The early 60s saw a continuation of the 1950s fashion-wise, with skirt suits and coordinating accessories. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy epitomized this look during her husband’s short presidency. She was admired around the world for her put-together, lady-like look consisting of boxy skirt-suits like Givenchy suits, sheath and A-line dresses, and luxurious coats–all accessorized with white gloves, pearls, and a matching hat. Some common elements of her style included: pillbox hat, suits in pastel colours, short boxy-style jackets, shift dresses, oversized sunglasses, pearls.
The middle of the decade was very much influenced by the cultural phenomenon termed Swinging London which focused on youth, spotlighting music and fashion, the epicentre being the famous Carnaby Street. It brought us The Beatles and the miniskirt, Twiggy and The Who. The designer who led the way in the “youthquake” was Mary Quant who opened her first shop, Bazaar, on the King’s Road in Chelsea, London in 1955. Quant’s child-like, colourful designs appealed to teenagers and young people who had more disposable income than any generation before, differing from the stuffy looks of the older generation. Boutiques were groovy places where modern music played and young owners and customers collaborated on new looks that came only in small sizes.
By the late 1960s, more new styles and culture emerged, some heavily influenced by the space-race, putting man on the moon, others using way-out materials such as PVC. Skirts dipped back to mid-calf and, by 1969, the full-length maxi-skirt saw a move towards the “hippie” aesthetic. Suede, headbands, kaftans, Afghan coats, beads and other non-Western elements of adornment were embraced as were flowing skirts and second-hand clothing.
1. Del Shannon – Runaway – 05-61
2. Dion – Runaround Sue – 11-61
3. The Shirelles – Will You Love Me Tomorrow – 02-61
4. Bobby Vee – Take Good Care Of My Baby – 11-61
5. Neil Sedaka – Calendar Girl – 02-61
6. Billy Fury – Jealousy – 09-61
7. Elvis Presley – Wooden Heart – 03-61
8. Mr. Acker Bilk – Stranger On The Shore – 12-61
9. The Dave Brubeck Quartet – Take Five – 11-61
10. Ray Charles – Hit The Road Jack – 10-61
11. John Leyton – Johnny Remember Me – 08-61
12. Ricky Nelson – Hello Mary Lou/Travellin’ Man – 06-61
13. Helen Shapiro – Walkin’ Back To Happiness – 10-61
And a couple bubbling under: Danny Williams – Moon River – 11-61 Elvis Presley – Are You Lonesome Tonight – 01-61
1960 Psycho – A Phoenix secretary embezzles forty thousand dollars from her employer’s client, goes on the run, and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother. Spartacus – The slave Spartacus leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman Republic. The Magnificent Seven – Seven gunfighters are hired by Mexican peasants to liberate their village from oppressive bandits. The Apartment – A Manhattan insurance clerk tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue.
1961 West Side Story – Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy. Breakfast at Tiffany’s – A young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building, but her past threatens to get in the way. One Hundred and One Dalmatians – When a litter of Dalmatian puppies are abducted by the minions of Cruella de Vil, the parents must find them before she uses them for a diabolical fashion statement.
The Hustler – An up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.
1962 To Kill a Mockingbird – Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his children against prejudice. Lawrence of Arabia – The story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance – A senator returns to a Western town for the funeral of an old friend and tells the story of his origins. Dr. No – A resourceful British government agent seeks answers in a case involving the disappearance of a colleague and the disruption of the American space program. Lolita – A middle-aged college professor becomes infatuated with a fourteen-year-old girl.
1963 The Pink Panther – The bumbling Inspector Clouseau travels to Rome to catch a notorious jewel thief known as “The Phantom” before he conducts his most daring heist yet: a princess’ priceless diamond with one slight imperfection, known as “The Pink Panther”. The Great Escape – Allied prisoners of war plan for several hundred of their number to escape from a German camp during World War II.
