I love the 60'

I love the sixties.

The 60's were a time of total change, success, and turmoil!

This decade saw the Vietnam wars, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Senator Robert Kennedy, Reverend Martin Luther King, the first man, John Glenn, to circle the moon.

In my school days, we would have discussion with our classmates on the pro and con of the Vietnam War and the bombing. Temper sometime flares up during the discussions. I remember we love to tease our Indian classmate, who is a strong supporter of America in the Vietnam War. Knowing he is such a strong American supporter, we would pretend to take the Vietnamese side and pushing a few right buttons, he would start ranting on the justification the American involvement in the Vietnam War. We would purposely provoked him till he would ignored us and call us idiots. Then we will burst out laughing.

The assassination of President John Kennedy sent shock waves to the world. Radio and the newspaper became our best friends. We would read the paper and listened to world news on the radio to keep abreast of the changing world. And who can forget Martin Luther King famous speech. It begins "I have a dream" and ends "free at last! Free at last!” In his speech he expressed his desire to "sit down at the table of brotherhood" for white and black to dissolve their differences and be at peace with each other. We have no internet then.

The Vietnam War, the cold war, fighting communism on home ground, riot in American cities, on college campus, anti war protest and racial discrimination gave changes socially and politically that would affect the lives on many today.

This decade also saw the explosion of pop music and many singing groups. Every evening we would tune in to hear Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, The Beatle, The Hollies, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Mamas and Papas, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd etc. over the radio.

Mum would always complained the music is either too loud or it is all screaming until one night. It was a cool quiet evening when the Beatles came on the radio and sang ‘Hey Jude’.

After the song, Mum asked, “Who sang that song, it is very nice.”

I was shock for a minute.

“The Beatle, lah”, I replied.

She looked up and said, “Oi, stop pulling my leg.”

“No, lah, it is true, the Beatle”, I replied.

“Wah, I did not know the Beatle can sing nice songs. This one got no shouting ‘yeah, yeah, yeah’”, she replied.

“Yeah, lah, I replied.

Ever since that day she never complain about our choice of music and actually learn to enjoy the pop music we listened to.

The Vietnam War saw antiwar protest and the peace movement was born. Many protest songs were written and sung condemning the Vietnam War. Today the songs are still with us. I do remember some of them – Blowing in the wind by written and sung by Bob Dylan, and Where Have All the Flowers Gone by Peter Seeger made popular by Peter, Paul and Mary. The peace movement gave birth to the hippies, the flower people. The hippies believed that through rock music, drugs and "free love" (sex), they could change the world. They had the innocence of children (and the drug-induced IQ of a teapot). They called themselves Flower Children. Their slogan was "Make love not war" and they took their message to military establishments all over America and Britain until the authorities banned them because of increased violence as soldiers fought each other over whose turn it was to beat up and/or make love to, a flower child.

Scott McKenzie’s song, San Francisco, became the hippies and peace movement anthem song.

“If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Francisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people there”

Till today I still love that song. I just love the tune.

Along with the hippies and flower power came changes in fashions. Today fashions include those of the 60’s; hippie’s hair style, high boots, pearly nail polish, pale lipstick, eyeliner and false eye lashes. Ah, who can forget the mini skirts?

Some of the mini skirt was 6 inches above knees and it send the red blooded man heart boom bang a bang.

Turtleneck was popular.

I remember my cousin wearing turtleneck on hot evening nights in the weekend when he goes partying with his friends. Dad used to think my cousin and his mates were a little cuckoo. But it was the in thing to do those days. Hey, who can forget the Bell Bottom Trouser, long pants flared out at the bottom? I heard they are coming back in fashion.

Who can forget the popular dance, ‘The Twist’, made famous by Chubby Checker.

The biggest invention of the 1960's was the computer and was one of the greatest inventions in history. It replaces the typewriter and can perform many more tasks. It allowed many great things for modern times. Internet, games, writing, calculation and music were added to the computer. The internet changed the world. Communication became easier via email and on line chat. Research and looking for information were simpler and easier today.

Medical technology was also on the rise. One unforgettable moment was Dr. Christian Barnard performed the first human heart transplant on a patient whom was suffering from heart disease.

Then there was Cassius Clay, who later changed his name to Mohammad Ali, the greatest boxer. His famous quote, "Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee", made him famous. Being quick and strong was the key to most of Ali's many victories.

There were so much happening in the 60’ and it is too numerous to list. I hope as I continue to blog I will continue to share this wonderful decade as it comes along. I am glad I have the opportunity to live the 60’s.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. Peace to you, brothers and sisters. Yes, I have a dream! I am still dreaming!