Events of the time were reflected in Top 40 radio hits
May 2, 2020
Star Beacon
Ashtabula, Ohio
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Popular music at the time of Vietnam protests and Kent State shootings, 1967-70, reflected the counterculture's influence on society, but not necessarily by addressing controversies of the day, according to Bradley Keefer, associate professor of history at Kent State University at Ashtabula.
Keefer was scheduled to speak on music of the era as part of the university's commemoration of the May 4, 1970 shootings. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 virus shut down all of the commemorative events, but Keefer agreed to share a sampling of the Top 40 hits, as well as his thoughts on the era and the songs.
Feel-good songs that were part of the Billboard Top hits in 1967-70, included:
The Archies - "Sugar, Sugar"
Foundations - "Build Me up Buttercup"
Jackson 5 - "ABC"
The Partridge Family - "I think I love you"
Bobby Sherman - "Hey Little Woman"
The Cowsills - "Hair"
"Long hair was the symbol of youth rebellion against conventional behavior that included free love, no bras, infrequent bathing and communal living," Keefer said. "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In [TV show] both celebrated and spoofed this culture with featured go-go dancers, it's a Mod Mod world, sock-it-to-me time, and bizarre acts like Tiny Tim."
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