Can anyone say Buffalo Springfield?
Here are some photos out of the archives. Fortunately for me, my mom saved everything. This first photo is of me in my bedroom at 2103 N. Ohio Ave. in Davenport, Iowa where I lived since I was 7 years old until leaving home at age 21. I had the Neil Young look going with the mutton chops and long hair. Fortunately for Silver Laughter, I cleaned up nicely!
That’s my girlfriend and (later) first wife, Pam Liedtke (not Ludtke, ironically) sitting on the bed. Notice the poster of the Beatles barely visible on the wall behind her. The box on the bed might be indicating that I was moving to Colorado with The Contents Are:. I met Pam while we were playing at Al’s Lounge on River Drive in Davenport. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, she was a year behind me in high school, and everyone had a crush on her, including Jon!
Mother Mary looks her usual happy self! Dad was always a happy guy, so it balanced out.
After moving to Colorado, Pam eventually joined me, and we married. Here we are with my mom and dad, Mary Jane and Mort (yes, Morton Orton). Mom looks pleased, as always. She always hated her photographs because she would get this weird look on her face. Uptight maybe? Perhaps. I believe this photo was taken in our new home in Pinewood Springs just down the road from Estes Park in the Big Thompson Canyon. Notice my mutton chops are trimmed back as was my attempt at growing a beard. It should be noted that Pam made that suit for me.
The last photo was of us cutting the cake to celebrate our marriage. Less than a year later, Jon phoned me to go on the road with Silver Laughter. Touring and being apart took its toll on our relationship, and so we decided to split up and sell the house. If I owe anyone an amends, it is to this lady. I left her with all the responsibilities of selling the house and filing for divorce; a very immature and crummy thing to do to such a sweet young girl.
Here I am in the suit that Pam made for me.
My understanding is she remarried and was living in Colorado to a successful guy. If anyone deserved a great life, it was her. I have tried several times to track her down and make my apology with no luck.
Mick Orton
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