Flower Power Creative Presents: Sounds & Scenes of the '60's

The theme of this trip through the '60's - a wave of sounds, colours, concepts, images and impressions - is music, peace and love.

The magic of the '60's lives on.

President Kennedy's inspiration of a new generation - around the world - is mirrored in the enthusiasm and determination ignited by President Obama now.

Martin Luther King's articulation of the rights of all people to live in freedom and justice is reflected most dramatically - in today's world - in the heroism and triumph of Nelson Mandela.

The Beatles were the vanguard of an astonishing kaleidoscope of creative expression and social liberation that arose in the  '60's and can still be discovered and experienced here and now.

Welcome to this celebration of a most extraordinary time.

 

PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY -  35TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

President Kennedy lit the torch of inspiration for a new generation around the world. He led the nation in times of hope (the Peace Corps / landing on the moon by 1969) and crisis (Berlin wall / Cuba missiles).

A World War II hero (PT 109 / 1943) and Pulitzer Prize winner ("Profiles in Courage" / 1955), he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1946 and the United States Senate in 1952 before winning the Presidency in 1960 - the youngest man to be elected President.

REV MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

The leading voice of black activists - through much of the '60's - for civil rights, human rights and justice, Rev. King's stirring "I Have a Dream" speech was the climax of the March on Washington - 28 August, 1963. His embrace of Mahatma Gandhi's principles of nonviolence (Satyagraha / "love force") led to his being the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1964.

A national holiday was established in his honour in 1986, celebrating his ideals and recognizing that he had sacrificed his life for freedom in 1968.

 

THE BEATLES

The Beatles  - John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr - were the musical, social and cultural leaders of a generation. Their arrival in America (Feb., 1964), soon after the loss of President Kennedy, rocketed them to worldwide fame and adulation.

While they reached their peak with "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (1967), their previous albums and 2 films - "A Hard Day's Night" (1964) and "Help" (1965) - set a standard that was never equaled in their genre.

The band achieved further success with Pop/Animated "Yellow Submarine" (1968) and "Abbey Road" (1969) before moving on as solo artists.

 

BOB DYLAN- The poet of a new generation, Dylan arose from the great American folk tradition of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. He made his way from Minnesota to the bustling folk scene of Greenwich Village in the early '60's. Following his debut album - "Bob Dylan" (1962) - his next 8 albums, from "Freewheeling'" (1963) to "Nashville Skyline" (1969), all went either Platinum or Gold. He created a sensation when he "went electric" in 1965 and with his double album, "Blonde on Blonde", in 1966.

Dylan has won Grammys, Golden Globe and Academy ("Oscar") Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was awarded a special citation for his impact on popular music and American culture by a Pulitzer Prize jury in 2008.

THE KINKS - Among the early British invasion groups, the Kinks - brothers Ray and Dave Davies, along with Pete Quaife and Mick Avory - were formed in London in 1963 and crashed the charts with "You Really Got Me" (reaching #1) in 1964. Numerous singles followed, including "Tired of Waiting for You" (1965/also to #1), "Set Me Free" (1965), "A Well Respected Man" (1965) and their final #1, "Sunny Afternoon" (1966). The Kinks reached their creative peak with their concept album "Arthur" in 1969.

THE YARDBIRDS - An English rock band, the Yardbirds launched the careers of three of rock's most famous guitarists - Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. Their blues-based sound evolved into experimental rock. Their string of hits included "For Your Love" (1965) "Over, Under, Sideways Down" (1966) and "Heart Full of Soul" (1965). The band went their separate ways in 1968. 

BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD - A short-lived but influential folk-rock group that served as a springboard for the careers of Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills & Nash/CSN & Young), Neil Young (Crosby Stills Nash & Young), Richie Furay (Poco) and Jim Messina (Loggins & Messina), their protest anthem "For What It's Worth" was released in 1966 and hit the Top 10 by the following March. Their second album - "Buffalo Springfield Again" - was released in late 1967 and included such hits as "Mr. Soul", "Rock and Roll Woman" and "Bluebird". The band dissolved after a final concert in 1968. 

