack concluded the interview by inviting everyone to the Centennial Concert of the Century supporting Torrance High School, “Let’s show them what we’re made of! And please feel free to suggest on my Facebook page any songs you guys would like to hear us perform! David Pack Music / Facebook. Remember the gym wall: When the going gets tough, the tough get going! That’s Torrance spirit!” He then said, “Fred Beato, Tom Croucier and myself were in the Symbols of Tyme in 1968 and won the US Battle of the Bands. We represented Torrance! We are returning as Beato Band. I’ll sing some of my hit songs, there will be a tribute to Symbols of Tyme as well, some of the original members will show up. Let’s all give it up for THS and recapture for that moment the spirit of community we all grew up with!” For more information, access www. beatoband.com. Check out David Pack’s song honoring Fred Beato and the memory of their “high school daze” featuring scenes in front of Torrance High School and South Bay hot spots in My Old Friend at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=XQNEXYhpN7Q. In the video, you will recognize the sights of our own hometown and get a sneak peak into the iconic sound of the very special evening ahead of us on Saturday night. Get your tickets and your centennial sweatshirts and t-shirts on-line at www.TorranceHighCentennial.com. With all the festivities planned for September 8, 9 and 11, Torrance High School most assuredly is rolling out the red carpet. Whether you are a longtime resident or not, and whether you attended Torrance High School or not, this is a time to celebrate a part of Torrance history with fellow residents. Plan on attending all the activities planned for this Centennial Celebration--the Friday night football game, the Saturday open house, and the not-to-bemissed spectacular Concert of the Century in the Auditorium that night. Monday morning concludes the celebration, on September 11 with the ribbon-cutting, which finalizes the honoring of Torrance High School’s 100th birthday with an epic photograph of the entire student body. Mark your calendar now and be sure to get your tickets for the concert! Torrance continues making history with each passing day. • Debbie Hays and Karen Gebhard. Fred Beato and David Pack. alone aloI linve e FREE Saving a life from a potential catastrophe EVERY 10 MINUTES! but I’’I’m m never alone. I have Life Alert.® One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7, can’t • medical • fall • fi re • invasion • CO gas emergencies. For a FREE brochure call: Medical Alert Medical Alert Industry Leader Industry Leader Since 1987 Since 1987 No landline? No problem! 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