JFK Assassination

In my 60s Official Site newsletter I asked my subscribers where they were on November 22, 1963, when they received the news of President John F. Kennedy's assassination . The response was enormous as I continue to receive emails telling me where and what they remembered.  Each week since the first week of November I have published many of their memories. I even received one from a young man who was only one year old at the time so he asked his mother where was she when she received the news.  Emails from the UK and Canada were received also as many people world wide remembered just exactly where they were. It is so amazing after 50 years how well we all remember the exact place when we received the tragic news.

I too recall it vividly where I was and how my classmates of Circleville High School received the news.  I  was in Mrs. Wachs English class during my sophomore year in high school.  We actually were marched to the gymnasium for a basketball pep rally where we sat with our class.  The pep rally was unexpectedly interrupted  by our principal. He walked solemnly to the mike and announced the tragic news.  We were immediately dismissed and school did not resume until after Thanksgiving.

During that weekend after JFK's death I recall the rock 'n roll station we listened ceased to play rock music.  Classic music was substituted during that time in honor of our fallen president.  I just as countless other remained glued to our black 'n white TV set and watched the tears fall down my mother's face as John Kennedy Jr. saluted the flag draped coffin as it passed. 

It has been 50 years now and I will never forget that day.

Inside the Songs of the Sixties

I just finished reading Brian Forsythe's book Inside the Songs of the Sixties.  Through thorough research and interviews,  Brian Forsythe has mastered  the art of removing the fallacies, myths, and contradictions concerning the artists and music of the 60s. I found it to be a book not easy to put down once you began reading. It is loaded with facts and trivia concerning the artists and their music,  some  which you  have read before but so many more that you have not.  This book is a great reference for connoisseurs of the 60s and its music. It is now a definite reference for The 60s Official Site.

After reading Inside the Songs of the Sixties  I discovered that I didn't know as much as I thought I did about 60s music.  If there is any downside to the book, which is very minor, would be a need for a quick reference index broken down by artists or songs but I definitely highly recommend you grab this one.

You can purchase this book by clicking here.

My Review of the Book "The Isla Vista Crucible"

Approximately a week ago I finished reading "The Isla Vista Crucible" by author Reilly Ridgell.  The book's backdrop takes place during the school year 1969-1970 in Isla Vista, the student community next to the University of California.  It follows the lives of three college students during that time.

What I found interesting about this  book was its accurate portrayal of that tumultuous period of the baby boomer era which included the Vietnam War , rock 'n roll music, race relations, and student political activism. Mr Ridgell manages to keep the reader riveted to each page as he tells the story and background of each character and their involvement in the student community of Isla Vista.

Each chapter opens up with a new month of that time and what music albums were popular then which  I found  entertaining and reminiscence of the popular music of the time.  Mr Ridgell even  had the musical tracks correct as he weaves the music into the story line.  I have many of these LPs so I know he was right on.

This book does have detailed casual drug use which many of you may find offensive but it does not take away the content of a great read but only adds a reminder of the times.  I highly recommend you read this book.  You know I have never led my followers of The 60s Official Site wrong.

You can purchase the book on Amazon.  For your convenience here is the link:  http://www.amazon.com/Isla-Vista-Crucible-Reilly-Ridgell/dp/0983286167

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.

The Year is 1969 and the Month is January

Looking back to January 1969 with Vietnam going at full force with over 550,000 troops serving in the southeast Asian country, my most vivid memory was the Rose Bowl game played on January 1st.  The grand daddy of all bowl games featured #1 Ohio State against #2 University of Southern Cal with running back O.J, Simpson.  The Ohio State Buckeyes had Rex Kern at quarterback, a graduate from Lancaster High School of Lancaster, Ohio.  When the dust had settled the Trojans had five turnovers, two by Simpson, as the Buckeyes rolled over the Trojans 27-16.  Kern was named player of the game. 

On January 12, Super Bowl III was played and quarterback Joe Namath, predicted his Jets would defeat the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.  Namath lived up to his prediction as the Jets stunned the odds makers and the Colts 16-7.

The Top Ten TV shows for the 68-69 season were;

1. Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In

2. Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

3. Bonanza

4. Mayberry R.F.D.

5. Family Affair

6. Gunsmoke

7. Julia

8. The Dean Martin Show

9. Here's Lucy

10. The Beverly Hillbillies

 

The #1 song for the entire month of January 1969 was Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through the Grapevine. This great song with one of the best voices in Motown history actually spent 7 weeks at #1.  It peaked on December 14, 1968 and remained there throughout the remainder of December and  the month of January.