THE TURTLES - Formed in 1965 by Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, The Turtles achieved breakthrough success with a cover of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me, Babe", which hit the Top 10 late that summer. Their only #1 - "Happy Together" - replaced the Beatles "Penny Lane" at the top in the spring of 1967. Among other hits, "She's My Girl" and "You Know What I Mean" both reached the Top 15 in '67, "Elanore", got to #6 in 1968 and "You Showed Me" ('69) also reached #6. 

CREAM - The Blues / Rock supergroup - Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker - have sold over 35 million albums worldwide. Their monster hits included "I Feel Free" (1966), "Strange Brew" (1967), "Sunshine of Your love" (1968), "Spoonful" (1968), "White Room" (1969) and "Badge" - with George Harrison - (1969). The band mixed blues, hard rock and psychedelic rock. Their final album - "Goodbye" - was recorded in late 1968 and released - after the band had gone their separate ways - in early 1969. 

THE DOORS - Jim Morrison - the group's vocalist - was, like Dylan, a great poet of his times. His wild behaviour - on stage and off -  led to considerable controversy. The Doors have sold over 32 million albums in the U.S. alone, including such hits as "Break On Through (To The Other Side)" "Light My Fire", "People are Strange", "Love Me Two Times" (all 1967) and "Hello, I Love You" and "Touch Me" (1968).

THE MONTEREY POP FESTIVAL- A three day concert event (June 16 - 18, 1967), the Monterey International Pop Festival drew 200,000 over the weekend, with 90,000 at its Sunday night peak. Among those performing were The Association, The Animals, Simon and Garfunkel, Canned Heat, Janis Joplin/Big Brother and the Holding Company, Al Kooper, The Electric Flag, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Steve Miller Band, Moby Grape, The Byrds, Laura Nyro, Jefferson Airplane, Booker T and the M.G.s, Otis Redding, The Blues Project, Buffalo Springfield, The Who, The Grateful Dead, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Scott McKenzie, The Mamas & The Papas and Ravi Shankar. The festival set the stage for the Summer of Love/1967 and for Woodstock two years later. 

DAVID CROSBY / THE BYRDS - David Crosby made his final appearance with The Byrds at Monterey. He left the group in the middle of the festival, going on to achieve worldwide fame and acclaim with Crosby, Stills & Nash and CSN & Young. 

The Byrds - founded in Los Angeles - were a folk/rock and psychedelic band whose signature songs included covers of Dylan's "Mr.Tambourine Man" and "My Back Pages" (1967) and Pete Seeger's "Turn Turn Turn" (1965/#1) along with their own "Eight Miles High" (1966) and "So You Want to be Rock and Roll Star" (1967). 

Roger McGuinn was the one constant member of an often changing band. 

THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS - John Phillips was a founder of the Monterey Pop Festival. He and Denny Doherty were balanced with "Mama" Cass Elliot and Michelle Phillips to form a unique folk/psychedelic quartet. The group have sold nearly 40 million records worldwide, including such hits as "California Dreamin'" (1965), "Monday, Monday" (1965), "Words of Love" (1966), "Creque Alley" (1966) and "Dream a Little Dream of Me" (1967). 

RAVI SHANKAR - Master of the Sitar and India's musical Ambassador to the West, Ravi Shankar is an Honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and a member of the United Nations International Rostrum of Composers. He has received numerous World Awards, including UNESCO's Music Council, two Grammys, Japan's Fukuoka Grand Prize, and the Davos Crystal Award. His performances at the Monterey Pop and Woodstock festivals are legendary, and he is beloved for his humanitarian work, including the concert for Bangladesh with George Harrison. 

THE WHO - Among the most dynamic bands in rock histrory, the Who - Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle and Keith Moon - gave explosive live performances in which they smashed up their instruments as a finale. Their many hits included "I Can't Explain", "My Generation" (both 1965), "Substitute", "A Legal Matter", "I'm a Boy", "The Kids Are Alright", "Happy Jack" (1966), "Pictures of Lilly", "I Can See for Miles" (1967), "Call Me Lightning", "Magic Bus" (1968) "Pinball Wizard" and "I'm Free", both from their legendary 1969, "Rock Opera" - "Tommy".

