From 1967: The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous (And The Commercial That Made My Heart Go A-Flutter)

Somebody get me that time machine, because this is the version of adulthood in which I want to live.

Just two career gals...Sally and Janet, we'll call them...two bachelor gals living together in their own fifth-floor walk-up apartment, in The Big City, and all that that implies.  

They don't plan on being in the secretarial pool at Dewey, Cheatem, and Thensome forever, of course.  In fact, they both have great hopes for the two young go-getters from the accounting department at the office...Stan and Hal, we'll call them...who are coming around for chips and dip and maybe a lively game of Scrabble, perhaps a bit of dancing to the records Sally and Janet so carefully set out on the Hi-Fi.  Everyone likes Stan Getz, right?  Sure they do.  And that "Corcovado" song is just right for slow dancing, should things go well.

Carefully coiffed, nine thousand gallons of hairspray used between the two of them to lacquer their looks into place, Sally and Janet are no floozies.  Sure, they're modern girls, and both like a good time.  They'll invite a suitor or two into their apartment for some laughs.  But try some Funny Business, and you'll be shown the door.  A girl has to have morals, after all, even if it is the Space Age.  Men don't buy the cow when they can drink the milk for free!

Or, apparently, drink mind-boggling amounts of Schlitz.  I don't think neither Stan nor Hal are very marriage-minded at all, bringing that much beer to the party like Sally and Janet are a couple of good-time floozies!  A girl always prefers pretty flowers to a couple of six-packs, fellas!

"Can you believe that Stan?  He tried to cop a feel while we were dancing!"  Sally huffed, as she took off her pearls.

"And he seemed like such a doll at the Christmas party," said Janet.  Then she sighed, unhooked her left stocking, and daintily yanked it from her leg.

Random Kitties: James Bond Edition

Sean Connery cuddles a kitten on the set of Dr. No, 1962.

From 1966: How Much Do Those Go-Go Boots Weigh?

1966

Note that the "diet" involves no solid food for almost a week.  
Be sure to double-click the graphic so you get all of the depressing copy.

Halloween 1963

From 1966: Hair-Hoppin' Glamour!

1966

 

Let me tell you, it takes a lot of effort and dedication to get a hairdo this high.  If that isn't the very epitome of La Glamour, I don't know what is.

Found on what is turning out to be an absolute treasure trove for my beloved Found Photos, Pinterest.

From April 1965: Whipped Cream and Other Delights

I've always said that 1965 was the best year for music.

Certainly it brought to listeners one of the most iconic records of the decade, if not ever.  Not just for the music, mind you (but oh, that music was fabulous!)...but that sexy, salacious, audacious album cover.

You know the one, because chances are, your parents had this record in their collection, too.

Let's have a cocktail party.  

Put the kids to bed early, put this record on the hi-fi, and put the nibbles on the coffee table.  I hope I made enough rumaki for everyone...

I'll have a vodka gimlet, please, darling.  Will you zip up my new dress?

Now, sweetheart, remember...you promised not to get too tight and argue politics with Stan Facemeyer like you did the other night at the Howards'.  Linda Facemeyer is one of my very best friends, and we hate it when you boys argue.

*DING DONG* Get the door, will you, sweetie?  I can't go out there without my lipstick!

Voodoo Child: Susan Cowsill

At the tender age of eight, Susan Cowsill appeared with "family band" The Cowsills on The Ed Sullivan Show.  You read that right: she was eight years old.

 She may have been a kid, but she works that tambourine and sings like she was born to be in the band with her brothers and mother.   You can't take your eyes off of her.  Whatever "it factor" was or is, little Susan had it, and in spades.  She was a groovy little chick, a real voodoo child.  And when that young lady started dancing?  Forget it.  The girl had moves.

CBS flubbed the audio on the first verse and chorus in this clip.  Stick with it; when the mikes get switched on properly, you get to hear the band's remarkable vocals.

All of the Cowsill children were the victims of their militant, domineering father, Bud.  The Cowsills were so liked by Ed Sullivan, he wanted them for an unheard-of TEN guest appearances for the show.  However, because of the audio flub by CBS at the beginning of the song, Bud had a huge argument with the Sullivan people.  

The Cowsills would only appear once more on the show.

UPDATE from October 2014: I found this clip, a medley of tunes showcasing each individual member.  Little Susan belts out "Sweet-talkin' Guy." 

Susan Cowsill today.  (She's still a groovy chick.)

For Everyone Who Is Sick

It seems like everyone is sick during these Ides of March.

I'm including myself in those ranks: Ken brought home a terrible cough over a week ago, and while he seems to be over the worst of it, it remains with me.

