I Remember October 1968
Looking back to October 1968 the one event that remains etched in my mind is the Detroit Tigers defeating the St Louis Cardinals 4 games to 3 in the World Series. Also the Vietnam war waged on as I was there in Phu Bai, RVN when Armed Forces Radio carried the news that because of progress in the Paris peace talks, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced to the nation that he has ordered a complete cessation of "all air, naval, and artillery bombardment of North Vietnam" effective November 1. Perhaps the war's end was in sight and we could come home and now we know it lasted another 5 years.
The Olympics were being held in Mexico City and black American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise their arms in a black power salute after winning, respectively, the gold and bronze medals in the Olympic men's 200 meters.
It was a very trying time where violent protests of the Vietnam War were being waged as young men were dying in Vietnam but also there were positive happenings as well. Apollo program: NASA launches Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission (Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, Walter Cunningham). Mission goals include the first live television broadcast from orbit and testing the lunar module docking maneuver.
The music of the era was beginning to change to a more heavy guitar influenced rock. During October of 1968, the top songs of the month were: Hey Jude by the Beatles, Fire by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, People Got to be Free by The Rascals, Hush by Deep Purple, Time Has Come Today by the Chamber Brothers and Midnight Confessions by The Grass Roots. Hey Jude was to become the top hit for the entire 60s decade. The song credit to Lennon-McCartney. The song evolved what was suppose to be Hey Jules to comfort Lennon's son during his parents divorce. This classic hit from the Beatles actually was released in August 1968 and remained at #1 for nine weeks. It was the first single recorded on the Beatles' Apple Label.
You can listen to the best of October 1968 by checking out Soundtrack of the 60s. Each month Neal spins the best of the current month and a year from the 60s decade plus your requests and dedications.
The Olympics were being held in Mexico City and black American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise their arms in a black power salute after winning, respectively, the gold and bronze medals in the Olympic men's 200 meters.
It was a very trying time where violent protests of the Vietnam War were being waged as young men were dying in Vietnam but also there were positive happenings as well. Apollo program: NASA launches Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission (Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, Walter Cunningham). Mission goals include the first live television broadcast from orbit and testing the lunar module docking maneuver.
The music of the era was beginning to change to a more heavy guitar influenced rock. During October of 1968, the top songs of the month were: Hey Jude by the Beatles, Fire by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, People Got to be Free by The Rascals, Hush by Deep Purple, Time Has Come Today by the Chamber Brothers and Midnight Confessions by The Grass Roots. Hey Jude was to become the top hit for the entire 60s decade. The song credit to Lennon-McCartney. The song evolved what was suppose to be Hey Jules to comfort Lennon's son during his parents divorce. This classic hit from the Beatles actually was released in August 1968 and remained at #1 for nine weeks. It was the first single recorded on the Beatles' Apple Label.
You can listen to the best of October 1968 by checking out Soundtrack of the 60s. Each month Neal spins the best of the current month and a year from the 60s decade plus your requests and dedications.
Labels: 60s, Neal Stevens. soundtrack of the 60s, October 1968, The 60s Official Site
posted by Carl Hoffman @ 4:36 AM
3 Comments:
At 4:24 PM,
MIKE MEYER said…
1968, IN VIET NAM, LISTNING TO THE "CHRISS NOEL SHOW", GO PHASE 1,,,,,,THEME SONG, "LOVE IS BLUE".
SO LONG AGO AND STILL SO FRESH.
At 5:36 AM,
John Simmons said…
'68 in Vietnam. I was also at Camp Eagle outside Phu Bai with division PIO. Scattered memories...Hootches, Gen Zais, "All the way, sir" and incoming 122mm rockets.
At 11:34 PM,
Fred Birchmore said…
1968, offshore Quang Tri Province, near DMZ. Rewiring broken gun mount wiring,in the rain,via flashlight. At midnight, 3rd Marines onshore firebases sent up red, green, white parachute flares to make a Christmas tree skyshow. Pretty, but wrong angle for my view. My guys brought me strong "coffee" and sang carols, in the rain.
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