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1968

Nineteen Sixty Eight

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highlights

The Year 1968

Only 81 days left until Christmas

President:  Dwight D. Eisenhower

Vice President:  Hubert Humphrey

Newly Elected President:  Richard Nixon

Newly Elected V. President: Spiro Agnew

COST OF LIVING

House $ 14,950.00
Average income $ 7,743.00 (yearly)
Minimum Wage $ 1.60 (per hour)
Cost of new car $ 2,820.00
Gas (gallon) $ .34 (for regular)
Milk (gallon) $ 1.07
Postage stamp $ .06
Bread $ .49
Dozen eggs $ .53
¾ oz Hershey bar $ .05
Movie Tickets $ 1.50

NEWS OF 1968

  1. Viet Nam “Conflict” is in full force with both sides suffering large losses. (The Tet offensive)
  2. Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In Debuts
  3. The Boeing 747 takes it’s maiden flight
  4. March 16th, Robert Kennedy enters the race for Democratic Party nomination.
  5. The “Gold Standard” is repealed by the US Congress.
  6. April 4th, Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis
  7. President Johnson signs into effect the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
  8. The US nuclear-powered submarine “Scorpion” sinks, 400 miles SW of the Azores with 99 men aboard (none survive) there are many “theories” about the sinking.
  9. Helen Keller dies just 26 days short of her 88th
  10. June 5th, Robert Kennedy is assassinated in Los Angeles by Sirhan Sirhan.
  11. June 8th, James Earl Ray is arrested for the murder of Martin Luther King Jr.
  12. June 24th, Giorgio Rosa declares the “Independence of his Republic of Rose Island” an artificial Island off Rimini Italy……Italian troops demolish it not long afterwards.
  13. The CIA establishes the “Phoenix Program” (the act of “neutralizing by assignation, kidnapping or other means” in Saigon.)
  14. Saddam Hussein become “Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Council” after coup d’etat.
  15. October 11th NASA launches first manned “Apollo” mission.  Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham are aboard.
  16. Mexico City welcomes the XIX Summer Olympics
  17. Aristotle Onassis and Jacqueline Kennedy marry
  18. Yale University announces that next year (1969) they will accept women students.
  19. David Eisenhower marries Julie Nixon
  20. The Consumer Credit Protection (or “Truth in Lending”) act is effective July 1, 1968
  21. Christian Bernard does the first successful heart transplant

NEW AND IMPROVED in 1968

Big Mac’s are introduced

Anti-theft locks in steering columns are introduced

“non-reflective” windshields are introduced.

Dolby cassettes are introduced

NEW WORDS WE WERE INTRODUCED TO

  • Acid rock
  • Cassette
  • Closet queen
  • To “Crash” (like at a friend’s apartment)
  • Dime bag ($10 bag of pot)
  • Mace (police are using it to subdue demonstrators)
  • Mind-expanding
  • Minibus
  • Roll bar (for jeeps and trucks)
  • Speed (the drug)

NEWCOMERS IN BOX OFFICE STARS

  • Dustin Hoffman
  • Katharine Ross
  • Robert Blake
  • Jim Brown

Movies we went to in 1968

  • The Graduate (top money maker of the year)
  • Bullitt (Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Duvall)
  • Charley (Cliff Robertson, Clare Bloom)
  • Funny Girl (Barbra Streisand, Omar Sharif)
  • The Good, the Bad & the Ugly (Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Eli Wallach)
  • The Lion in Winter (Katherine Hepburn, Peter O’Toole)
  • Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin)
  • The Odd Couple (with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau)
  • Planet of the Apes (Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall)
  • Rosemary’s Baby (Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon)
  • 2001 A Space Odysey (Stanley Kubrick….Keir Dullea (yummy) Gary Lockwood…”I don’t think so Dave” computer……….HAL 9000 stands for Heuristic Algorithmic which was the name of the Lab that created the HAL 9000

OSCARS for 1968

Best Picture Oliver
Best Actor Cliff Robertson in Charley
Best Supporting Actor Jack Albertson in The subject was Roses
Best Actress (first time 2 win) AND Best Supporting Actress
  • Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl
  • Katherine Hepburn in Lion in Winter
  • Ruth Gordon in Rosemary’s Baby
Best Song Windmills of your mind (Thomas Crown Affair)
Best Supporting Actress Patty Duke in The Miracle Worker (16 yrs old & the youngest actress to win an Oscar (usually children get a “special Oscar”)

