txt HAMPTON AVE Chronicles

Hampton Avenue Chronicles
By James Bafaro

A Nostalgic Literary Tour of South St. Louis

In Hampton Avenue Chronicles, former radio reporter James Bafaro invites readers on a heartfelt journey back to the 1960s and 70s. Centered around Hampton Avenue—the "spine" of his formative years—this memoir captures the essence of growing up in a classic South Side neighborhood.

Bafaro blends wit and candor to recreate the vivid sights, sounds, and sometimes "butchered" pronunciations of his childhood home on Goethe Avenue. From the rhythmic clinking of the neighborhood knife sharpener to the "nuclear-level" cussing of his father, the book is a treasure trove of "Southside sparkle" and quirky local lore.

• The "GroovyTech" Era: Relive the dawn of the 8-track tape, Dymo label makers, and the $200 handheld calculator.
• St. Louis Landmarks: Nostalgic trips to the St. Louis Arena (The Playground), Busch Memorial Stadium (The Fortress), and the debut of the Screamin’ Eagle at Six Flags.
• A "Year-by-Year" Soundtrack: A rhythmic look at the Summer of 1971 through the Top 40 hits of KXOK-AM.
• Life Lessons: Reflections on the influence of "Unforgettable" teachers, the sting of schoolyard bullying, and the enduring legacy of his "earnest" parents.

Whether you remember the giant revolving Vess Soda bottle or the smell of sautéed onions at the corner White Castle, Hampton Avenue Chronicles is an evocative homage to a simpler time. It is a "utilitarian hero" of a memoir that proves that while the places may change, the memories remain "cock" (70s-slang for cool) forever.