1964 A Fistful of Dollars – A wandering gunfighter plays two rival families against each other in a town torn apart by greed, pride, and revenge. Goldfinger – While investigating a gold magnate’s smuggling, James Bond uncovers a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve. Dr Strangelove – An insane general triggers a path to nuclear holocaust that a War Room full of politicians and generals frantically tries to stop. Mary Poppins – In turn of the century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father. A Hard Day’s Night – Over two “typical” days in the life of The Beatles, the boys struggle to keep themselves and Sir Paul McCartney’s mischievous grandfather in check while preparing for a live TV performance.
1965 The Sound of Music – A woman leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the children of a Naval officer widower. Doctor Zhivago – The life of a Russian physician and poet who, although married to another, falls in love with a political activist’s wife and experiences hardship during World War I and then the October Revolution. The Ipcress File – In London, a wisecracking spy investigates the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists while dealing with the constraints of his agency’s bureaucracy.
1966 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – A bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery. Batman: The Movie – The Dynamic Duo faces four supervillains who plan to hold the world for ransom with the help of a secret invention that instantly dehydrates people.
1967 The Jungle Book – Bagheera the Panther and Baloo the Bear have a difficult time trying to convince a boy to leave the jungle for human civilization. Bonnie and Clyde – Bored waitress Bonnie Parker falls in love with an ex-con named Clyde Barrow and together they start a violent crime spree through the country, stealing cars and robbing banks. In the Heat of the Night – A black Philadelphia police detective is mistakenly suspected of a local murder while passing through a racially hostile Mississippi town, and after being cleared is reluctantly asked by the police chief to investigate the case. The Dirty Dozen – During World War II, a rebellious U.S. Army Major is assigned a dozen convicted murderers to train and lead them into a mass assassination mission of German officers. The Producers – A stage-play producer devises a plan to make money by producing a sure-fire flop. The Graduate – A disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.
1968 The Thomas Crown Affair – A debonair, adventuresome bank executive believes he has pulled off the perfect multi-million dollar heist, only to match wits with a sexy insurance investigator who will do anything to get her man. Once Upon a Time in the West – A mysterious stranger with a harmonica joins forces with a notorious desperado to protect a beautiful widow from a ruthless assassin working for the railroad. 2001: A Space Odyssey – After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000. Planet of the Apes – An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet where highly intelligent non-human ape species are dominant and humans are enslaved.
1969 The Italian Job – Comic caper movie about a plan to steal a gold shipment from the streets of Turin by creating a traffic jam. The Wild Bunch – An aging group of outlaws look for one last big score as the “traditional” American West is disappearing around them. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – Wyoming, early 1900s. Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid are the leaders of a band of outlaws. After a train robbery goes wrong they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. Their solution – escape to Bolivia. Midnight Cowboy – A naive hustler travels from Texas to New York City to seek personal fortune, finding a new friend in the process. Easy Rider – Through the open country and desert lands, two bikers head from L.A to New Orleans, and along the way, meet a man who bridges a counter-culture gap they are unaware of.
1. Roy Orbison – Only The Lonely – 09-60 2. Elvis Presley – It’s Now Or Never – 11-60 3. Johnny Preston – Running Bear – 02-60 4. Shirley Bassey – As Long As He Needs Me – 08-60 5. The Drifters – Save The Last Dance For Me – 11-60 6. Bobby Darin – Beyond The Sea (La Mer) – 02-60 7. The Everly Brothers – Cathy’s Clown – 04-60 8. Eddie Cochran – Three Steps To Heaven – 05-60 9. The Shadows – Apache – 08-60 10. Johnny Tillotson – Poetry In Motion – 12-60 11. Ricky Valance – Tell Laura I Love Her – 09-60 12. Johnny Kidd & The Pirates – Shakin’ All Over – 07-60 13. Brian Hyland – Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini – 07-60
And the ones that didn’t quite make the grade: Elvis Presley – Girl Of My Best Friend – 08-60 Neil Sedaka – Stairway To Heaven – 05-60 Peter Sellers & Sophia Loren – Goodness Gracious Me – 11-60
During the years Britain was at war (1939–45), life was frequently hard and people lived with with fear, injury, death and destruction. Families were often separated due to evacuation and fathers going away to fight. The British had to endure the bombing of their towns and cities in the Blitz, as well as attacks from flying bombs and rockets. In all 60,595 civilians were killed and 86,182 seriously injured. Rationing of food began in January 1940 and clothes in June 1941. By 1943, virtually every household item was either in short supply and had to be queued for, or was unobtainable.
