Boy, does that bring back memories.
It was an amazing time to be alive. I don't think people who didn't live through it really understand its uniqueness, any more than we really understand the mood of the 20s. I'm sure each generation has its own zeitgeist, but I do think the 60s were special.
I sang my way through college with two guys a la Peter, Paul, and Mary, so I was mostly in the folk scene. When the university held a talent show, we brought the house down with a medley from Hair, ending with Let the Sun Shine In. It was all very exciting with lights and a big projected peace sign logo. I had a onepiece purple paisley- yes, purple paisley- outfit with giant bellbottom legs and flowing sleeves. All the other performers came out on the stage and joined in at the end.
I can remember going into RIchmond tothe VCU campus (much freer than my U of R which was still very proper). There was a park and always bands playing, and the smell of pot so strong, you got high just walking around. Everyone was friendly and happy. I have no memories of anything bad or angry or mean at those concerts.
The only bad memory I have was sitting around my boyfriend's apartment with all our friends the night of the draft. I can vividly remember playing Country Joe and the Fish while we listened. A couple of the guys later were drafted. Others went quickly into teaching or grad school. I remember had I been a guy I had number 363. That the futures of so many depended on numbers pulled from a fishbowl still makes me feel creeped out. |
