[Swede Girl]

This is wonderful. Sometimes it takes just that one person to take an interest in a cause or preservation of something.

It is great that he has taken on something for the good of history and a cause greater than himself instead of heading into a personal downward spiral as so many musicians and actors do.

In the mid 1950’s the Davy Crockett character was all the rage with kids due to the program on TV with Fess Parker. Every young boy had a coon skin hat and toy fortress with the soldiers and characters, etc. The Alamo history was brought to life when John Wayne made the movie.

I am so glad to learn that Mr. Collins is doing what he can to preserve this big part of American history.

[Between the Lines]

In the mid 1950’s the Davy Crockett character was all the rage with kids due to the program on TV with Fess Parker. Every young boy had a coon skin hat and toy fortress with the soldiers and characters, etc. The Alamo history was brought to life when John Wayne made the movie.

It seems Davy Crockett and Fess Parker were popular overseas also.

Collins said: "It's not that unusual for a man of my age, who grew up reading Davy Crockett."
It was actor Fess Parker who played Davy Crockett that lit the Lone Star fire for Collins, 58.
http://www.nme.com/news/oasis/36215

I found this too:

Foreword by Fess Parker and
Introduction by Phil Collins

Note: Fess Parker was born in Fort Worth.

[Alia]

In the mid 1950’s the Davy Crockett character was all the rage with kids due to the program on TV with Fess Parker. Every young boy had a coon skin hat and toy fortress with the soldiers and characters, etc

:) In the -very- early 60s.. I still have the photo of my brothers 'n me in our coon skin hats, our long rifles, hatchets, etc. We were in another country; and boy did we look strange playing out our childhood heroes and dramas. lol! I tended to get the optional parts like.. nurse, local native American Indian girl playing negotiator for a truce, and new character Annie Oakley. One photo has us all in pajamas and props..behind trees, shooting from the hip, etc. So, I think the Alamo stuff got sent to us for a Christmas.