Looking Back at June 1967

On June 3, 1967, the number one hit was Aretha Franklin's Respect written by Otis Redding and first released by Otis Redding in 1965.  It became the signature song for R&B singer Aretha Franklin.  The day before, the Beatles released their LP Sergeant Peppers' Lonely Hearts Band.  Although at that time I did not quite understand the conflict, the Six Day War between Israel and Egypt, Syria and Jordan began on June 5 and ended on June 10.

I was working at Big Bear Supermarkets in Circleville, Ohio overly concerned about the draft and the growing conflict in Vietnam.  Little did I realized in less than a year I would be there. My boss tried to convince me to get into the Reserve or National Guard so I could remain home and continue to work.  I also was still contemplating on continuing my education but I guess my destiny was to serve my country which I have never had any regrets as I also continued my education while serving in the United States Army.



On June 13, President Johnson nominated Thurgood Marshall to become the first black Supreme Court Justice while the top 5 songs respectively were (1) Respect/Aretha Franklin (2) Groovin'/Young Rascals (3) I Got Rhythm/The Happenings (4) Release Me (and Let Me Love Again)/Engelbert Humperdinck (5) Him or Me - What's It Gonna Be?/Paul Revere & The Raiders.

With the Vietnam War  continuing to escalate I recall the verdict of Muhammad Ali  on June 20 who was convicted in Houston of violating Selective Service laws by refusing to be drafted but The U.S. Supreme Court later overturned the conviction.

June 29, as the month closed out, Jayne Mansfield, one of the most beautiful sex symbols during the 60s, perished with two others as their car they were traveling in slammed into the back of a tractor trailer rig.

The number one hit as the month closed was Groovin' by the Young Rascals.

You can visit me on my website The 60s Official Site, the largest and most visited 60s site on the web.  Also enjoy Neal Stevens exclusively on my site with his monthly show Soundtrack of the 60s as he plays the most popular songs from the current month of a 60s decade year.  This month June 67.

I Remember March 1965 - It Was Cold

Looking back at March 1965 I recall the entire month was cold in my town of Circleville, Ohio.  As I sit here on my computer, today is March 5 and the temperature in Carrollton TX will reach 74 but on March 5, 1965 the high temp was 55 and in Circleville, Ohio it was 33 with a low of 22.

I was a high school junior back then and most of us walked to school.  Buses did not bus as many students back then as they do today.  It was definitely a brisk and cold walk to Circleville High School during the month of March. 

The civil rights demonstrations were in full swing back then and I recall seeing on TV Some 200 Alabama State Troopers clash with 525 civil rights demonstrators in Selma, Alabama.  I probably didn't understand it so much back then but it still shocked me.  Also around the same time we sent our first combat troops to Vietnam while the radio was playing the number one song "My Girl" by The Temptations.  It was the beginning of uneasy times of the 60s decade.

Still my world was the small town of Circleville as it was with the majority of students in my high school.  Spring was coming and shenanigans were in the horizon as soon as the weather breaks.  It turns out that the entire month of March 1965 remained cold and the warm weather will not arrive until next month when jockey straps will once again be raised on the flag pole on the football field.

The number one songs for the month of March 1965 including "My Girl" were "Eight Days a Week" and "Stop in the Name of Love."   You can listen to the most popular songs on the radio at the time on Soundtrack of the 60s where Neal Stevens plays the most popular songs from that month and recalls the times of March 1965.

Dirt Roads

Throughout my youth, I had traveled many dirt roads and paths. Many were the most pleasant experiences of my life and some well, I would rather like to forget. The problem today with our society is that those dirt roads and paths have disappeared except perhaps in national parks and a few rural areas. I just rediscovered an old article written by the late great Paul Harvey. He describes the old dirt roads like nobody else. Enjoy.

Dirt Roads

By Paul Harvey

People that live at the end of Dirt Roads learn early on that life is a bumpy ride. That it can jar you right down to your teeth, but sometimes its worth it, if at the end is a home....a loving spouse, happy kids and a dog.

We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system if our kids got exercise walking a Dirt Road with other kids, with whom they learn to get along. There was less crime before they were paved. Criminals did not walk two dusty miles to rob or rape, if they knew they would by 5 barking dogs and a double barrel shotgun.

There were no drive by shootings. Our values were better when our roads were worse!

People did not worship their cars more than their kids, and motorists were more courteous, they didn't tailgate by riding the bumper or the guy in front would choke you with the dust and bust your windshield with rocks.

Dirt Roads taught patience.

Dirt Roads were environmentally friendly, you didn't hop in your car for a quart of milk you just walked to the barn for your milk. For your mail you walked to your mailbox.

What if it rained and the Dirt Road washed out? That was the best part, then you stayed home and had some family time, roasted marshmallows, and popped popcorn, and road on Daddy's shoulders and learned how to make prettier quilts than anybody.

At the end of Dirt Roads, you soon learned that bad words tasted like soap.

