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To those of you who were young in the 60’s - was it really ‘swinging’?

(182 Posts)
Kandinsky Wed 17-Nov-21 08:55:46

I was born in 1963 so was only 7 by the end of the 60’s - but I love the music, fashion, & the sense of ‘freedom’ & change that came out of that era. There really doesn’t seem a decade like it in terms of excitement.
Was it really that good actually living through it?

Shinamae Thu 18-Nov-21 22:28:25

And L’berge ?) Coffee shop in Richmond, gosh this is bringing back some memories ?

Hetty58 Thu 18-Nov-21 23:15:25

I was a teenager and it was a brilliant time for me. A summer spent travelling around Europe with a girl I'd been to school with, leaving school (didn't like 6th form) then leaving a job at the library (didn't like that either). Drugs everywhere, overspending on rubbish fashion.

Next, starting college - well, sometimes I went - a weekend pub job and leaving home to live with my boyfriend. We were both spoilt and our fathers paid the bills - so much freedom, just playing at grown up life. We had the party place and there was always a crowd there - more at weekends - such happy times.

Dinahmo Thu 18-Nov-21 23:18:04

Wonderful reminiscences. I do think we were a lucky generation to be young in the sixties.

kittylester Fri 19-Nov-21 10:53:16

I agree dinahmo.

The groups and bands were very much more accessible- I went to lots of tours which had multiple acts on them and they can't have been expensive or I wouldn't have been able to afford it.

The groups used to perform at local cinemas in Derby and we used to hang around outside the back entrances to collect autographs. I was once pulled down from a drainpipe I was climbing trying to get to Paul Jones. I went out a few timeswith the young policeman who hauled me down.

Luckygirl3 Fri 19-Nov-21 11:48:49

I count myself very lucky to have been around and young and carefree in the 60s.

We had the absolute best of popular music -there has been nothing like it since. What young people get now is just pap in comparison. I have fond memories of dancing to the Moody Blues (live) with my OH in the Students' Union. Happy days.

grumppa Fri 19-Nov-21 12:35:55

I looked everywhere for the permissive society, but never found it. Never mind, I had my Françoise Hardy LPs.

AGAA4 Fri 19-Nov-21 12:38:53

grumppa

I looked everywhere for the permissive society, but never found it. Never mind, I had my Françoise Hardy LPs.

I don't think it was quite as permissive as people believe.

grumppa Fri 19-Nov-21 12:44:38

You’re telling me!

Calistemon Fri 19-Nov-21 13:04:12

Luckygirl3

I count myself very lucky to have been around and young and carefree in the 60s.

We had the absolute best of popular music -there has been nothing like it since. What young people get now is just pap in comparison. I have fond memories of dancing to the Moody Blues (live) with my OH in the Students' Union. Happy days.

They must have done the rounds of colleges - I remember them playing at the Rag Ball.
Their language was rather fruity off-stage and upset my strait-laced friend!

M0nica Fri 19-Nov-21 14:12:05

Top of the bill for us was Eric Burdon and The Anmals.

AGAA4 Fri 19-Nov-21 16:25:53

My cousin went to see a Rolling Stones concert. She was on the front row and was invited with a few other girls to meet the Stones in their dressing room.
My cousin was quite worldly but said she was shocked by them. She wouldn't tell me why because unlike her I was not worldly and younger than her.

Kate1949 Fri 19-Nov-21 16:52:58

AGAA4 I saw The Stones a couple of times in the '60s. We saw them once at Birmingham Odeon. We were quite near the front and Brian Jones did a wee into a Coca Cola bottle. I was 14 or 15 at the time and was a bit shocked that he made no attempt to hide his erm....modesty.

MissAdventure Fri 19-Nov-21 16:53:41

Oooh, how intriguing!

Shinamae Fri 19-Nov-21 17:03:19

Very glad indeed!!

Shinamae Fri 19-Nov-21 17:04:03

This!!

Shinamae Fri 19-Nov-21 17:04:31

Oh my God site playing up again..?‍♀️?‍♀️?‍♀️?‍♀️

Shinamae Fri 19-Nov-21 17:05:08

One more try..

Shinamae Fri 19-Nov-21 17:05:33

Bloody useless I give up!

Shinamae Sat 20-Nov-21 09:10:20

Finally!!

bobbydog24 Sun 21-Nov-21 08:28:42

Born in 1947 in Liverpool. Went to secretarial college at 15, the Cavern and various other clubs, saw the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers etc live. Absolutely loved it. You felt safe and happy and feared nothing. Married at 21, two children by 25. I look at the young ones now and feel so sad for them. Life seems so traumatic and full of angst. I’ve always thought the 60s was the most exiting decade, but then I’m probably biased.

Anniebach Sun 21-Nov-21 09:11:49

The excitement when J.F.K. Kennedy was elected President

The Cuban Missile Crisis.

J.F.K. Martin Luther King. Robert Kennedy. Malcolm X.
Assassinated .

Apollo 11.

Bob Dylan , Joan Baez.

Germanshepherdsmum Sun 21-Nov-21 10:45:09

Yes Annie we all remember where we were when we heard about JFK’s assassination don’t we? I was at home then at Brownies after tea where we were talking about it.

M0nica Sun 21-Nov-21 18:02:10

I was at university and the news (JFK being shot) came through as I was with a friend who was preparing for a winter ball (I was Cinderella) and I remember being glad that I wasn't going out that evening so I could sit in my room glued to my radio, keeping up with the news.

shinamae worth the effort.

Iam64 Sun 21-Nov-21 18:40:46

I was in a coffee bar when the news about JFK was heard. I didn’t understand it’s significance at that point but I soon did

silverlining48 Sun 21-Nov-21 18:45:08

I was 15 and at work in central London. On the train home it was obvious something terrible had happened,