September 30, 2010
Fifty Five Years
Intersection of California Highways 46 and 41
Highway 41 Runs Through Oakhurst to the North
September 30, 2010 will mark 55 years to the day since James Dean died.
This is the headline from September 30, 1955
” James Dean killed in car crash”
The Hollywood film star James Dean has been killed in a road accident in California, USA.
The 24-year-old actor was behind the wheel of his German-made Porsche sports car when it was involved in a head-on collision with another car 30 miles (48 km) east of Paso Robles this evening. Mr. Dean’s mechanic, Rolf Wutherich, who was a passenger in the car, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the other car was also injured. Medics said Mr Dean, who was dead on arrival at hospital, suffered a broken neck and numerous broken bones.
At the time of the accident the road racing enthusiast was on his way to a race meeting at Salinas, California.
James Dean completed his latest film “Giant”, an adaptation of Edna Ferber’s book about Texas, just yesterday. His first film, “East of Eden”, cast him firmly into the spotlight and many critics believe he had a glittering Hollywood future ahead of him.”
In just three films, he personified an attitude which became “Rock ‘n Roll.”
“East of Eden” –(1955)
“Rebel Without a Cause” — (1955)—and
“Giant”—(1956)
Thirty-one years ago, I recorded a “WTAC Editorial of the Air” for use over Memorial Day Weekend 1978. It combined a tribute to James Dean by David Essex called “Rock On” with key clips from each of Dean’s motion pictures. At the time, I sent a copy to my friend Dave Marsh, by then an Editor with Rolling Stone Magazine. He sent me a lovely note back.
Not too long ago , I was on Dave’s “Kick Out The Jams” show on Sirius/XM Satellite when he surprised me by playing the old WTAC Editorial coast-to-coast with all sorts of kind comments. That was very cool. Dave’s wife manages Bruce Springsteen.
As we decide — where do we go from here?
And which is the way that’s clear?
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