Most paved roads lead to trouble, Dirt Roads more likely lead to a fishing creek or a swimming hole.

At the end of the Dirt Road, the only time we even locked our car was in August, because if we didn't some neighbor would fill it with too much zucchini.

At the end of the Dirt Road, there was always extra springtime income, from when city dudes would get stuck, and you'd have to hitch up a team and pull them out. Usually you got a dollar...always a new friend at the end of The Dirt Road!

Go back to the dirt roads of your youth by visiting The 60s Official Site.

Only 54 Years Ago

Many baby boomers remember the 50s. Many of us wereonly been kids. We probably heard our parents or grandparents make these remarks but these are actual facts in these statements from the year 1955, only 54 years ago. How time does fly!

'I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they
are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries
for $20.00.

'Have you seen the new cars coming out next year?
It won't belong before $2,000.00 will only buy a used one.

'If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit.
A quarter a pack is ridiculous.

'Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a
dime just to mail a letter.

'If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will
be able to hire outside help at the store.

'When I first started driving, who would have thought
gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we'd
be better off leaving the car in the garage.

'I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more.
Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying
DAMN in GONE WITH THE WIND, it seems every
new movie has either HELL or DAMN in it.

'I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's
possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the
century. They even have some fellows they call
astronauts preparing for it down in Texas.

'Did you see where some baseball player just signed
a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball?
It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making
more than the President.

'I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen
appliances would be electric.
They are even making electric typewriters now.

'It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see
where a few married women are having to work to
make ends meet.

'It won't be long before young couples are going to
have to hire someone to watch their kids so they
can both work.

'I'm afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open
the door to a whole lot of foreign business.

'Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the
Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes
wonder if we are electing the best people to congress.

'The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather,
but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.

'There is no sense going to Lincoln or Omaha anymore for
a weekend, it costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel.

'No one can afford to be sick anymore, at $35.00 a day
in the hospital it's too rich for my blood.'

'If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it.'

Visit me at 60s Official Site and my new site that just launched, 70s Official Site.

How True It Is

Another year has passed
And we're all a little older. Last summer felt hotter
And winter seems much colder.
I rack my brain for happy thoughts,
To put down on my pad,
But lots of things, That come to mind
Just make me kind of sad.
There was a time not long ago
When life was quite a blast.
Now I fully understand
About 'Living in the Past'.
We used to go to friends homes,
Baseball games and lunches.

Now we go to therapy, to hospitals,

And after-funeral brunches.

We used to have hangovers,
From parties that were gay.
Now we suffer body aches
An sleep the Night away.
We used to go out dining,
And couldn't get our fill.
Now we ask for doggie bags,
Come home and take a pill.
We used to travel often
To places near and far.
Now we get backaches

From riding in the car.
We used to go out shopping
For new clothing at the Mall
But, now we never bother...
All the sizes are too small.
That, my friend is how life is,
And now my tale is told.
So, enjoy each day and live it up...
Before you're too darn old!!

Join the rest of us old time baby boomers at the 60s Official Site

A Year Ago Today My Best After School Friend Died

Surfing through the web I discovered it has been a year ago today since by best after school friend of the 60s had died. Flippo the Clown was watched by children and adults alike from4:30 to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday on WBNS-TV in the Columbus, Ohio viewing area.

The Early Show as it was called wasn't your typical children only show but his humor and fun were enjoyed by adults as well. He incorporated magic, talk and of course showed a movie and cartoons, usually Popeye. The Little Rascal movies were also popular on his program.

At 4:30 the streets of Circleville, Ohio were deserted as we all were in our homes watching The Early Show. Back then I delivered the local newspaper right after school so I had to rush and get my route completed so I could find my place in front of our black and white TV and watch this central Ohio icon. Not only did my brother and sisters watch the show but my grandmother enjoyed him as well. His humor was clean but had an adult element to it that children picked up on. My mother would have fits because we would gobble our supper down to rush back in front of the TV. (We were not permitted to eat our meals in front of the TV as it is common today. Our meals were sit at the table with the entire family.)

Flippo's real name was Marvin Fishman, who's stage name was Bob Marvin. Marvin entered the Army right after graduating from high school. He served in Korea and came out of the Army as one of the youngest Tech Sergeants, age 20. When he returned home he attended Ohio State University where he studied music.

I remember him coming to our school in the 1960s where he gave one of his great performances and then stayed and made sure he autographed pictures for all that wanted one.

He always made himself available for worthy fund raisers for charity and special causes. Flippo was a gem and special friend to all of us during the 1960s and into the 1980s. For those of you who did not have the opportunity to meet him or watch him I really regret that. You missed the opportunity of meeting one of nicest gentlemen and entertainers.

My friend may be gone but his memory remains. He was a very big part of my childhood as I was growing up as he was to most of us in central Ohio during the 1960s. God! We sure could use some more Flippos in the world today. Rest well my friend. Thanks for the memories.

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