A Walk Through the 60's and 70's

What it was like during these 10 years

I was born in 1952. This means I grew up in a very unique and important time.

Music was the heartbeat during this time and would never be complete without Elvis Presley. He actually began his career in the 1950’s. He was given the title of “The King of Rock and Roll,” in 1956 by an entertainment reporter named Robert Johnson. Elvis remained with that title until the day he died on August 16, 1977. I remember watching his “68” Comeback Special,” when it aired on December 3rd of that year. Elvis had “left the building” for a few years, but came back to the stage that night, with much ease, and a brand new look, which I loved.

Next came the Beatles, who came together in Liverpool, England. They landed on American soil for the first time on February 7, 1964, and Ed Sullivan introduced them to the USA from his show on February 9, 1964. This launched “Beatlemania” in the USA, and was the start of the British invasion. This also marked the psychedelic era. The Beatle’s popularity lasted through that generation.
In 1969, came Woodstock and sealed the roll of music as a movement where 500,000 hippies united on a dairy farm owned by Max Yasgur, in Bethel, NY. This festival was originally planned to be in Woodstock, NY, but was moved to the 600 acre farm because of problems with the original planned site. Woodstock is one of the most famous music festivals in history.

We will never forget the Vietnam War. I lost a few good friends to this, “so called war,” even though it was never declared a war, it was devastating. The music played an important part during this time. Songs like, “Fortunate Son,” written by John Fogerty, and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” written by Pete Seeger brought messages for peace. It came to be known as the decade of sit-ins and love-ins.

Fashions changed, and the well known bell bottoms, tie-dye t-shirts with symbols of peace, and boots for boot legged jeans were born, and to this day are still in style. Being in my 70s, I still wear them all. I guess you could call me one of those old hippies.

Yes, we cheered for Elvis, screamed for that British group called the Beatles. We marched for love (not war) and for peace. These 10 years reflected our struggles, our hopes and our joys of a new generation eager to write the true story as it was. It is the time I grew up in, and a time I will never forget.

This was not a story, but was a real time for me, and I felt the need to write it.