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1968
Nineteen Sixty Eight
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
| 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
- Viet Nam “Conflict” is in full force with both sides suffering large losses. (The Tet offensive)
- Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In Debuts
- The Boeing 747 takes it’s maiden flight
- March 16th, Robert Kennedy enters the race for Democratic Party nomination.
- The “Gold Standard” is repealed by the US Congress.
- April 4th, Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis
- President Johnson signs into effect the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
- 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.
- Helen Keller dies just 26 days short of her 88th
- June 5th, Robert Kennedy is assassinated in Los Angeles by Sirhan Sirhan.
- June 8th, James Earl Ray is arrested for the murder of Martin Luther King Jr.
- 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.
- The CIA establishes the “Phoenix Program” (the act of “neutralizing by assignation, kidnapping or other means” in Saigon.)
- Saddam Hussein become “Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Council” after coup d’etat.
- October 11th NASA launches first manned “Apollo” mission. Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham are aboard.
- Mexico City welcomes the XIX Summer Olympics
- Aristotle Onassis and Jacqueline Kennedy marry
- Yale University announces that next year (1969) they will accept women students.
- David Eisenhower marries Julie Nixon
- The Consumer Credit Protection (or “Truth in Lending”) act is effective July 1, 1968
- 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 |
|
| 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
- Hey Jude The Beatles
- I heard it thru the grapevine Gladys Knight & the Pips or Marvin Gaye
- Love is Blue Paul Mauriat (spelling?) (first instrumental to hit #1 since 1962)
- Honey Bobby Goldsboro
- People gotta be free The Rascals
- The dock of the Bay Otis Redding
- This guy’s in Love with you Herb Albert
- Robinson Simon & Garfunkel
- Love Child Diana Ross & the Supremes
- Tighten Up Archie Bell and the Drells
- Hello, I love you The Doors
- Judy in Disguise John Fred and his Playboy Band
- Grazing in the grass Hugh Masekela
- Harper Valley PTA Jeannie C. Reily
- Green Tambourine The Lemon Pipers
- Theme from The Valley of the Dolls Dionne Warwick
- Young Girl Gary Puckett & the Union Gap
- Those were the days my friend Mary Hopkins
- The Horse Cliff Nobles and Company
- 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
- Cry like a baby The Box Tops
- Lady Madonna The Beatles
- Valleri The Monkees
- Turn around, look at me The Vogues
- Jumpin Jack Flash The Rolling Stones
- Hurdy Gurdy Man Donovan
- Mony Mony Tommy James and the Shondells
- Midnight Confessions The Grass Roots
- Sunshine of your love Cream
- Spooky The Classics IV
- Hush Deep Purple
- Hello, Goodbye The Beatles
- The Good, the Bad, the ugly Hugo Montenegro
- Classical Gas Mason Ramsey…Uh Mason Williams
- Daydream Believer The Monkees
- Elenore The Turtles
- Dance to the Music Sly & the Family Stone
- The Unicorn The Irish Rovers
- The Look of Love Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66
- The Fool on the Hill Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66
- Chewy Chewy The Ohio Express
- For Once in my life Stevie Wonder
- Abraham, Martin and John Dion
- The Ballad of Bonnie & Clyde Georgie Fame
- Dream a little dream Mama Cass
- Different Drum The Stone Poneys
- Think Aretha Franklin
- Delilah Tom Jones
- Girl Watcher The O’Kaysions
- Summertime Blues Blue Cheer
- Susan The Buckinghams
- Wichita Lineman Glen Campbell
- Do it again Beach Boys
- LA LA Means I love you The Delfonics
- Goin out of my head The Lettermen
- Tip-toe Thru the tulips Tiny Tim(sells 15,000 copies in the first 3 months)
- Chain of Fools Aretha Franklin
- Stormy Classics IV
- I wish it would rain Temptations
- To see what condition….. Kenny Rogers & the 5thEdition
- I wonder what she’s doin….. Boyce & Hart
- I’ve Gotta get a message to you Bee Gees
- Here come da Judge Shorty Long
- Bottle of Wine The Fireballs
- 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
The Top 100 Songs for 1968
- Hey Jude Beatles, The
- Honey Bobby Goldsboro
- Love Is Blue Paul Mauriat
- Sittin’ On the Dock Of The Bay Otis Redding
- People Got To Be Free Rascals, The
- Sunshine of Your Love Cream
- This Guy’s In Love with You Herb Alpert
- Stoned Soul Picnic Fifth Dimension, The
- Mrs. Robinson Simon & Garfunkel
- Tighten Up Archie Bell & The Drells
- The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Hugo Montenegro
- Little Green Apples O.C. Smith
- Mony, Mony Tommy James & The Shondells
- Hello, I Love You Doors, The
- Young Girl Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
- Cry Like A Baby Box Tops, The
- Harper Valley P.T.A. Jeannie C. Riley
- Grazing In the Grass Hugh Masekela
- Midnight Confessions Grass Roots, The
- Dance to The Music Sly & The Family Stone
- The Horse Cliff Nobles & Co.