ERIC BURDON / THE ANIMALS - The gritty group moved to London from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1964. Eric Burdon was the lead vocalist and anchor in an often changing lineup. 

Their 1964 version of "House of the Rising Sun" was a trans-Atlantic #1. Other hits included "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", "We Gotta Get Outta This Place", "It's My Life" (1965), "Don't Bring Me Down" (1966), :"San Franciscan Nights" (1967), and "Sky Pilot" - a graphic anti-war composition (1968).

DONOVAN - The great troubadour, singer-songwriter and guitarist was a dear friend of the Beatles, the Beach Boys and Mia Farrow. He was a powerful ambassador of the Transcendental Meditation Programme, as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

His many hits - rich in dreams, rainbows and psychedelia - include "Catch the Wind", "Colours", "The Universal Soldier" (1965), "Sunshine Superman", "Mellow Yellow" (1966), "There Is A Mountain", "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" (1967), "Jennifer Juniper", "Hurdy Gurdy Man", "Lalena" and "Atlantis" (1968).

THE MOODY BLUES - Formed in Birmingham in 1964, the band debuted with an earthy, blues-based sound, epitomised by "Go Now" - a Top 10 hit. They have gone on to sell over 50 million albums worldwide, and have been awarded 14 Platinum and Gold Discs.

After turning to a cosmic / psychedelic mode - intimately linked to the Beatles - the group produced such wonders as "Nights in White Satin" (1967), "Legend Of A Mind", "Tuesday Afternoon", "Ride My See-Saw", "Voices In The Sky", "Om" (1968) and "Never Comes The Day" (1969).

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE - Pioneers of the San Francisco Bay Area psychedelic rock movement, Jefferson Airplane were the first from that scene to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success. Five of their albums have gone Gold.

With the stunning, vibrant Grace Slick as lead vocalist, they achieved international fame and acclaim with such hits as "It's No Secret" (1966), "Somebody to Love", "White Rabbit" (1967), "Lather", "Crown of Creation" (1968) and "Volunteers" (1969).                                                      

GRATEFUL DEAD- Icons of the San Francisco Bay Area psychedelic rock movement, the Dead fused many styles and forms of music into their repertoire. "Good old Grateful Dead" was the way they were admired by their legions of fans and followers, known as "Deadheads".

The Dead released four heavily psychedelic albums from the mid to late '60's - "Grateful Dead" (1966), "Anthem of the Sun" (1968), "AoxomoxoA" (1969) and "Live Dead" - a double album / in concert - (also 1969).

The group were considered to rank with the Beatles, the Who, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix among the greatest live performers.

THE MONKEES - The Monkees swept into America's living rooms in September, 1966, in the wake of the news that the Beatles would no longer perform live on tour. NBC (with Jack Niicholson as one of the producers) used the Beatles first film - "A Hard Day's Night" - as a model for 30 minutes of music and crazy adventures every Monday night at 8-.

The four young men picked for the show - Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Davy Jones, all had deep backgrounds in show business, and all but Davy (who was a star in "Oliver" in London and on Broadway) were serious, accomplished musicians.

The series lasted less than 2 years, but the band's farewell was a stark film - "Head" - (1968) that featured their finest performances, striking visuals and wild psychedelia.

THE ROLLING STONES - The legendary "Bad Boys" of Rock and Roll are survivors who have sold over 200 million albums worldwide. 

Lead singer Mick Jagger attended the London School of Economics. Jagger and his "glitter twin" - lead guitarist Keith Richards - have written most of the band's original songs for years.

Jagger, Richards, Bill Wyman (bass), Charlie Watts (drums / percussion) and Brian Jones (guitar, vocals, a wide variety of instruments and percussion) stayed together from the band's start in London (1962) until Jones was lost to an overdose and replaced by Mick Taylor in 1969.

