60s Memory Lane

Daniel has the blanket wrapping over his upper body, covering the pillow beneath which he is embracing close to his chest. The plane is now cruising at a steady speed in high altitude. The blanket and the pillow were distributed by the air stewardess to the passengers so as to keep them warm and comfortable. The plane is now quiet and dark with lights switched off. Most passengers are trying to catch some sleep from this long journey. The fellow passenger sitting next to him is still reading his German newspapers, with the help of the overhead light . Daniel’s subconscious state of mind is now occupied with images and events of the 60s which had left lasting impressions on him. The 60s are really an exciting period for any school going youngster. Changes are felt everywhere in almost all things to do with the human species; be it politics, music, fashion, movies, traditions, values, and the human behavior. Everything seems temporal during this era.
Politics
The 60s saw the birth of Malaysia in 1963. But, the alliance with Singapore has been rough and patchy resulting in Singapore being expelled from Malaysia in 1965. After the 13 May 1969 race riots, Prime Minister Abdul Razak launched the New Economic Policy (NEP) which is a system of government that attempts to combine overall economic development with political and economic policies that promote equitable participation of all races.
But it was the events that are taking place in far away countries, especially in the United States of America and Europe, especially England that have caught people’s attention and imagination. Besides being caught up in the relentless pop culture mill imported from the West, Daniel also takes a keen interest in world affairs through reading the daily newspapers ordered by his father. He particularly likes to read the headlines and news around the globe, especially news from the United States and England. This is the era of the youth. Young people, most of whom college and university students, are the driving force behind changes in the politics of America during the mid-60s. The established order of things is challenged; it is like a time bomb and nothing is safe. Young college students staged demonstrations and protest marches. In the beginning, such activities were mostly peaceful, but they grew bolder and louder and developed into violent confrontations with bloody ugly scenes of students clashing with policemen.
Many of the conflicts of world politics during the 60's are the result of different ideologies between the West and the East, the so called ‘cold war’, i.e. capitalism against communism. America has a new President in the name of John F. Kennedy. He became the 35th President of the United States in 1961. The image of President Kennedy appearing in television taking his oath of office with the immortal line ‘Ask not what America can do for you. Ask what you can do for America!’ still gives a nice ring in Daniel’s ears. But, this image of the young, handsome and charismatic American President soon gives way to an eerie picture of President Kennedy slumping with his head resting on the shoulder of his beautiful wife in his presidential limousine with blood oozing from his forehead. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 at Dallas, Texas by man called Lee Harvey Oswald. This is also an era of civil rights movements taking a strong foothold in American politics. TV and the media give wide coverage on their activities. The civil rights movement is led by an eloquent and charismatic black leader called Martin Luther King. He was an exceptionally gifted speaker who fervently advocated racial equality and justice in the system. By using non-violent means together with the power of speech, he managed to create changes in the American political system. Somehow, the human race dislikes great leaders. Martin Luther King suffered the same fate as Kennedy; he was assassinated on March 10, 1969 by someone called James Earl Ray. And just as black power became the new focus of the civil rights movement in the mid-60s, other groups were growing similarly impatient with American politics. These are mostly student activists. They grew more and more radical and soon became physically confrontational. They took over college campuses, organized massive anti-war demonstrations and occupied parks and other public places. Some even made bombs and set campus buildings on fire.
The era also witnessed a prolonged war between the USA and Vietnam. This is another war born out of ideological differences between the West and the East. The conflict was a prolonged struggle between Vietnamese nationalist forces attempting to unify the country under a communist government and the United States (with the aid of the South Vietnamese) attempting to prevent the spread of communism. Daniel’s memory is particularly vivid in reading a moving story written in the Times magazine about an incident involving the killing of innocent Vietnamese villagers by some American soldiers. The story was about US soldiers from Charlie Company led by a Lt. William Calley on a search and destroy mission against the Viet Congs, but ended up killing innocent people in a Vietnamese village called My Lai. The incident sparked disgust and protests around the civilized world and is remembered as the ‘My Lai Massacre.’ It was alleged that the soldiers massacred hundreds of innocent villagers, including women, children, and the elderly. It was reported that many of the victims were raped, tortured and even mutilated. The Vietnam War has cost the American public a great deal of money, resources and human lives. Soon, U.S. leaders lost the American public's support for the war. This is in no small way due to the vociferous demands made by student movements in America who are vehemently against US’s involvement in the conflict.
Despite all the political and ideological conflicts and chaos, America succeeded in landing the first humans on the moon. America through the Apollo 11 mission on July 20,1969 put Neil Alden Armstrong and Edwin Eugene Aldrin, Jr. on the moon, fulfilling the American dream to land a man on the moon before the Russians. The famous words uttered by Neil Armstrong, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" when he first landed on the moon, will go into the history books for eternity.
