The New York Times ran a profile this week of Brenda Lee by writer Lindsay Zoladz.

Lee’s voice was nimble: She could excite teenagers with rockabilly hits like “Sweet Nothin’s” — Presley’s favorite Lee song, which was many years later sampled by Kanye West — and win over their parents by crooning ballads like “Emotions.” Her ability to straddle the worlds of pop, rock and country made her a constant fixture on the hit parade. Lee had the fourth most chart hits in the 1960s (47), surpassed only by Elvis, the Beatles and Ray Charles. She was the first woman to be inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The headline, and the story, caught my eye because I remember Brenda Lee’s appearance at Honolulu’s old Civil Auditorium many years ago.

I immediately sent a copy to Roy Yempuku, who was my best friend during my last year or so at Kahala Elementary School, and then through our years together at University High School, the university lab school. His dad, Ralph Yempuku, was an active, well-known, and well-regarded Honolulu promoter.

…[I]n the 1950s he worked as a promoter with a budding young disc jockey who had an ear for rock ‘n’ roll,” according to a story by Rod Antone in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin at the time of his death in 2002. “‘He taught me the business,’ said promoter Tom Moffatt. ‘We brought in Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Frankie Avalon.’”

And Brenda Lee.

Those were the years that Roy invited me to attend concerts, wrestling matches, and roller derby where, courtesy of his dad, we were always seated close to the action.

I thought we were about 12 when we saw Brenda Lee perform. But a quick online search turned up the date of her appearance at the Civic–December 9, 1960. I was a tall (over 6 feet), skinny and shy 13-year old, and Roy and I were almost half-way through our 8th grade year at the time.

To tell you the truth, I don’t remember anything specific about Brenda Lee’s performance. But what I do recall vividly is that after the show, we were with a small group that stopped for a late night meal at McCully Chop Suey. I seem to recall that we went upstairs and sat at a standard round table that probably seated 10. There could have been two tables, but I don’t have a clear recollection. It was a small setting, not small enough to be intimate, but certainly intimidating!

I can’t speak for Roy, but I sat in fear and trembling, wondering how to act when across the table was a touring rock & roll star just a couple of years older than we were. I probably just sat in awe and absorbed the moment.

It’s just one of many moments when, looking back, I wish I had paid more attention to details that might be recalled 60+ years later.