All the Stones albums of the '60's - "The Rolling Stones" (1964), "12x5" (1964), "Now" (1965), "Out of Our Heads" (1965), "December's Children (And Everybody's)" (1965), "Aftermath" (1966), "Between the Buttons" (1967), "Their Satanic Majesties Request" (1967), "Beggar's Banquet" (1968) and "Let it Bleed" (1969) went either Gold or Platinum.

Of their dozens of singles, 5 reached #1 in the U.S. - "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (1965), "Get Off of My Cloud" (1965), "Paint It, Black" (1966), "Ruby Tuesday" (1967) and "Honky Tonk Women" (1969).

The Stones are considered to be among the greatest, most dynamic live concert bands of all time. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

MAN LANDS ON THE MOON / JULY, 1969 - American Astronaut Neil Armstrong took "...One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind ..." when he was the first in history to walk on the moon, fulfilling President Kennedy's vision. (He was soon joined by "Buzz" Aldrin.) The Apollo 11 mission (Michael Collins was the third Astronaut) was a triumph of technology and human will - by far the peak of the spirit and "can do" mindset that made its way to much of the world as the '60's progressed.

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - One of the first "Supergroups", Crosby, Stills & Nash came together when David Crosby left The Byrds, Stephen Stills saw Buffalo Springfield splinter, and Graham Nash left England - and The Hollies - behind.

Their debut album - "Crosby, Stills & Nash" - (May, 1969) was their sole release in the '60's and contained many hits, including "Suite, Judy Blue Eyes", "Marrakesh Express", "Wooden Ships", "Long Time Gone" and "Helplessly Hoping".

When they appeared at Woodstock that summer, they performed before nearly half a million people. As a new group, they admitted to being "... scared  - - - - less ..." and then went on to wow everyone there.

ARLO GUTHRIE - Son of the legendary Woody Guthrie, Arlo followed his father's path in writing and singing songs of protest against social injustice.

Arlo's most famous - and beloved - work is the 18 minute + "Alice's Restaurant". (He has been known to take the song out to 45 minutes in concert.) Released in 1967 - and made into a film, starring Arlo, in 1969 - "Alice's Restaurant" weaves a biting, comic tale of being "arrested" at a garbage site in Stockbridge, Mass. on Thanksgiving Day, 1965, and other subsequent craziness at the draft board in New York City, with plenty of other poignant points along the way.

The song's length and message were perfect for emerging FM radio, college stations and a generation of young people who found much to protest.

Arlo gave a bright and lively performance before a peak crowd of half a million at Woodstock. 

NEIL YOUNG - Neil Young was deeply involved in music before he was a teenager.

By 1967, Neil was in Los Angeles, where he joined Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and others to form Buffalo Springfield. Their debut album included the hit protest song "For What It's Worth". Neil's powerful "Mr. Soul" and "Broken Arrow" appeared on the band's second album, "Again" (12/1967).

Following the end of Buffalo Springfield, Neil's first two solo albums were "Neil Young" (1968) and "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" (1969).

FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS - Among the biggest fans only release in the '60's - "Guilded Palace of Sin" - were Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. Two former members of The Byrds - Graham Parsons and Chris Hillman - formed the group, which went on to face constant departures and arrivals. 

WOODSTOCK - Officially known as Woodstock Music and Art Fair - An Aquarian Exposition - Woodstock (or The Woodstock Festival) was actually held in the town of Bethel, NY - 43 miles from the town of Woodstock - August 15 - early 18, 1969.

Woodstock was the grand fulfillment - the apotheosis - of the values and ideals of the '60's generation. Over half a million people - from all over the world - gathered at Max Yasgur's farm to celebrate and to enjoy some of the finest artists and performances in the history of contemporary music.

Among the dozens of performers were : Richie Havens, Incredible String Band, Bert Sommer, Tim Hardin, Ravi Shankar, Melanie, Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Country Joe McDonald, John Sebastian, Canned Heat, Mountain, Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sly & the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Joe Cocker, Ten Years After, The Band, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Johnny Winter (with brother Edgar), Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Jimi Hendrix.