The Emmy Awards of 1658

Best Dramatic Series NET Playhouse
Best Actor in Dramatic Series Carl Betz in Judd for the Defense
Best Supporting Actor (continuing series) Werner Klemperer in Hogan’s Heroes
Best Actress in Dramatic Series Barbara Bain in Mission: Impossible
Best Supporting Actress (cont. series) Susan St. James in The Name of the Game
Best Comedy Get Smart! (NBC)
Best Actor in Comedy Series Don Adams in Get Smart!
Best Actress in Comedy Series Hope Lange in The Ghost & Mrs. Muir
Best Variety Series Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In (NBC)

TV SHOWS WE WERE WATCHING

  • One Live to Live debuts
  • Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In (debuts in 1968)
  • Gomer Pyle, USMC
  • Bonanza
  • Mayberry RFD (what does the RFD stand for?  Rural Farm Delivery for mail)
  • Family Affair (with Brian Keith and Sebastian Cabot)
  • Gunsmoke
  • Julia (The first tv series to feature a Black woman in a starring role)
  • The Dean Martin Show
  • Here’s Lucy
  • The Beverly Hillbillies
  • Mission Impossible
  • Bewitched
  • My Three Sons (Robbie, Chip and Ernie…….and Uncle Charlie)
  • The Glen Campbell Hour
  • Green Acres
  • And……………………Dragnet (just the facts Ma’am)

MUSIC of 1968

  • New recording Artists for 1968
  • The Band
  • Blood, Sweat and Tears
  • Chi-lites
  • Joe Cocker (ugh!!!)
  • Creedence Clearwater Revival
  • Kenny Rogers and the First Edition
  • Fleetwood Mac
  • George Harrison (solo)
  • Steppenwolf
  • James Taylor
  • And…………..drum roll please……….The Steve Miller Band!!!!

The GRAMMY AWARDS for 1968

  • Record of the Year   “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel
  • Song of the Year   “Little Green Apples” written by Bobby Russell
  • Album of the Year   “By the Time I get to Phoenix” Glen Campbell
  • Best Vocal-Male Jose Feliciano “Light my Fire
  • Best Vocal-Female   Dionne Warwick “Do you know the way to San Jose?”
  • Best Vocal-Duo/Group   “Mrs. Robinson” by  Simon & Garfunkel
  • Best Rhythm & Blues   “The dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
  • Best male Rhythm & Blues Otis Redding “The dock of the Bay
  • Best Female Rhythm & Blues Aretha Franklin “Chain of Fools
  • Best Male Country Johnny Cash “Folsom Prison Blues
  • Best Female Country Jeannie C. Riley “Harper Valley PTA
  • Best Country duo/group Flatt & Scruggs “Foggy Mountain Breakdown
  • Best Soundtrack   The Graduate, Paul Simon and Dave Grusin

Billboards top 20 songs of 1968

  1. Hey Jude The Beatles
  2. I heard it thru the grapevine Gladys Knight & the Pips or Marvin Gaye
  3. Love is Blue Paul Mauriat (spelling?) (first instrumental to hit #1 since 1962)
  4. Honey Bobby Goldsboro
  5. People gotta be free The Rascals
  6. The dock of the Bay Otis Redding
  7. This guy’s in Love with you Herb Albert
  8. Robinson Simon & Garfunkel
  9. Love Child Diana Ross & the Supremes
  10. Tighten Up Archie Bell and the Drells
  11. Hello, I love you The Doors
  12. Judy in Disguise John Fred and his Playboy Band
  13. Grazing in the grass Hugh Masekela
  14. Harper Valley PTA Jeannie C. Reily
  15. Green Tambourine The Lemon Pipers
  16. Theme from The Valley of the Dolls Dionne Warwick
  17. Young Girl Gary Puckett & the Union Gap
  18. Those were the days my friend Mary Hopkins
  19. The Horse Cliff Nobles and Company
  20. Born to be Wild Steppenwolf

Musical News of 1968

January 13, 1968, Johnny Cash records his “Live at Folsom Prison” album

February 27, 1968-Frankie Lymon is found dead of drug overdose in Harlem

The Musical “HAIR” officially opens on Broadway

The Beatles release their “White” album

The Yardbirds disband, Jimmy Page creates “The New Yardbirds” with three unknown artists and then they change their name to Led Zepplin and go “hard rock”.