 

Other great songs from the month of January were:  Crimson and Clover/Tommy James & The Shondells, I'm Gonna Make you Love Me/Diana Ross & Supremes & The Temptations, B.J. Thomas' singing Hooked on a Feeling, Brooklyn Bridge's Worst that Could Happen and Elvis with If I Could Dream plus so many more outstanding sounds from the month of January 1969

 

On The 60s Official Site, on our monthly show  Soundtrack of the 60s, DJ Neal Stevens plays the popular songs from this month January 1969.  These are the songs you listened to on the radio back then.  You can listen to it now by clicking here.  This popular show and great music will remain on the website until February 1 when we will zoom back to another year with a featured month of February.

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.

Vibration of the Nation Continues - May 1968

This month I am looking back at the month and year of May 1968.  Do you recall what was going on in your life during that month and year?  It is very difficult to pinpoint exactly unless there was an event that was very memorable and you stored it away in your memory bank to be recalled whenever you like. 

I do recall the music and events that happened during that period.  The Vietnam War was at its highest point as more and more Americans disapproved of our involvement as protests continued across the country.  On May 10, Vietnam peace talks began in Paris between the U.S. and North Vietnam and we know what that went and the number one song across the nation was Bobby Goldsboro's "Honey."  The day following that Richard Harris released a song written by Jim Webb, "McArthur's Park."  To me that was a real dumb song but with a nice melody.

On May 14, the Beatles announce formation of Apple Corporation and on May 15 McCartney and Lennon appeared on Johnny Carson's Tonight's Show to promote Apple Records with Joe Garagiola as substitute host.  Do your remember that?

May 25, 1968 The Rolling Stones released "Jumpin Jack Flash" and the number one song of the week was "Tighten Up" by Archie Bell and The Dwells.

If you are a baseball fan of the San Diego Padres then you will be interested to know that the National League granted San Diego a franchise on May 28.

The music of that month was outstanding as was most of the music of the 60s era.  You can listen to the top songs being played on the radio during that month and year at Soundtrack of the 60s for this month only.  Neal Stevens, the DJ for The 60s Official Site spins them and gives you his insight on the music and of course the news of that month and year.

That wraps it up for this month, May 1968.

October 1961, Do You Remember The Times, The Music?

The month and year is October 1961.  As a baby boomer can you recall the headlines, the times, and of course the music of that month?

I remember watching Roger Maris on a black and white TV hitting his 61st home run of the season against pitcher Tracy Stallard of the Boston Red Sox on October 1st.  If you recall Roger Maris was cussed, his life  and his family's life threatened as he approached the milestone of breaking Babe Ruth's record.  Mickey Mantle was the love the fans and Maris suffered the entire season  as he approached breaking the record.  The number one song on The Billboard Hot 100 on that day was Bobby Vee's "Take Good Care of My Baby." 

Also one of the funniest TV Shows of that era began its debut on CBS on October 3, "The Dick Van Dyke Show." 

On October 6, 1961 President John F. Kennedy recommended all families  purchase or build a bomb shelter in case of a nuclear exchange between the Soviet Union and the U.S.  It was a very scary time we lived in then.  I was 12 and probably more interested in playing baseball, football and hanging out with my friends then to understand what was really going on besides I couldn't do anything about it.  To my friends and me,  it was a great time to be alive and we were so unaware of what was going on in the world as most kids of that age is today. 

And the joke of the year (Who is buried in Lenin's Tomb?) ended as Joseph Stalin's body was removed from Lenin's tomb where it was on public display on October 31. 

Why do I bring up October 1961 and the headlines and news of the month and year?  Every month The 60s Official Site looks back at the current month and a year of the 60s decade on The Soundtrack of the 60s, featuring DJ Neal Stevens where he spins the songs from the Billboard Charts of that month and gives you the insight scoop on the songs, headlines and more.  Join in on the fun each month as he spins the great songs of the era and takes your requests and dedications.

Do You Need A Fix?

If you love the great music from the 50s and 60s decade, then there is nothing like starting your day off with a oldies fix or boost.  On my site The 60s Official Site, I have added a daily 5-song medley of songs from the 50s and 60s decade to start your day off right.  Each day a new 5-song medley is posted for your listening enjoyment.  This great music is posted NLT 7:00 AM Easter Time Zone USA.  Enjoy and get your feet a tappin' and put a smile on your face as we look back at a more simpler time.  Here is the link so you can check it our for yourself :   http://www.the60sofficialsite.com/dailyoldiesfix/Daily-Oldies-Fix.html

Also, be sure to check out Soundtrack of the 60s as DJ Neal Stevens plays the hits you were listening to the current month of a year from the 60s decade.  You can hear this only on The 60s Official Site.