Sweeping changes are also taking place in Britain. This is the period of the ‘Swinging Sixties’. It is a term applied to the fashion, music and cultural scene that flourished in London. The most celebrated fashion icon is Twiggy. Twiggy in her miniskirts is photographed and published in fashion magazines all over the world. She is called "the Queen of Mod." The Mini-Cooper is the most popular car on the British roads. The Mini, as it is affectionately called, is a small two-door car produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) which has a uniquely distinctive look with its space-saving front wheel drive layout that allows 80% of the area of the car’s floor space to be used for passengers and luggage. The Mini is considered the British equivalent to its German contemporary, the Volkswagen Beetle.
England won the World Cup against West Germany at Wembley Stadium in 1966. The Anglo-French airliner Concorde made its first supersonic test flight from Toulouse, France on 2 March 1969. The Concord is a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airlinerIt which is a technological marvel and regarded by many as an aviation icon. To have an idea of its supersonic speed, the average flight time between London Heathrow and New York JFK is three hours and 20 minutes compared to a Boeing 747 which averages more than seven hours for the same journey.
British politics suffered a grave setback which was rocked by a scandal involving the private life of John Profumo who is the Secretary of State for war. Profumo has been educated at Harrow and Oxford. He was a quintessential high-powered Tory who had achieved cabinet rank after serving in a number of junior posts. The factor that brought his downfall was a young pretty woman named Christine Keeler. It was not so much about his infidelity with the call girl but the startling revelation that she had also slept with a man named Eugene Ivanov, who was the naval attache at the Soviet embassy. The possibility of confidential war documents and intelligence being leaked is a real threat to national security. The Profumo Affair led to the downfall of the Macmillan government and in October 1963, less than a month after publication of the Denning Report about the scandal, Macmillan, the Prime Minister, resigned citing ill health. The Labour Party swept to power in 1964 under Harold Wilson, a pipe smoking, thoughtful, deep throated leftist politician, ending a long period of unbroken Conservative government. His Labour leaders are George Brown, Jim Callaghan and Denis Healey. Together they honed a new style of British politics which looked to the challenges of the future, not the ideology of the past.
But, the greatest influence by the British in the world stage is not from politics or invention. It’s music of the pop yeah-yeah.
Great changes are also taking place in China during this period. Their leader Mao Zedong launched the ‘Cultural Revolution’ in May 1966. This ideological struggle is essentially a class war within China to get rid of the ‘bourgeois elements’ which had permeated into its society and political system. The communist party under Chairman Mao believed that liberal ‘bourgeois elements’ were morally and culturally corrupt and they were accused of trying to restore capitalism in China. To carry out this ‘Cultural Revolution’, youths around the country were mobilized to form the Red Guards. During this period much of China’s economic activity and its education system came to a sudden halt, followed by destructions of ancient buildings, artifacts, antiques, books, and paintings. People were encouraged to criticize cultural institutions, old values and traditions. Many intellectuals were sent to rural labour camps and their books and literature were seized, confiscated and burnt. People were even encouraged to question their parents, teachers and elders. This is unheard of in the Confucian culture which has been imbedded in the Chinese people for thousands of years. Everyone is waving a little red book which contained Mao’s quotations. Chairman ‘Mao’s Thoughts’ has become the central operative guide to all things in China. His brand of ideological struggle appeals to left wing political parties of some foreign countries; mostly in South America and communist countries in the East. Many took their political struggles to hills and the jungles and their fighters are popularly referred to as ‘Maoist Guerillas’. However, by the end of 1966, the Red Guards had become too much of a political liability. The campaign against ‘bourgeois elements’ had led to widespread anarchy, due to lack of discipline and factionalism in the movement which had made them politically dangerous. Their movement was dispelled in 1967.
Hippies
The 60s saw the emergence of the so called ‘hippie subculture’. The hippies are mostly young men and women best known for rejecting many of society’s morals and attitudes. It was originally a youth movement that arose in the United States of America that quickly spread to other countries. This generation of youth’s ideology is peace through love and their favourite slogan is ‘Peace with Flower Power’. They preach a classless society, racial equality, freedom of religion and frown upon middle-class traditions and values. Some of them are known for their genuine love and compassion for others. They took part in political demonstrations and protested very loudly against the Vietnam War. They created their own communities, listened to rock music that is heavily influenced by the use of drugs such as marijuana and LSD. They wear psychedelic clothes which are flamboyantly painted with flower designs and patterns. They spot long hair, embraced the sexual revolution, giving the peace sign everywhere they go and used drugs to purportedly ‘explore alternative states of consciousness.’ But, many developed addiction problems and died from drug overdose. It was in the summer of 1969 that their non conforming behavior way of life, with love and peace as their sacred message to the world, caught the attention of the whole civilized world. Hundreds of thousands of American youth flocked to a rock music festival which was played out on Max Yasgur’s 600-acre dairy farm in Bethel, New York to listen to the best of rock and roll music. It is known as the Woodstock Music Festival and became an icon of the 1960s hippie counterculture. A harmonious three days that has lots of singing, dancing, drugs, free sex, and people covered with mud that seemed to represent the best of the peace-and-love generation.