Despite the danger and deprivations, there was a great and genuine community spirit in wartime Britain which often transcended class and other barriers. But there was also an almost universal feeling, that after victory the country could not go back to pre-war social conditions. For starters, women had stepped up to the demands for them to take on ‘men’s work’ in factories, offices, and out in the fields. Many women learned to drive to help with ambulances and fire engines, and some even flew planes (mostly transporting between airfields). VE Day found Britain exhausted, drab and in poor shape, but proud of its unique role in gaining the Allied victory.
In 1948, four years after the war ended, the state of play looked like this:
People often lived in the same town all their lives, near their families and there were often more than three children in every family.
One third of the British population went to the cinema at least once a week , other regular entertainment saw church halls and ballrooms packed with people dancing to swing music or attending concerts of classical, jazz and big band music.
There were only 14,500 television sets in the whole country and there was only one channel (BBC). Hardly any homes had a television and most families listened to the wireless (radio) for their entertainment.
A quarter of British homes had no electricity. Many homes did not have a washing machine, telephone or an indoor toilet. With no central heating, coal fires heated the main living rooms. Fitted carpets were rare, most houses having stone floors downstairs and wooden floors with rugs.
Cooking was done from scratch using produce grown locally. You could only buy items that were in season and most of what you bought was made or grown in the UK.
There were only just over a million cars on Britain’s roads. Petrol rationing remained until 1954. For most people, this made the car an unaffordable luxury. Most people used public transport to get around. Air travel was mainly for the rich. To go abroad, most people travelled by ship.
The average weekly wage was £3 18s (£3.90). Now it is about £600 (2023)
Tina was a huge influence on my musical tastes, right back from Nutbush City Limits in 1973, and I followed her from then, loving her skillful meld of rock and soul and fascinated by her style, energy and phenomenal performances.
For my 40th, I became Tina at a fancy-dress Halloween party – ran 3 miles, 3 times a weeek for 3 months to get the legs for it! A couple of my friends bought me a session at Olan Mills and this was the result – nowhere near a match, but I had great fun doing it.
She touched a lot of people’s lives, and inspired many women to stand up for themselves, but more than anything, she brought us joy. Rest in peace, Tina – we love you.