Coming less than a month after the lunar landing, Woodstock confirmed the values of music, peace and love on a cosmic scale. The Festival electrified the world, leaving artists, audience and those watching and listening to reports from the scene gratified and awed at the magnitude of their innocent accomplishment.

SRI SATCHITANAND - Blessed the Woodstock Festival as it opened. His spiritual quest throughout India led to a life of yoga, compassion and travel.

The renowned psychedelic artist Peter Max invited Satchitanand to visit New York City in 1966. Soon after, Satchitanand moved to the United States, eventually becoming a U.S. citizen. He received much greater attention after his appearance at Woodstock.

JERRY GARCIA - Lead guitarist, singer, and "spokesman" for the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia was known as "Captain Trips" when the San Francisco Bay Area psychedelic movement was at its peak.

Both of Jerry's parents were musically oriented (he was named after composer Jerome Kern), and he studied piano throughout his childhood. Despite losing part of his right middle finger at age 4, he became a wizard on the guitar. (His 15th birthday present - an accordian - was traded for his first guitar, a Danelectro, at his insistence.)

After a brief stint in the army (1960 / punishment for swiping his mother's car), he received a general discharge for his near total disregard of rules and regulations. A car crash - in which he went through a windshield, two friends were hurled from the vehicle and another friend was lost - convinced him that it was time to focus on music.

"An Evening With Jerry Garcia" was broadcast on KPFA / Berkeley in 1962. Jerry taught banjo and guitar from 1962 to '64, and - in 1965 - Mother McCrewe's Uptown Jug Champions evolved to the Warlocks. The name being taken, a trip to the dictionary led to Grateful Dead.

When the Dead released their first album (Warner Brothers / 1967) - and their next three ('68 and '69) - they were at the top of the San Francisco psychedelic scene, and on their way to becoming Rock legends.

CANNED HEAT - The blues-rock / boogie band was formed in Los Angeles in 1965. One of the most popular groups of the late '60's, they appeared at both the Monterey (1967) and Woodstock (1969) Festivals.

"Going Up the Country" (1968) is considered as a theme song of Woodstock. Other hits included "On the Road Again" and "Let's Work Together" (both also 1968).

JIMI HENDRIX - Widely considered by many to be the greatest guitarist in the history of Rock, Jimi's big breakthrough in the U.S. came at the Monterey Pop Festival, where he ended his performance by dousing his guitar with lighter fluid and setting it on fire. In one number at Woodstock - two years later - he electrified the crowd by playing with his teeth. Jimi was always pushing the envelope - in his music and his presence on stage.

Jimi was influenced by blues artists B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Albert King, along with rhythm and blues / soul guitarists Curtis Mayfield and Steve Cropper. He had played with Little Richard's band in 1964 and '65.

Winner of many prestigious rock music Awards in his lifetime, Jimi's wild behaviour saw him barely survive the '60's. since his passing soon after the end of the decade, he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, had a star placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was inducted into the U.S. National Recording Registry. Jimi was the first person inducted in the Native American music Hall of Fame.

JOAN BAEZ - A folk artist of highest principles and social consciousness, Joan turned down Bob Dylan's invitation to join him at Columbia Records, signing with the much smaller Vanguard label instead.

Dylan's "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" - an entire side of his double album - "Blonde on Blonde" - is his take on their tempestuous relationship. Joan's "Love Is Just A Four Letter Word" provides a marvelous insight into her feelings about Dylan.

Her performance of "One Day At A Time" - a beloved radical anthem - at Woodstock - was a heart-stopper, delicate and powerful.

A tireless crusader for peace and human rights, she has performed publicly for over 50 years, appeared on the cover of TIME (23/11/62), released over 30 albums and recorded songs in at least 8 languages.

ALVIN LEE / TEN YEARS AFTER - Founded by lead guitarist / lead vocalist Alvin Lee and bassist Leo Lyons, Ten Years After released their classic "Going Home" in 1968. Their performance of "Going Home" at Woodstock brought down the Festival, is considered to be among the greatest live performances in the history of Rock, and catapulted them to star status.