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Go60s

Welcome to the Groove! Whether you’re reliving the golden days or discovering them for the first time, this is your home for all things retro and real.

  • Event Planning and Execution The Altamont Free Concert on December 6, 1969, showed how wild things can get when planning goes out the window. The Rolling Stones had to switch venues twice, finally landing at Altamont Speedway – a barren…

  • Hugh Hefner's Vision and Preparation Leaving Esquire was a bold move for Hugh Hefner. He didn't just dive into the unknown; he cannonballed in with style. Hefner brainstormed on his kitchen table, envisioning not just a magazine but a cultural…

  • Origins of the Acid Tests Ken Kesey's journey into psychedelia began with his participation in MKUltra, a CIA-funded experiment where he sampled various mind-altering substances, notably LSD. This experience sparked his creativity, leading to the writing of "One Flew Over…

  • Background and Rise of Malcolm X Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, was a key figure in the 1960s civil rights movement. His early years were marked by tragedy, with his father, a preacher who embraced…

  • Apollo 11 Mission Overview Apollo 11's launch on July 16, 1969, kicked off an unforgettable journey. Atop a massive Saturn V rocket, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins blasted off to make history. The rocket's power could've lit up…

  • Background and Build-Up In the vibrant 1960s, America danced on the edge of change. The Vietnam War rumbled on, swallowing young lives. Teens marched for peace, their bell-bottoms swaying to the rhythm of protest. The civil rights movement roared through…

  • Arrival of the Volkswagen Beetle in America The Volkswagen Beetle first rolled onto American soil in January 1949, catching curious glances in New York. Ben Pon, a Dutch car dealer, brought these quirky machines to the U.S., facing an uphill…

  • Origins and Planning A. Philip Randolph set the stage for the 1963 March on Washington long before it happened. During World War II, he planned a march to highlight discrimination against Black soldiers and workers in defense jobs. This led…

  • Background and Context Picture America in the late '60s and early '70s—a land buzzing with change. The Vietnam War took center stage, flashing across TV screens nightly. President Nixon, elected in '68, promised to end the war. But in April…

  • Creation and Concept The Monkees TV show hit screens on September 12, 1966. Producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider dreamed it up, inspired by The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night. They wanted a show about a made-up band, mixing funny…

  • Controversy and Impact When CBS aired "The Dick Van Dyke Show" in 1961, it caused quite a stir. Mary Tyler Moore's character, Laura Petrie, shook things up with her capri pants instead of the typical TV housewife dresses. Procter &…

  • Historical Context In 1963, America stood on the precipice of change. Leave It to Beaver aired its final episode in June, marking a shift from the cozy world of Mayfield to an uncertain future. Just months later, President John F.…

  • Impact of The Beatles' Performance February 9, 1964, marked a golden moment on The Ed Sullivan Show, with The Beatles igniting a sonic revolution that transformed American music. Living rooms across the nation erupted with excitement as the Fab Four…

  • From the early days of Bakelite to the vibrant red plastic of the 1960s, the View-Master has journeyed through decades, capturing imaginations with its simple yet captivating design. It has become an integral part of childhood memories, standing as a…

  • The Factory's Origins and Evolution Andy Warhol's Factory was a wild ride from the start. Picture a place where creativity met chaos in 1960s New York. Initially on East 87th Street, Warhol found himself surrounded by inspiration and rebellion. Warhol…

  • Historical Context and Legislative Background The Civil Rights Act of 1964 marked a landmark moment in America's journey to equality. The Reconstruction Amendments laid early groundwork by: However, the South introduced Jim Crow laws, reintroducing segregation. Poll taxes and literacy…

  • Formation of Gypsy Suns and Rainbows For Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix assembled a new band called Gypsy Suns and Rainbows. This lineup included: This larger, more diverse group offered a broader sound than Hendrix's previous bands. The mix of African-American talents…

  • The Rise and Impact of Batman '66 "Zap! Pow! Wham!" When Adam West first donned the cape and cowl in 1966, Batman '66 exploded onto the scene like a batarang through a window. This colorful caper was more than just…

  • Origins of the Summer of Love The Summer of Love grew from the Beat Generation of the '50s. The Beatniks, with their jazz-inspired poetry and rebellion against post-war norms, laid the groundwork for something big. Folks like Allen Ginsberg and…

  • The Birth of Razzles: A Candy Revolution Razzles made quite a splash when they strutted onto the candy scene in 1966, courtesy of Fleer. A special treat that starts as a candy and transforms into gum—what a delicious double act!…

  • Lou Reed's Early Career Before Lou Reed became the street poet of rock, he was a student at Syracuse University, spinning records at the student radio station and dabbling in ROTC. Reed graduated in June 1964 with a B.A. in…

  • Inspiration and Invention Edward Craven Walker, an eccentric British inventor, stumbled upon inspiration in the unlikeliest of places—a pub counter. There, he spotted an egg timer made from a cocktail shaker filled with bubbling liquids. This odd sight sparked a…

  • Origins of Draft Card Burning Draft card burning flared into prominence when Catholic Worker activist David Miller set his draft card ablaze on October 15, 1965. This gutsy gesture against the U.S. government's war efforts violated the law banning such…

  • The Beatles' Transition By mid-1966, the Beatles felt trapped in Beatlemania's whirlwind. Performing to screaming audiences that drowned out their music wasn't cutting it anymore. They craved artistic freedom beyond concert stages and teen hysteria. Their sonic revolution began when…

  • Transformation of 'Respect' Aretha Franklin's "Respect" is a vibrant reinvention of Otis Redding's original. She flipped the script, turning a husband's homecoming anthem into a powerful statement of empowerment. Franklin's version demanded respect, speaking to women fighting for their place…