Sixties Music in the Prism of the Media
Copyright © 2015
Life and music in the sixties – what were they like?
What were the most important events of the sixties and how did they influence the music?
Did the media portray an ‘objective’ look at the sixties and its music?
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In the early sixties, singles (45s, introduced by RCA Victor in 1949) were generallly more important.
As the sixties progressed, the so called LPs (long-playing, introduced by Capitol Records in 1948) started to gain prominence.
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Lots of money was to be made from selling music sheets and books.
This after all, was the era before photocopying became common, and long before the internet.
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Listening to the radio on the go became possible because of the popularization of the transistor radio.
Made in Japan was initially derogatory.
My first portable radio was TERRIBLE.
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Sixties inventions included the halogen lamp, cassettes, artificial hearts, CDs, milk substitute.
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Inventions and New Products from 1950 to 1979. Sixties inventions from 2:55.
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Elvis Presley fell victim to some poor career choices.
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Viva Las Vegas Official Trailer #1 – Elvis Presley Movie (1964) HD
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In 1960 most pop songs were written by professional song writers in places like the Brill Building, by songwriters such as King/Goffin and Lieber/Stoller.
John Lennon “Stand By Me”
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The cold war was as America’s doorstep.
How The Cold War Happened (in 4 minutes)
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Soviet Russia was pictured in a negative light.
Somewhere, My Love (Lara’s Theme)
The late Maurice Jarre’s theme from David Lean’s film of Boris Pasternak’s “Doctor Zhivago” (1965) performed by the 101 Strings Orchestra.
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Who really killed Kennedy?
Hi quality footage of JFK Assassination
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The Vietnam War grew in proportions and with it the protests and outrage. Sparking fierce protest songs
Phil Ochs – White Boots Marching In A Yellow Land (1965 Demo)
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Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Ohio 1970 Kent State University
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Did Country Joe and the Fish think that this song could stop the war?
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WOODSTOCK 1969. NEXT STOP IS VIET NAM. Watch from 1:58
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The Sixties were about equality for African Americans
Martin Luther King, Jr. I Have A Dream Speech
1:23
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“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” – Martin Luther King
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“We Shall Overcome” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
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How many integrated sixties bands can you name? How many do we talk about in the course?
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There were riots across America, for example Detroit 1967
To help end the disturbance, Governor George W. Romney ordered the Michigan National Guard into Detroit, and President Lyndon B. Johnson sent in Army troops. The result was 43 dead, 467 injured, over 7,200 arrests, and more than 2,000 buildings destroyed.
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Detroit 1967 – Gordon Lightfoot – Black Day in July
When at the same time, thousands of miles away…
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Sixties and Race on TV – Just my Theory
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But the guy who actually claimed to have written the twist was….
Hank Ballard – The Twist
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Hank Ballard on “To Tell the Truth” (November 13, 1961)
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TV:
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THE MOVIES, MOVIES BASED ON MUSICALS AND MORE
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West Side Story, 1961 (movie) – music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and choreography by Jerome Robbins – supercut with new version!
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Songs from movies and the theater were a good basis for jazz musicians to improvise:
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and I Like to be in America….
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West Side Story, 1961 (movie) – music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and choreography by Jerome Robbins
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Compare with this great ‘clashing of cultures’ scene from Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the roof – Lechaim (with subtitles)
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And in Hebrew…
Fiddler on the roof – Hebrew Ver.
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Jazz improvisation by Coltrane:
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We remember a few of the themes: James Bond 007 – Monty Norman
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The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
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The Beatles Made a lot of Movies
Help!
A hard day’s night
Magical Mystery Tour
Yellow Submarine
Let it be
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The Beatles Help! The Trailer
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A Hard Days Night Trailer
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The Beatles – “Let It Be” Trailer
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Compare with the recent documentary: Get Back
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Other famous movies with songs: The Graduate
The Graduate – Trailer – HQ
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Midnight Cowboy
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Hair – war, peace, drugs, sex, integration, love (movie 1979)
Hair Trailer
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Integration and Tolerance from 1:13 (and have a look at the technologies that haven’t changed since 1968).
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Lots of movies were made about the sixties
GOOD MORNING VIETNAM Original 1987 Trailer Robin Williams
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And you can listen to the playlist of Forrest Gump. the soundtrack includes songs from Elvis Presley, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Three Dog Night, The Byrds, The Doors, The Mamas & the Papas, The Doobie Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Seger, and Buffalo Springfield among others.
And here is the video playlist.
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Published: Dec 2, 2015
Latest Revision: Dec 11, 2016
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Copyright © 2015
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