I Was A Teenage Angel of Death

"Why can't I meet someone like you?... but not you?"

-Sarah Hue Hayes, 1955

"Teen Tragedy" songs were all the rage in the 1950's. Songs like Jody Reynolds' "Endless Sleep", Mark Dinning's "Teen Angel", Ray Peterson's "Tell Laura I Love Her", and J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers' cover of "Last Kiss", not only climbed the charts, but climbed into the hearts and minds of teenagers. One unrequited-lovestruck teenager, Robert Dwight "Buddy" Brown would compose a proto-Rock Opera that was "one big Teen Tragedy song." Buddy is the archetype of the cowlicked nerd. She is the girl-next-door. There is a greaser from the wrong side of the tracks. Buddy Brown spins a yarn that weaves from prose into song lyrics and back into prose and into lyrics again, composing a tapestry that is unique: I Was A Teenage Angel of Death, a rock opera without any music. Buddy Brown is hopelessly (and hopefully) in unrequited love with Sarah Sue, the girl-next-door, who is smitten with Johnny Angel, the greaser from the wrong side of the tracks. It is a tale as old as time... well as old as the 1950's anyway.

SIDE ALike it Was YesterdayThe Girl Next DoorThe Girl Next Door - Part 2Why Do Good Girls Love Bad Boys?Thank God! Good Girls Love Bad Boys!Daddy's Angel

SIDE B

The Wrong Side Of The TracksCheap CigarettesCheap Cigarettes (Reprise)Tear Stains On My ShoulderI Need Someone Like YouHeartache HangoverMorbid Angel

SIDE C

The Stairway To Heaven HopClass of '57Along At The PunchbowlWhen the Heart Begins To TalkThe Night of SurprisesOn That Fateful NightOne That Fateful Night - Part 2

SIDE D

The NoteDeath AngelHealing Does ComeLike It Was Yesterday (Reprise)

Trigger Warning: This story contains mentions of suicide. Please take care while reading. If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, please reach out for help.