Pop Culture
Daniel smiles in his half asleep dream as scenes of those talentime shows, school concerts and Saturday night parties playing in his memory. In the early 60’s young girls wore mini skirts leather boots, short hair and they all tried to look skinny like Twiggy. The boys were wearing Paisley shirts and velvet trousers to the parties and concerts. In the mid 60’s onwards young people started to wear their hair long and women identified with the hippie look by wearing skirts and dresses longer, often known as Maxies. The talentime shows and concerts are breeding grounds of local pop talents. Famous boy bands paying in such circuits coming to his mind are ‘The Teenage Hunters’,’ The Strollers’, ‘The Falcons’, ‘Rhythm Boys’, ‘The Shanandoahs’ and ‘October Cherries’. Though there is not much originality from their music, except for a few self- composed songs, their enthusiasm and youthful energy more than made up this void. Their playing styles are very much influenced by bands from England. The most famous 4-piece instrument group is The Shadows. Local lead guitarists like to adopt the playing style of Hank Marvin and the boys mimic The Shadows stage movements when they play music. Daniel always eagerly awaits The Shadows’ new releases. He would rush to the records stores in Batu Road to buy them. He would listen to the vinyl records for hours on end, leaning the guitar flicks and cords. And he would discuss the tunes with Thomas in class; much to the displeasure of Mrs. Nair. The chords are not difficult to learn but for the tunes to sound like The Shadows, he needs to have a Fender. He could not afford an electric guitar, so he bought an acoustic guitar and connected it to an amplifier but the sound is not the same. Almost in every talentime show or school party, the tune “Apache’ is played. Local bands also play The Shadows’ other famous instrumental tunes such as ‘Wonderful Land’, ‘Kon Tiki’, ‘Dance On’, and ‘Foot Tapper’. Daniel has also seen all their movies shown in KL which they starred with their famous singer, Cliff Richard. ‘The Young Ones’ and ‘Summer Holiday’ are his all time favourites.
A favourite pastime for the youngsters is listening to Rediffusion. This broadcasting station is the source for pop music and its culture, especially pop music from America and England. Local DJs who are household names are Mike Ellery, Peggy Rose, Noreen Sales, Larry Lai etc. Youngsters would glue to the Rediffusion to listen to programmes like ‘Top Tunes of The Week’ and ‘British Top 20s.’ There are also many records coming out from across the border, Singapore. Many of the songs are original compositions but their styles and forms are very much influenced by Western pop bands. The Singaporean groups and their songs that come to Daniel’s memory are hits played by ‘Susan Lim & the Crescendos’ such as ‘Mr. Twister’, ‘Waktu Fajar’, ‘The Boy Next Door’ and ‘Besame Mucho’, ‘My Lonely Heart’ by ‘The Thunderbirds’, ‘Singapura’ by Sandra. They also sing patriotic songs such as ‘Oh Malaya’ by Anneke Gronloh, ‘Midnight In Malaya’ & ‘Sunrise In Malaysia’ by ‘Boy & His Rollin’ Kids’, ‘Malaysia Wonderful’ by The Sundowners & The Tornados etc. Another Singapore band which has a large fan base in Malaysia are ‘The Quest’, arguably the most talented band in Singapore. When Daniel first heard their hit single song, ‘Don’t Play That Song ‘ by the Quests’ lead singer Keith Locke, he thought it was a hit single by an English group.
