Category Archives: 1960s

‘Romeo and Juliet’ premieres in London 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1968)

1960s, Movies 1960s


Video: 'Romeo and Juliet' trailer

(Monday, March 4, 1968, evening BST) — Romeo and Juliet, a British-Italian romantic drama film about teenage lovers caught in their families bitter hatred for one another (based on the play by William Shakespeare), premiered tonight during the Royal Film Performance gala at Odeon Theatre in London with Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip and Prince Charles in attendance. Continue reading ‘Romeo and Juliet’ premieres in London 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1968) →

‘We’re Only in It for the Money’ satirical concept album released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1968)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'The Mothers Of Invention (We're Only In It For The Money) 1968 (FULL ALBUM) + LYRICS ENG/ESP'
Video: 'The President: March 1968. MP894.' (Mar. 1, 1968, at 1:25)

(Monday, March 4, 1968) — We’re Only in It for the Money by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, a concept album that satirizes left and right-wing politics, particularly the hippie subculture, as well as the Beatles’ album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, was released today by Verve Records. Continue reading ‘We’re Only in It for the Money’ satirical concept album released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1968) →

‘Words’ by Bee Gees peaks at #15 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1968)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s

(Saturday, March 2, 1968) — “Words” by the Bee Gees peaked at #15 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Words’ by Bee Gees peaks at #15 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1968) →

‘Mission-Impossible’ by Lalo Schifrin peaks at #41 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1968)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s

(Saturday, March 2, 1968) — “Mission-Impossible” by Lalo Schifrin peaked at #41 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Mission-Impossible’ by Lalo Schifrin peaks at #41 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1968) →

‘Valleri’/’Tapioca Tundra’ single by The Monkees released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1968)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Monkees


Video: 'Valleri (2010 Remastered Version)'

(Saturday, March 2, 1968) — “Valleri”/“Tapioca Tundra” by The Monkees, the made-for-television rock group’s seventh single, was released today. Continue reading ‘Valleri’/’Tapioca Tundra’ single by The Monkees released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1968) →

Clark Clifford sworn in as defense chief 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1968)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'The President: March 1968. MP894.' (Mar. 1, 1968, at 1:25)

(Friday, March 1, 1968, 12 noon EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Clark Clifford, a Washington lawyer and adviser to Democratic presidents for two decades, was sworn in today succeed Robert McNamara as the U.S. Secretary of Defense in a White House East Room ceremony with President Lyndon Johnson in attendance. Continue reading Clark Clifford sworn in as defense chief 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1968) →

Beatle Ringo Starr departs Rishikesh, India 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1968)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'The Beatles In Ashram, Rishikesh, India (1.03.1968) (Filmed 15.03.1968)'

(Friday, March 1, 1968) — After only ten days, Ringo Starr of The Beatles and his wife Maureen today departed the Chaurasi Kutia ashram, home of the International Academy of Meditation near Rishikesh, India, where the band was studying Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

All four members of The Beatles were filmed this day at Rishikesh (Ringo appears at the beginning of the film) for broadcast on Italy’s TV 7 on Mar. 15, 1968.

The TM course was scheduled through Apr. 27, 1968, but all three of the remaining Beatles would depart Rishikesh before the conclusion (Paul McCartney returned home on Mar. 26, 1968, and John Lennon and George Harrison departed Apr. 11, 1968).

The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ wins ‘Album of the Year’ Grammy 50 years ago #LeapDay (Feb 29 1968)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'The Beatles - "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (2009 Stereo Remastered) [Full Album]'

(Thursday, February, 29 1968, evening EST) — Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles won four awards tonight at the 10th Annual Grammy Awards in multiple presentations at the New York Hilton Hotel and in Los Angeles, Chicago and Nashville. Continue reading The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ wins ‘Album of the Year’ Grammy 50 years ago #LeapDay (Feb 29 1968) →

White racism main cause of riots, says commission 50 years ago #Leapday (Feb 29 1968)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Eyes On The Prize - (Part 8) Two Societies 1965–1968' (Kerner Commission at 51:49)

(Thursday, February 29, 1968; during the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — The Kerner Commission, officially known as the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, released its report on riots of the previous summer today and highlighted racial discrimination in the United States as a primary cause with the ominous warning, “Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal.” Continue reading White racism main cause of riots, says commission 50 years ago #Leapday (Feb 29 1968) →

LBJ lauds outgoing defense chief McNamara 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 28 1968)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'The President: February 1968. MP893.' (Feb. 28, 1968, at 22:57)

(Wednesday, February 28, 1968, 1:20 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon Johnson gave the Medal of Freedom today to his departing Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, and praised him as a “brilliant and good man.” Continue reading LBJ lauds outgoing defense chief McNamara 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 28 1968) →