These headlines were in the news during 1966 …
President Lyndon Johnson declared that the U.S. would stay in South Vietnam until Communist aggression there was ended; over 35,000 protestors marched down New York City’s Fifth Avenue, demanding the U.S. pull out of the war; Uniform daylight saving time was first observed in most parts of North America; the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the police must inform suspects of their rights before questioning them; Richard Speck murdered eight student nurses in their Chicago dormitory; sniper Charles Whitman killed 14 people and wounded 32 more from the top of the University of Texas at Austin Main Building tower; the Aberfan disaster in South Wales killed 144 (of which 116 were children); the AFL-NFL merger was approved by Congress; Ronald Reagan was elected Governor of California; Buster Keaton, Ed Wynn, Lenny Bruce, Walt Disney all died.
The Sand Pebbles, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, A Man For All Seasons Fantastic Voyage, Harper and Our Man Flint all premiered in U.S. theaters; Star Trek and The Monkees premiered on NBC; It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! premiered on CBS; Batman premiered on ABC.
The average cost of a new home was $14,200; the average income in the U.S. was $6,900; the average cost a new car was $2,650; gasoline cost 32 cents a gallon; the average cost of a new dishwasher was $120; the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the year at 785.
And in music?
John Lennon stated in an interview that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus”; Bob Dylan’s motorcycle accident sent him into isolation; Jan Berry (Jan and Dean) crashed his Corvette into a truck and suffered extensive brain damage; Shindig! and Hullabaloo left the television airwaves; the Beatles performed their last official concert at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park.
It was the year sixteen artists achieved their first #1 single and it was the year of epic albums; Revolver, Pet Sounds, Blonde On Blonde, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, Aftermath, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, and Fresh Cream.
Just like 1965, there were twenty-seven #1 songs in 1966 and we’ll begin playing them in chronological order tomorrow. But first, it’s “Mellow Sunday” so here are a few 1966 songs (with their peak chart position indicated next to the artists’ name) that landed on the soft side.
Play button is on the left … Volume slider is on the right
1966 Vintage Medley / Part 1
Mindbenders (#2) – Lovin’ Spoonful (#2) – Bobby Darin (#8)
Beach Boys (#39) – Peter & Gordon (#14)
Kinks (#14) – Bob Lind (#5)
A cup of coffee and some tunes from 1966. Great way to start the day. We have really enjoyed these medleys and of course the history snippets from those years. Enjoy your day Ray!
Thanks Marty (and the lovely and talented Karen) 🙂
It’s nice to know the medleys start your day with a smile or two. I may be having to make a decision soon as to cutting back on one of the three regular columns. I enjoy putting all of them together but the time spent on doing that has become a little overwhelming.
So … if you don’t mind, which one would you prefer I drop? I promise I won’t take it personally. 🙂
Hi Ray, welcome back. I missed you and hope all your tests went well.
Really enjoyed today’s set.
The Spoonful always make me happy. They were so relaxed and happy all the time.
Bobby Darin does a nice job with Carpenter, but you know how I feel about Tim Hardin, he owns that song. I prefer Bobby Darin’s Folk period, the Mr Showbiz period got old for me.
The Beach Boys somehow spoke to me with each and every one of their songs. Brian Wilson is a true genius. I hope his head is in a good place now. He sure went through some rough times.
The Kinks! Any day I hear a Kinks song is a good day. Couple this with George Harrison’s Taxman and even April 15 is more tolerable.
Thank you, Don. 🙂
I know how you feel about the Kinks so although there were plenty of other “mellow” songs I could have played, I added their song just for you!
We are in complete agreement on Mr. Hardin (and Darin’s folk period) but unfortunately, it was Bobby who had the hit in 1966.
We’re also tied at the hip with regards to Brian Wilson’s genius. Too many people associate him with the “surf and car” era of the Beach Boys but overlook his later work, both with the band and as a solo artist.
By the way, I’m doing very well. 🙂
Thank you for the Kinks! I needed them today.
My pleasure, Don. 🙂
Ray this certainly was not a mindbender it was kinda groovy not a hullabaloo but a nice shindig!! And this is a great day for a daydream. Just a lovin spoonful of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme!! I thought it was a little Kinky when Bobby Darin said he was having my baby!! I think that was a blonde on blonde joke? God only knows where I’d be without Peter and Gordon!! I’m not sure of what Bob Lind had on his mind. Ray if you can believe your eyes and ears I think the medleys would be my choice!! The storm over us now has been rain more rain and some flooding!! So far we are ok but wishing I build an ark!! Should be over late today!! No tornados thank God few more hours to go!! This storm is huge!!
Fred, YOU AMAZE ME … Constantly!
Always enjoy your medleys ……. great way to pass the time with the gloomy weather we are having right now! Guess I will play again and make some banana bread! Want you to know how appreciated you are by me and so many more for all that you do to bring a little joy in people’s lives ………. take care and have a wonderful day my friend!
Thank you, Penny 🙂
Always enjoy your comments … and support. 🙂
Listening again on Monday(too busy watching the Patriots on Sunday(Ha, ha). Anyhow, loved these, what a day for a daydream. Finished my Sophomore year at UVM,& met my husband-to-be in 1966. I think I would choose the medleys, also. They always pick me up & make me “groovey”!!
Thank you, Pat…for the comment (1966 worked out pretty well for you!) and the feedback on “what should go”. 🙂
Nice! Love those mellow Sunday sounds…. looks like 66 is going to good!
Thanks…and my vote is to keep the music but the history is fascinating and illuminating.
Tough call but I know you will be awesome whatever you chose.
Thanks for your input on this, Donna. 🙂