- I Wish It Would Rain Temptations, The
- La-La Means I Love You Delfonics, The
- Turn Around Look At Me Vogues, The
- Judy in Disguise (With Glasses) John Fred & His Playboy Band
- Spooky Classics IV, The
- Love Child Diana Ross & The Supremes
- Angel of the Morning Merrilee Rush
- The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde Georgie Fame
- Those Were the Days Mary Hopkin
- Born To Be Wild Steppenwolf
- Cowboys to Girls Intruders, The
- Simon Says 1910 Fruitgum Company
- Lady Willpower Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
- A Beautiful Morning Rascals, The
- The Look of Love Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66
- Hold Me Tight Johnny Nash
- Yummy, Yummy, Yummy Ohio Express
- Fire Arthur Brown, The Crazy World Of
- Love Is All Around Troggs, The
- Playboy Gene & Debbe
- Theme from Valley of The Dolls Dionne Warwick
- Classical Gas Mason Williams
- Slip Away Clarence Carter
- Girl Watcher O’Kaysions, The
- Sweet Baby Since You’ve Been Gone Aretha Franklin
- Green Tambourine Lemon Pipers
- 1, 2, 3, Red Light 1910 Fruitgum Company
- Reach Out of the Darkness Friend & Lover
- Jumpin’ Jack Flash Rolling Stones, The
- MacArthur Park Richard Harris
- Light My Fire Jose Feliciano
- I Love You People
- Take Time to Know Her Percy Sledge
- Pictures of Matchstick Men Status Quo
- Summertime Blues Blue Cheer
- Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- I Got the Feelin’ James Brown & The Famous Flames
- I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You Bee Gees, The
- Lady Madonna Beatles, The
- Hurdy Gurdy Man Donovan
- Magic Carpet Ride Steppenwolf
- Bottle of Wine Fireballs, The
- Stay in My Corner Dells, The
- Soul Serenade Willie Mitchell
- Delilah Tom Jones
- Nobody But Me Human Beinz
- I Thank You Sam & Dave
- The Fool on the Hill Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66
- Sky Pilot Eric Burdon & The Animals
- Indian Lake Cowsills, The
- I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
- Over You Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
- Goin’ Outta My Head Lettermen, The
- Shoo-Bee-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day Stevie Wonder
- The Unicorn Irish Rovers
- You Keep Me Hangin’ On Vanilla Fudge
- Revolution Beatles, The
- Woman, Woman Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
- Elenore Turtles, The
- Sweet Inspiration Sweet Inspirations
- The Mighty Quinn Manfred Mann
- Baby, Now That I’ve Found You Foundations, The
- White Room Cream
- If You Can Want Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
- Cab Driver Mills Brothers, The
- Time Has Come Today Chambers Brothers, The
- Do You Know the Way To San Jose Dionne Warwick
- Scarborough Fair Simon & Garfunkel
- Think Aretha Franklin
- You’re All I Need to Get by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- Here Comes the Judge Shorty Long
- I Say a Little Prayer Aretha Franklin
- Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud James Brown
- Sealed With a Kiss Gary Lewis & The Playboys
- Piece of My Heart Big Brother & The Holding Company
- Suzie Q. Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Bend Me Shape American Breed, The
- Hey, Western Union Man Jerry Butler
- Never Give You Up Jerry Butler
1968 In Pictures
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1968
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