Deep Purple debut in America

Harper Valley PTA debuts at #81 on the charts and the next week is at #7 largest jump ever in music history.

7 minute long “MacArthur Park” defies all AM taboos and becomes a number 1 song for Richard Harris.  To follow, the Beatles release a 7 minute, 11 second recording of “Hey Jude”

John Sebastian leaves Lovin Spoonful for a solo career.

Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield split and Hatfield starts to perform with Jimmy Walker as the Rightous Brothers.

The Temptations release “Cloud 9” which is considered a forerunner of Disco.

Other songs we listened to in 1968

  1. Cry like a baby The Box Tops
  2. Lady Madonna The Beatles
  3. Valleri The Monkees
  4. Turn around, look at me The Vogues
  5. Jumpin Jack Flash The Rolling Stones
  6. Hurdy Gurdy Man Donovan
  7. Mony Mony Tommy James and the Shondells
  8. Midnight Confessions The Grass Roots
  9. Sunshine of your love Cream
  10. Spooky The Classics IV
  11. Hush Deep Purple
  12. Hello, Goodbye The Beatles
  13. The Good, the Bad, the ugly Hugo Montenegro
  14. Classical Gas Mason Ramsey…Uh Mason Williams
  15. Daydream Believer The Monkees
  16. Elenore The Turtles
  17. Dance to the Music Sly & the Family Stone
  18. The Unicorn The Irish Rovers
  19. The Look of Love Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66
  20. The Fool on the Hill Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66
  21. Chewy Chewy The Ohio Express
  22. For Once in my life Stevie Wonder
  23. Abraham, Martin and John Dion
  24. The Ballad of Bonnie & Clyde Georgie Fame
  25. Dream a little dream Mama Cass
  26. Different Drum The Stone Poneys
  27. Think Aretha Franklin
  28. Delilah Tom Jones
  29. Girl Watcher The O’Kaysions
  30. Summertime Blues Blue Cheer
  31. Susan The Buckinghams
  32. Wichita Lineman Glen Campbell
  33. Do it again Beach Boys
  34. LA LA Means I love you The Delfonics
  35. Goin out of my head The Lettermen
  36. Tip-toe Thru the tulips Tiny Tim(sells 15,000 copies in the first 3 months)
  37. Chain of Fools Aretha Franklin
  38. Stormy Classics IV
  39. I wish it would rain Temptations
  40. To see what condition….. Kenny Rogers & the 5thEdition
  41. I wonder what she’s doin….. Boyce & Hart
  42. I’ve Gotta get a message to you Bee Gees
  43. Here come da Judge Shorty Long
  44. Bottle of Wine The Fireballs
  45. For What it’s worth Buffalo Springfield

October 23, 1956, is a day that will live forever in the annals of free men and nations. It was a day of courage, conscience and triumph. No other day since history began has shown more clearly the eternal unquenchability of man’s desire to be free, whatever the odds against success, whatever the sacrifice required.

– John F Kennedy
2000Px Billboard Logo.svg
1968 Attack Of The 50Ft Woman6

The Top 100 Songs for 1968

 

