We can chart these changes in the music of the decade. In 1960 the big hits were by Elvis, Connie Francis, and the Everly Brothers. These were the sweet, teenage love songs that teens danced to and made out on lover's lane to. The lyrics were important to the listener, no doubt, but the subject was invariably love in all of its variations and dramatic turns.
In 1962 musical events were happening that would become very important very quickly. A premier album by a young folksinger named Bob Dylan was released. In Hamburg, Germany, the Beatles were learning their craft at the Star Club and their way around a recording studio as a backup band before recording on their own. The Rolling Stones were fully formed and took up their first resident gig at the Marquee Club in soon to be swinging London.
By the middle of the decade, drastic changes were apparent. Dylan had moved past his folkie phase and into electric music, the Beatles were experimenting with new sounds and lifestyles, and the Stones were growing in stature by leaps and bounds. On the west and east coasts of America, things were evolving in the music world as well. Fueled by new attitudes of freedom, rebellion against the old ways, infusions from all kinds of genres of music, and experimentation with psychedelics, the music scene exploded with novelty, pushing all of the former boundaries.
Within 2 short years, the summer of love would come and go, and with it some of the most famous and best rock albums of all time came into being and into the public consciousness. The Doors' first LP, Sgt. Pepper by The Beatles, the Jimi Hendrix Experience's first 2 records, Janis Joplin's debut, Jefferson Airplane's groundbreaking and hitmaking Surrealistic Pillow - all of these and many more still define counterculture for millions of listeners. By the time the end of the decade and Woodstock rolled around, the masterpieces of classic rock had been created, and it remains an important genre today so today.
Can You Define Counter Culture In Other Examples?
Elias - Another great book about these times and what happened afterwards over time is The Aquarian Conspiracy by Marilyn Ferguson. If you haven't read it, check it out.
Jim
Thanks for your comment, Elias!
Great post, I love this era! I think Roszak's book was highly influential at the time even though he was exaggerating a bit!!
I think we grew up during the most interesting time in history. I recently asked a friend of mine, "Where did all the hippies go?" She replied, " They're at the pharmacy getting their arthritis medication." lol
Funny thing, people who know me really well often refer to me as hippie or flower child, while I like the fashion, wear my hair long and natural, which is long curly and red. I even have hip hugger bell bottoms, their retro bought them new at American Eagle. I too love the music of the 60s, It was a bit before my time but love Love LOVE the many pioneers of great music from this era. Sweet Van, I'd drive one now, just like it if I had it. :)K
Thanks, Mira!
I love the music of the 1960s, and much of the spirit of those times. Your article prompted me to search for more YouTube videos :-)
I appreciate your comments, sheilamarie. It is one of the great paradoxes of our time that the whole co-opting of the counterculture happened so fast - I still remember how shocked and disappointed I was in the early 70s at how quickly things had changed. What was important for a time (long hair, for example) became superficial nonsense used to sell stuff - nowadays I'm still shocked when I hear White Rabbit in the grocery store. And the whole topic of drug use is a real can of worms - ever heard/seen Bill Hicks?
Much good came of the movement (holistic healing, New Age spirituality, women's rights, and so on) but obviously a lot of things went haywire too. I do love Jerry Garcia's comment - and you can bet he was there in the thick of things - that for a brief moment it was like a door opening on a new world, and then slamming shut. He knew that there were problems born in that time, but that somehow it might have been worth the negatives for the good that came of it.
Anyway, keep on truckin' and thanks again!
Jim
As another person who grew up during the 60's and 70's, I am amazed at how many people of our generation so quickly accepted consumerism and the trappings of prosperity as their due during the the 1980's til now. Yes, you see lawyers with pony tails, but how many of those lawyers are adding to the materialistic culture we now have?
There may be some benefits society has seen from those years, but the consequences of the 60's have not been all good. Where are all those lovers of peace in our militaristic world? And I don't see that "recreational" drug use has done anything positive for people's lives.
The fact that the music is still played even by the young gives tribute to its staying power, though.