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It’s a trip into the groovy world of long hair, bell-bottom jeans and love beads.
Promoters say they’re expecting thousands of people to turn out this weekend’s “Celebration of the ‘60s convention,” a festival of local pop music and TV cultures of the era.
Fans from as far as Japan and Australia are expected at the convention at a downtown hotel featuring actors Davy Jones of “The Monkees” and Butch Patrick, who played Eddie on “The Munsters”
Lead singers from such 1960s Chicago bands as the Buckinghams, the Cryan Shames, the Mauds and the Ides of March also are billed for the three-day convention that ends Sunday.
“It’s just been one big buzz,” said Australian Jeff Wunsch, 33, one of the 70 fans who showed up Friday night for opening festivities.
“We just believe that the music and the culture of the ‘60s will never die,” said organizer Mike Bush. “People might not necessarily remember the names of these bands. But if they hear the melody and a few words, they say “oh yeah.’ It’s the music that’s the strong point.”
Also billed are the Cowsills – the musical family that inspired the television show “The Partridge Family” and performed such hits as “Hair and “The Rain, the Park and Other Things.”
Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart planned to reunite at the convention.
The pair, who wrote many of the songs made popular by “The Monkees,” says their songs are still played across the country because they’re uncomplicated and easy on the ear.
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