  1. Hey Jude Beatles, The
  2. Honey Bobby Goldsboro
  3. Love Is Blue Paul Mauriat
  4. Sittin’ On the Dock Of The Bay Otis Redding
  5. People Got To Be Free Rascals, The
  6. Sunshine of Your Love Cream
  7. This Guy’s In Love with You Herb Alpert
  8. Stoned Soul Picnic Fifth Dimension, The
  9. Mrs. Robinson Simon & Garfunkel
  10. Tighten Up Archie Bell & The Drells
  11. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Hugo Montenegro
  12. Little Green Apples O.C. Smith
  13. Mony, Mony Tommy James & The Shondells
  14. Hello, I Love You Doors, The
  15. Young Girl Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
  16. Cry Like A Baby Box Tops, The
  17. Harper Valley P.T.A. Jeannie C. Riley
  18. Grazing In the Grass Hugh Masekela
  19. Midnight Confessions Grass Roots, The
  20. Dance to The Music Sly & The Family Stone
  1. The Horse Cliff Nobles & Co.
  2. I Wish It Would Rain Temptations, The
  3. La-La Means I Love You Delfonics, The
  4. Turn Around Look At Me                  Vogues, The
  5. Judy in Disguise (With Glasses) John Fred & His Playboy Band
  6. Spooky Classics IV, The
  7. Love Child Diana Ross & The Supremes
  8. Angel of the Morning Merrilee Rush
  9. The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde Georgie Fame
  10. Those Were the Days Mary Hopkin
  11. Born To Be Wild Steppenwolf
  12. Cowboys to Girls Intruders, The
  13. Simon Says 1910 Fruitgum Company
  14. Lady Willpower Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
  15. A Beautiful Morning Rascals, The
  16. The Look of Love Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66
  17. Hold Me Tight Johnny Nash
  18. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy Ohio Express
  19. Fire Arthur Brown, The Crazy World Of
  20. Love Is All Around Troggs, The
1968 Bullit Steve Mcqueen4
1968 Planet Of The Apes Charleton Heston7
  1. Playboy Gene & Debbe
  2. Theme from Valley of The Dolls Dionne Warwick
  3. Classical Gas Mason Williams
  4. Slip Away Clarence Carter
  5. Girl Watcher O’Kaysions, The
  6. Sweet Baby Since You’ve Been Gone Aretha Franklin
  7. Green Tambourine Lemon Pipers
  8. 1, 2, 3, Red Light 1910 Fruitgum Company
  9. Reach Out of the Darkness Friend & Lover
  10. Jumpin’ Jack Flash Rolling Stones, The
  11. MacArthur Park Richard Harris
  12. Light My Fire Jose Feliciano
  13. I Love You People
  14. Take Time to Know Her Percy Sledge
  15. Pictures of Matchstick Men Status Quo
  16. Summertime Blues Blue Cheer
  17. Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  18. I Got the Feelin’ James Brown & The Famous Flames
  19. I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You Bee Gees, The
  20. Lady Madonna Beatles, The
  1. Hurdy Gurdy Man Donovan
  2. Magic Carpet Ride Steppenwolf
  3. Bottle of Wine Fireballs, The
  4. Stay in My Corner Dells, The
  5. Soul Serenade Willie Mitchell
  6. Delilah Tom Jones
  7. Nobody But Me Human Beinz
  8. I Thank You Sam & Dave
  9. The Fool on the Hill Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66
  10. Sky Pilot Eric Burdon & The Animals
  11. Indian Lake Cowsills, The
  12. I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
  13. Over You Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
  14. Goin’ Outta My Head Lettermen, The
  15. Shoo-Bee-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day Stevie Wonder
  16. The Unicorn Irish Rovers
  17. You Keep Me Hangin’ On Vanilla Fudge
  18. Revolution Beatles, The
  19. Woman, Woman Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
  20. Elenore Turtles, The
1968 The Green Berets115
1968 The Monkees12
  1. Sweet Inspiration Sweet Inspirations
  2. The Mighty Quinn Manfred Mann
  3. Baby, Now That I’ve Found You Foundations, The
  4. White Room Cream
  5. If You Can Want Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
  6. Cab Driver Mills Brothers, The
  7. Time Has Come Today Chambers Brothers, The
  8. Do You Know the Way To San Jose Dionne Warwick
  9. Scarborough Fair Simon & Garfunkel
  10. Think Aretha Franklin
  11. You’re All I Need to Get by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  12. Here Comes the Judge Shorty Long
  13. I Say a Little Prayer Aretha Franklin
  14. Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud James Brown
  15. Sealed With a Kiss Gary Lewis & The Playboys
  16. Piece of My Heart Big Brother & The Holding Company
  17. Suzie Q. Creedence Clearwater Revival
  18. Bend Me Shape American Breed, The
  19. Hey, Western Union Man Jerry Butler
  20. Never Give You Up Jerry Butler

1968 In Pictures

Gallery

1968

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