The Top 40 Songs of the 60s Decade Has Been Tabulated

For the past two months I have requested visitors to both of my 60s nostalgia sites (The 60s Official Site and Soundtrack of the 60s)  to vote on their five favorite songs of the sixties decade.  A tall order because there were so many great hits from the 60s.  I received thousands on thousands of votes and to make it interesting, those who voted were automatically entered to win prizes to be given away during the broadcast as DJ Neal Stevens counts them down from number 40 to number 1.  The results were mixed to say the least.  Listening habits and love for different songs change as we get older, at least it has for me.  Some songs I truly loved while in my teens, I don't care to hear and those that were not so popular I love to listen to.  Don't get me wrong I love the 60s music sounds.  It is just the taste of certain songs change over time.

Listed below are the Top 40 Songs of the 60s decade according to Billboard Magazine.  Their results are based on amount of time staying on the charts which of course was based on record sales.  These songs do not come close to the list the visitors to the most popular 60s site on the web voted.  Some songs listed are on the final countdown but not many.  Of course this list is based on time on the charts but time on charts were also an indicator of popularity of a song.  Tastes do change as we get older.  You can listen to DJ Neal Stevens countdown the Top 40 hits of the sixties decade based on our visitors voting.  Go to The 60s Official Site/Top 40 Hits of the 60s decade or Soundtrack of the 60s/Top 40 Hits of the 60s decade.

Billboard's Top 40 songs of the Sixties Decade

1.  Hey Jude/The Beatles

2.  The Theme from A Summer Place/Percy Faith

3.  Tossin' and Turnin'/Bobby Lewis

4.  I Want to Hold Your Hand/The Beatles

5.  I'm A Believer/The Monkees

6.  I Heard It Through the Grapevine/Marvin Gaye

7.  Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In/The 5th Dimension

8.  Are You Lonesome Tonight/Elvis Presley

9.  In the Year 2525/Zaeger and Evans

10. It's Now or Never/Elvis Presley

11. I Can't Stop Loving You/Ray Charles

12. Love is Blue/Paul Mauriat

13. Big Girls Don't Cry/The 4 Seasons

14. Big Bad John/Jimmy Dean

15. Sugar Shack/Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs

16. Honey/Bobby Goldsboro

17. To Sir with Love/LuLu

18. Cathy's Clown/Everly Brothers

19. People Got To Be Free/The Rascals

20. Get Back/The Beatles

21. The Ballad of the Green Berets/Ssgt Barry Sadler

22. Sherry/The 4 Seasons

23. Can't Buy Me Love/The Beatles

24. Sugar, Sugar/The Archies

25. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay/Ottis Redding

26. Honky Tonk Women/The Rolling Stones

27. Stuck on You/Elvis Presley

28. Roses Are Red (My Love)/Bobby Vinton

29. Daydream Believer/The Monkees

30. Everyday People/Sly & The Family Stone

31. Dizzy/Tommy Roe

32. Windy/The Association

33. Runaway/Del Shannon

34. He's So Fine/The Chiffons

35. Ode to Billy Joe/Bobbie Gentry

36. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction/The Rolling Stones

37. Dominique/The Singing Nun

38. There! I've Said it Again/Bobby Vinton

39. Somthin' Stupid/Nancy Sinatra & Frank Sinatra

40. Groovin'/The Young Rascals

Go to The 60s Official Site/Top 40 Hits of the 60s decade or Soundtrack of the 60s/Top 40 Hits of the 60s decade

The Top 40 Songs of the 60s Decade

What are your favorite songs of the 60s decade?  You can help decide The Top Forty Countdown by voting on your favorite five songs of the 60s decade.  Thousands have voted already and will have the opportunity to listen to the countdown by DJ Neal Stevens on Soundtrack of the 60s and win prizes. 