Beatles Mania
Before it was all American music. Some of the most popular American pop icons are Bill Haley and The Comets, Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary, Paul Anka, Andy Williams, The Platters and Motown pop artists such as the Supremes etc. Daniel thought that among them, Bob Dylan’s music is most unusual. His distinctive style of music with underlying messages, and sings with his deep soulful sad voice has caught everyone’s attention and imagination. His songs of protest and soulful expression demand a sense of awareness from the listener. ‘The Times They Are a-Changing’ and ‘Blowing In The Wind’ became anthems for the civil rights and anti-war movements. During his height of fame, Bob Dylan is even nicknamed a ‘Rock Poet’. But all this status quo soon changed with the invasion from the boys from England. The most famous of them all are The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
The Beatles as a group shaped not only music but also an entire generation. People all over the civilized world mimicked all that they did, including their haircuts, clothing, shoes, and even their clowning behaviour. Their style and innovative music set the standard for all musicians to follow. Youngsters know the names of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr by heart. From the time they wake up in the morning to the bed at night, there is always a Beatles song in their heads. Daniel did not pay much attention to their first single record that came out in the market in September 1962, with the song ‘Love Me Do’ and on the flop side ‘P.S. I Love You.’ It was their second record with the song ‘Please, Please Me’, that made them their first number-one hit. Daniel started to notice this group of four mop top boys who called themselves The Beatles after this hit single. After this, he went to buy their previous single of ‘Love Me Do’ and ‘P.S. I Love You’. Hit after hit followed and their fame soared. Young people all over Britain copied anything and everything that has to do with The Beatles. Beatlemania had overtaken Great Britain. Soon, their popularity sand influence pread across the globe. The Beatles made their maiden tour to America in February 1963. They appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. They displayed wry sense of humour and answered questions without offering much answers and generally fooling around. But the America audience simply adored them and Beatlemania took a foothold in America. By 1964, the Beatles were making movies. Their first film, ‘A Hard Day's Night portrayed an average day in the life of the Beatles, most of which was running from chasing girls. The Beatles followed this with ‘Help!’ in 1965, ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ in 1967, and ‘Yellow Submarine (animated)’ in 1968. At the height of their popularity, John Lenon caused an uproar when he cockily said that The Beatles were more popular than Jesus. By 1966, the Beatles were growing weary of their popularity. They were worn out, grew tired of each, plus internal bickering and disagreement. They decided to end their touring and concentrated solely on recording albums.
Movie Stars
The local entertainment scene is greatly influenced by P. Ramli. This multi-talented singer-actor starred in most of the local blockbuster movies and his leading screen lady is Saloma. P. Ramli gives the local entertainment industry an identity by introducing musical styles which straddled between East and West. His trademark song, ‘Rasa Sayang’ will forever epitomize the memory of P. Ramli in Malaysian folklore. It is the most popular song when different Malaysian races come together in social gatherings or during festive celebrations. Daniel likes going to the cinemas. He goes to cinemas a lot. His favourite movie stars are American actors and actresses. John Wayne is his greatest American hero on the silver screen. He watched all his great films, such as ‘The Alamo’, ‘North To Alaska’ and ‘How The West Was Won’. He still has the image of John Wayne riding in from the horizon with his posse of men and beating the daylights out of the poor Red Indians. His favourite screen actress is the lovely Elizabeth Taylor. There are papers running a story about her off-screen romance with the handsome Welsh actor Richard Burton. Paul Newman is another icon of the cinema. His famous film is ‘Cool Hand Luke’ which Newman stars in the title role as Luke. Luke is a prisoner in a Florida prison who refused to submit to the rigid system. He is not the type who yields to authority easily and quickly ran foul of the prisoners' de facto leader, Dragline. Things came to the boil and the pair staged a boxing match surrounded by the prisoners and guards watching them. Although Luke is severely outmatched by the larger Dragline and he was fell by him many times. But, he repeatedly refused to stay down and eventually Dragline gave up fighting him. Luke suffered a beating but he won the applause and respect of the prison population.
The 60’s also saw television sets installed in middle-class Malaysian homes. People who do not have televisions are invited to the homes of owners to enjoy the viewing. Long lasting friendships are forged. Popular TV programmes are series such as the ‘The Saint’, ‘The Fugitive’, and ‘The Twilight Zone’.
‘The Saint’ alias Simon Templar is played the handsome English actor Roger Moore. He is a classy, cunning master thief, an ex-con Robin Hood-type thief who steals from the rich. He is a smooth-talking adventurer, goes in where angels fear to tread and courts danger everywhere he goes. His smiling charm can sometimes be more lethal than a weapon. The Saint is always on a mission of mercy or intrigue, with a beautiful woman close at hand. Women adore him, adversaries fear him and the police force finds him a constant pain in the butt. Often, he relies upon wits and his trusty white Volvo to escape a dilemma. Twilight Zone is a series of collection of various tales that provoke scare of the unknown and the subconscious. Most episodes have unexpected endings and a moral lesson. As an author wrote, no matter what, it's "a journey into a wondrous land, whose boundaries are that of the imagination." The Fugitive is the story about a doctor named Richard Kimble who is wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and is sentenced to death. But he escaped from the prison train and runs back to find the man who kills his wife with U.S. Marshals close on his trail. David Janssen stars as Richard Kimble.

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