Altamont Augie

Yesterday I received the book "Altamont Augie" from author Richard Barager.  I began reading it as soon as I opened the package and finished the novel this morning.  What a ride!!!  Being a Vietnam War veteran it awoke many forgotten memories of that time in history that many of us tried to forget. Nonetheless one of the best books about the sixties, Vietnam War, the culture and the events of that period of time.

The author succeeds in bringing to life  fictional characters woven into true life events during the turbulent sixties.  This story takes us through the battle of Khe Sahn in Vietnam to a Midwestern campus split between hate and support for the war. This story details the undying love between two college students who are so different  .  The roller coaster ride continues with each page you turn.  I could not put the book down and wanted more.

Definitely first rate and highly recommended.  A theatrical movie should be made from this book.  Thank you Richard for sharing this with me.

The Month is June 1964

School is out and as far as I was concerned summer had already started.  I had just finished my sophmore year of high school and summer vacation was here.  Baseball, foil ball, wiffle ball, pool time and hanging out with friends were going to lead to a great summer.

How was I to know that the month of June 1964, my favorite radio stations of WCOL of Columbus and WHK of Cleveland would be playing some of the best music of the year?  The month  kicked off on June 1st when The Rolling Stones arrived in the U.S. for their first American tour.  I remember them appearing on Hollywood Palace on June 13 which for that show was hosted by Dean Martin, and my mother saying how unkempt and diry looking the Stones were.  They still sounded great to me.  Also during the month of June the Beatles released their LP "A Hard Day's Night."  A great summer indeed!

The Senate passed the Civil Rights Bill on June 20, 1964 and later that month Jan & Dean released one of my favorites "Little Old Lady from Pasadena".  

Watching American Bandstand continued throughout the summer and on June 6th, Brenda Holloway performed "Every Little Bit Hurts."    I didn't have my driver's license because I was only 15 and only one friend had his so all us cruised in his 1950 Chevy.  Memories galore duirng June 1964.

Neal Stevens of Soundtrack of the 60s for the month of June is playing those great songs of June 1964.