The 60s Official Site and Soundtrack of the 60s are sponsoring this great event along with Naxos of America, Inc. Beginning Memorial Day Weekend (May 28, 2010), the countdown begins.  By participating you can be eligible to win prizes ranging from music CDs from this great era, books about the 60s decade and other prizes.  The big prize will be Naxos of America Inc. "British Invasion DVD series Volume 1 that was released on March 23, 2010.  The series was originally released solely in Britain in 2009, where it has achieved both rave reviews as well as high sales numbers. Some of the British music press dubbed the set a one of 2009’s best releases.  You can actually win this great volume of music but you need to vote and then listen to the countdown beginning May 28.  It will be on line beginning May 28 and remain there for a limited time so don't miss out.

You can take time to vote by clicking here.  Once you have voted you are eligible to win one or more prizes being drawn during the broadcast. 

Don't miss this great event only on The 60s Official Site and Soundtrack of the 60s.

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.

1969, The End of a Decade

Where have the 60s gone? 1969 ended one of the most remarkable decades in history. Many historians agree that the 60s were one of the most innovative, turbulent, and rebellious decade in modern history but a great era to have lived.

At The 60s Official Site we are looking back to the year 1969 all month. During the year 1969, the news headlines were loaded with Vietnam War details including the My Lai massacre. The big story of the year was man setting foot on the moon and of course Woodstock. Also plastered across the front page of most newspapers was the murder of Sharon Tate and six others by Charles Manson and his cult. Protests against the war were seen across the TV screen each and every night as the news anchors covered the war. Yes indeed the year 1969 ended as it started turbulent and rebellious.

The sixties decade produced some of the best music in rock history and the year 1969 was no exception. Artists such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Temptations, were all over the Billboard Charts.

Coming Friday August 21, 2009, a special presentation by DJ Larry Ravenswood who will countdown the top 100 hits of 1969. This countdown can only be heard on The 60s Official Site. Larry will take us from number 100 to number 1 based on the Billboard charts. In fact, you will feel the energy of the year 1969 by listening to this broadcast. DJ Larry Ravenswood will make you believe that 1969 just ended a day or so ago and he is counting down the biggest hits of the previous year. You don't want to miss this so book mark us and check out The 60s Official Site on Friday August 21, 2009 as we review the top 100 hits of 1969.

We bring the 60s back to life.

I Lost My Childhood Friend

I just received word that one of my childhood friends lost his battle with cancer. He was only 61 years old and still in the prime of his life. Looking back I can still see Bill with a beaming smile on his face. Although I don't recall much about Bill as he reached adulthood, I do remember the plans he always had and that was to have his own business. He did just that. He owned and operated Bill's Bike Shop in Circleville, Ohio.

I first met Bill in elementary school at Corwin Street. He always had a pleasant personality and I don't recall him ever having anything ill to say about any person. Bill was always a fantastic soul. Bill never cared about the background of anybody and always tried to be friends with everyone he met. Overall he was just a nice guy, a product of great parenting and growing up in a great town like Circleville.

As we moved into Junior High School we both were patrol boys for Mr. Chilcote, the toughest and meanest principal in the entire country, but Chilcote loved his patrol boys. Our job was to assist kids crossing the streets before and after school. We had a badge and everything. Man did we think we were cool!

In high school Bill and I had a few classes together but his personality and demeanor never changed. He was always the Bill I knew. He wore his hair crew cut or short, the same style forever, I think as I look back. It seems you always remember a person as they looked when they were young, especially if you haven't seen them in awhile.

On my website, The 60s Official Site, I used a silhouette of two persons from our 1966 yearbook and one of those persons I used to illustrate high school memories was my friend Bill. Click here to view the picture. I am not sure if he was aware, I even had the website or that is picture was there. Now it is my tribute to Bill.

I know Bill's whole life centered around his wife Jill, whom I never met, the rest of his family, his Circleville friends and of course his bike shop.

The last time I spoke to Bill was about 7 years ago when I ran into him at the annual Pumpkin Show while home visiting my dad in the hospital. Bill was still Bill and I could have picked him out of a crowd. Bill never changed.

When he was diagnosed with multiple brain tumors, two classmates of ours John and Jim ran his business for him while he continued to fight for his survival. What a close knit friendship. Both men will continue to run the business until Jill determines what to do with Bill's Bike Shop.

The sad part is life is too short and if you never take the time to enjoy it with full gusto, it will slip away from you very quickly. You never know when you will be called home to your maker. Bill enjoyed life to the very end. I regret that I never took the time to keep up with old childhood friends, who after looking back were probably the best friends I ever had my entire life. It seems you never develop better friends then those you had while you were young.

The town of Circleville will surely miss Bill's smile, his friendliness and his devotion to his friends and family. I know I will miss him. Goodbye my friend.