A Brief History
On January 14, 1967, San Francisco saw the iconic counter-culture event “The Human Be-In.”
Digging Deeper
Digging deeper, we find the gathering, the brainchild of Michael Bowen, at Golden Gate Park.
An evolution of 1950’s “beat-niks,” “the hippies” and “flower children” of the 1960s were looking for something other than the answers main stream America gave them, and they flocked to San Francisco, the Mecca of counter-culture.
The Human Be-In became the inspiration for the musical play Hair, which of course celebrated the shift from men and boys having short hair to the (at the time) controversial long hair that became emblematic of that era.
This era was also the time and place Timothy Leary, an unofficial spokesman of the hippie movement, uttered his immortal words, “turn on, tune in, drop out,” which to the consternation of many parents of college students was taken quite literally.
If long hair and dropping out of college were not enough, the older generations, especially the parents of girls, were further driven to distraction by the concept of “free love,” sex with whomever, whenever and wherever you want! Another major difference of opinion (and the law) was the use of illegal drugs, especially marijuana and LSD.
Although other cities saw their young adults and teens celebrate the “Summer of Love,” the heart and soul of the movement was in San Francisco, started by the 30,000 attendees of the Human Be-in. Other important events also took place in 1967, such as the Monterey Pop Festival, memorialized by The Animals’ song “Monterey.”
Probably the most iconic and symbolic song of the Summer of Love was sung by Scott Mckenzie (“San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers In Your Hair).”)
The Human Be-in kicked off a year in which so many lives would be forever changed; some did not continue their studies or pursue academic careers; others got a criminal record for drug use; and a few were left with venereal diseases such as herpes, the result of “free love.”
On the other hand, the anti-war sentiment helped end the war in Viet Nam sooner than it would have without the influence of “flower power,” and certainly many people were redirected to their true calling by the messages of peace, love and disregard for material wealth. Peace, brothers and sisters!
Question for students (and subscribers): Do you think protest concerts are effective? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information on this event and this era, please see:
Anthony, Gene. Magic of the Sixties. Gibbs Smith, 2004.
Anthony, Gene and Michael McClure. Summer of Love: Haight-Ashbury at its Highest. Last Gasp, 1995.
And just for fun…
Forman, Milos, dir. Hair. 20th Century Fox, 2011. Blu-ray.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="1024 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=1024">46 Comments
Dear readers, what (if you have one) is you favorite song of the 1960s? Sincerely, Dr. Zarzeczny
“With A LIttle Help From My Friends” — The Beatles
A Whiter Shade of Pale
Way too hard to decide but Ramble On by Led Zeppelin is up there.
My favorite song has to be “All from the watch tower” because Jimi Hendrix is amazing.
Dear James,
Oddly enough, that song makes me think of Battlestar Galactica: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1__dINxiXU
Sincerely,
Dr. Zarzeczny
This period of time continues to effect even my generation very evidently. Had I been born into the 40s or 50s, I’d imagine my favorite songs would have been by Elvis, but I could never choose just one!
Just 1 song? You’re talking to a musician whose inspiration is the 60s and 70s. Give me anything Beatles or Hendrix. I know all about the hippie movement because it’s a bit of my life, and I’ve got the hair to prove it. Music festivals are my favorite summer activity, and I meet the real hippies there.
There are so many fantastic songs from the 60’s! One of my favorites is My Girl by The Temptations
Dear Kristy,
If you like “My Girl,” I encourage you to also read http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-men-with-soul.php and of course watch and listen to the videos as you progress down the list. It makes for quite the historical musical experience! 🙂
Sincerely,
Dr. Zarzeczny
Uhhhhm, I don’t know, tough choice. Probably something by the Beatles. I’ll second CFranks choice I suppose
All Along the Watchtower- Jimi Hendrix
Definitely The Supremes “Where did our Love Go”.
My favorite song of the 1960’s would have to be “Stop in the Name of Love.”
My favorite would be “Ring Of Fire” by Johnny Cash.
it’s hard to pick just one song. But I have to say Fortunate One by Creedence Clearwater revival (CCR)
It’s
hard to just pick one song. A lot of the songs that I liked from the 60’s I
performed while in high school marching band. Some of my favorite songs would
be “Gimme some Lovin’”, I want to hold your hand”, “satisfaction”. My all-time
favorite because it is in my favorite movie and I liked to play it on the
saxophone when I was in pep band, would be “Respect”.
The 60’s had a lot of new sounds, I can’t say that I have 1 particular favorite. I will name a few that I like though, Hey Jude- The Beatles, Magic Carpet Ride- Steppenwolf, The Twist- Chubby Checker, You’ve lost that Loving Feeling- The Righteous Brothers.
I don’t actually listen to much music from the 60s, but if I would have to pick a song I think it would be My Girl as well. Also, I think it is interesting how certain movements in history inspired certain songs and styles of music.
My favorite song from the 1960’s is respect by Aretha Franklin.
I don’t listen to much 60s music, but I do like Ring of Fire and My Girl.
Hard to pick just one! But i love, “It Ain’t Me Babe” by Johnny Cash and June Carter.
Anything from the Beatles is worth listening to. The 60’s had a lot of fly by night artists, but the Beatles were a constant mainstay. I used to sing “My Girl” to my daughter when she was young. It seemed to calm her down.
I do not really listen to much music from the 60’s unless in the car with my mother or father. I tend to only listen to country and nothing other than that. I do like “Ring of Fire,” but that is about it.
My favorite song from the 60’s would have to be My Girl by The Temptations because you don’t really hear love songs like that anymore and I just like the overall sound of the music.
I don’t really listen to songs from the 1960s. They don’t really pull my interest. I’m more of the 1990s era type of song.
Here Comes the Sun – Beatles
“Hey Jude” by The Beatles
I dont know any songs from then.
My favorite is here comes the sun!
Hey Jude by The Beatles! Naaa na na nananaaaaa
im not familiar with any song at that time
the time they are a changing, bob dylan !
Johnny Cash- Ring Of Fire.
Ring of fire – Johnny Cash for sure is one of my fav from the 60’s
ring of fire-johnny cash
Subterranean Homesick Blues by Bob Dylan
This era upset me greatly when it was happening and reading about it now still upsets me. So many lives were ruined by this movement.
The 60s are coming back!
i dont have a fav. song but peace love and rock and roll man
“My Girl” by The Temptations
That’s a hard one being a musician and music lover, If I was to decide three it would be The Doors – People are Strange, The Animals – It’s My Life, and The Beatles – Day In the Life.
“Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash
Isley Brothers – Twist and Shout
“Be My Baby” by the Ronettes
I thought this was pretty interesting. Its crazy to think how generations change over time and how people change as they get older. I know my grandma isn’t like that now, but i could see her doing some crazy things in the 60s. Its cool how something like that can bring people together and help influence an end to a war.