Yes, it seems that we all need some Teek with TC-44 
around here:

 

"No narcotics."  They say that like it's a good thing.  And this is from the 60s, no less.  I thought there was narcotic goodness in chewing gum back then.

Prom 1965

Prepare yourselves for untold glamour!

If I could reach out and give every single one of these darlings a kiss on the cheek, I would.

Photos found on Google Images; search "Prom 1965."  Many of these shots will lead you to truly wonderful websites where you can lose yourself in all of the glorious memories.

From 1967: Quick-Cooked In Dragon Fire!

That's Jim Henson's voice and dragon Muppet.

When Acne-Plagued Teenagers Are Shunned From Hootenannies And Other Such Wholesome, Non-Pimply Activities

I'd place the date on this ad as being between 1961 and 1964.

Even network television got in on the Hootenanny trend:

My favorite of the Hootenanny groups was The Journeymen, which was Dick Weissman, Scott McKenzie, and John Phillips. 

This was filmed in the fall of 1963.

Dream Lovers: Jay Sebring and Sharon Tate

August 1969

Photo taken by Voytek Frykowski

August 1969

Photo taken by Voytek Frykowski

Their death scene.  Warning: very graphic.

From 1968: Safe In My Garden

In May of 1968, The Mamas and the Papas released their fourth album, The Papas and The Mamas.  

Recorded entirely in the insular setting of John and Michelle Phillips' hillside mansion, the record was a real diversion from earlier Mamas and Papas efforts.  While the harmonies were still lush and beautiful, there is a weariness throughout this album, and the songs reflect it: "Too Late," "Rooms," "Mansions," and this tune, "Safe In My Garden."

John Phillips says in his excellent 1986 autobiography, Papa John, that "Safe In My Garden" was about being let down by fame, about being disenchanted by what one finds when they reach the top of the heap, that "having it all" can mean nothing and everything.  

Phillips said, "In other words, it was about me."

From September 1967: Beatle Cartoons Theme, Season Three

A curious mix of the "old" Beatles look, 
with the "Sergeant Pepper" changes.

John Lennon did not like this song, "And Your Bird Can Sing," referring to it as a "throwaway."

The signature dual-harmony electric lead guitar parts were played live (without overdubbing) by Harrison and McCartney. Lennon played the rhythm in the "D major" position with the capo on the 2nd fret (to account for the song being in the key of E).

An excellent article about The Beatles cartoon series.

Both John Lennon and George Harrison were big fans of the show, and there is a persistent rumor that John and George provided their own voices to at least one episode of the cartoon series...uncredited, of course.

From 1969: Cheer Up, Charlie

Not much else to be said about that.  

This shot was by photographer Mark Getty.

From 1966: A Very Bloody Summer

Charles Whitman killed 14 people and wounded 32 others during a shooting rampage on and around the university's campus on August 1, 1966.  He had earlier that morning stabbed to death his wife and mother, making the total he killed 16 and 49 victims.

This is horrifying raw footage of Whitman shooting from the University of Texas clock tower.  What never ceases to amaze me is the bravery of those students who ran out, without any cover, to help rescue victims, risking being shot by Whitman themselves.  At least one of these heroes had recently returned to the United States from a tour of duty in Vietnam.

There are Austin residents who sought shelter behind their cars as Whitman turned his arsenal toward "The Drag," a popular shopping district, and killed several people at random there, people who were certainly unaware of what was transpiring on campus.  Whitman was such an expert shot, he managed to kill at least two victims as they peered out from the safety of their cars.

*****
 

 Richard Speck tortured, raped, and murdered eight student nurses from South Chicago Community Hospital on July 14, 1966.  After breaking into their apartment, Speck herded the terrified women into one bedroom and tied them up.  One by one, he took them from the room.  Only one woman managed to survive the massacre by hiding under the bed and out of sight.

I have an almost encyclopedic knowledge of this massacre, but I can't bring myself to write anything more about it.  Born to raise hell. 

From 1966: Purr Purr Perfect

I love the colors in this stunning ad.  For a much larger version, give the image a double click.

September 12, 1967: Dusty Brings Motown To Merry Olde England

I think the song is rather apt for these days, too.

Grasshopper: Michelle Phillips

Michelle Phillips

1966

"Got A Feelin'" is one of the many songs inspired by Michelle.  This song was penned by her husband, John, about her affair with Denny Doherty.  It is one of my favorites because it is one of my Mom's favorites, and it features Michelle's delicate, lyrical soprano prominently.

Little Metal Bottle Tops

David Thomas Jones
1945-2012