In time-honoured tradition, here’s my Tina Turner top thirteen. 1. Private Dancer – 1984 2. What’s Love Got to Do with It? – 1984 3. (Simply) The Best – 1989 4. We Don’t Need Another Hero – 1985 5. Nutbush City Limits – 1973 6. Addicted to Love – 1988 7. Steamy Windows – 1989 8. Better be Good to Me – 1984 9. Let’s Stay Together – 1983 10. Proud Mary – 1993 11. Way of the World – 1991 12. Golden Eye – 1995 13. When the Heartache is Over – 1999
She also made a bunch of duets with some awesome superstars: • It Takes Two (with Rod Stewart) – 1990 • Tonight (with David Bowie) – 1984 • It’s Only Love (with Bryan Adams) – 1985 • In Your Wildest Dreams (with Barry White) – 1996 • On Silent Wings (with Sting) – 1996 • Tearing Us Apart (with Eric Clapton) – 1987
The further I go back in time, the fewer songs I recognise. Because a whole stack of Time Kicks Back is set in Bletchley Park during 1940, I’m gonna spend a wee while looking at that decade. I couldn’t find enough songs I knew/liked to do more than a single summary for the entire decade. Here they are:
1. That Old Black Magic – Judy Garland 2. Pennsylvania 65000 – The Andrews Sisters 3. White Christmas – Bing Crosby 4. Nature Boy – Nat King Cole 5. We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn 6. Deep In The Heart Of Texas – Bing Crosby 7. Pistol Packin’ Mama – Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters 8. These Foolish Things – Frank Sinatra 9. Over The Rainbow – Judy Garland 10. (There’ll Be Blue Birds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover – Vera Lynn 11. Swanee – Al Jolson 12. Whispering Grass – Ink Spots 13. The Trolley Song – Judy Garland
And a few bubbling under: You Are My Sunshine – Bing Crosby Lili Marlene – Anne Shelton Begin the Beguine – The Andrews Sisters If I Had My Way – Bing Crosby Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra! (That’s An Irish Lullaby) – Bing Crosby Don’t Fence Me in – Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive – Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters Meet Me in St. Louis – Judy Garland Saturday Night (is the Loneliest Night in the Week) – Frank Sinatra Moonlight Becomes You – Bing Crosby Nancy (With the Laughing Face) – Frank Sinatra
When it comes to guilty pleasures, you cannot whack Eurovision for splitting the country in the same way marmite does. For the longest while I’d been kinda take it or leave it, but the past couple of years, with proper parties have been such fun. And apart from the love for Graham Norton and a stack of prosecco, the watching of the iconic movie has now become an annual family ritual. Play Ja-ja Ding-dong!
This year saw us rooting for a number of different acts, including (but not limited to) Cyprus, Spain, Sweden, Czechia, Norway and Lithuania. Others worthy of note were Serbia, Albania, Australia, Belgium and Germany. Unfortunately, the UK entry, although it sounded really powerful on the radio, didn’t live up to its potential.
We were happy when the Swedish entry beat Finland’s energetic effort – despite nails which looked like they belonged on a fantasy/horror Netflix show, Loreen deserved her second win.
Earlier, we listened to Steve Wright’s run down of the top 40 UK. In addition to bringinging back some fun memories, it threw up some amazing facts. Like although we were joint 3rd with 5 wins, the UK have lodged the highest number of 2nd places (16). Here’s the top 20, as voted for by Radio 2 listeners:
1. Sam Ryder – Space Man (2022) – 2nd 2. Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up (1981) – Winner 3. Gina G – Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit (1996) 4. Katrina and the Waves – Love Shine a Light (1997) – Winner 5. Brotherhood of Man – Save Your Kisses for Me (1976) – Winner 6. Sandie Shaw – Puppet on a String (1967) – Winner 7. Cliff Richard – Congratulations (1968) – 2nd 8. The New Seekers – Beg, Steal or Borrow (1972) – 2nd 9. Lulu – Boom Bang-a-Bang (1969) – Joint Winner 10. Michael Ball – One Step Out of Time (1992) – 2nd 11. Sonia – Better the Devil You Know (1993) – 2nd 12. Bardo – One Step Further (1982) 13. Scooch – Flying the Flag (For You) (2007) 14. Mary Hopkin – Knock, Knock Who’s There? (1970) – 2nd 15. Imaani – Where Are You? (1998) – 2nd 16. Olivia Newton-John – Long Live Love (1974) – 4th 17. Daz Sampson – Teenage Life (2006) 18. Cliff Richard – Power to All Our Friends (1973) 19. Lucie Jones – Never Give Up on You (2017) 20. Lynsey de Paul & Mike Moran – Rock Bottom (1977) – 2nd
It turns out that Ireland are the the most successful country, first with Dana in 1970, two wins from Johnny Logan in the 80s and an unprecedented 3 years in a row from 92-94 and then again in 96.
Goodness me this one took a lorra, lorra research, but hopefully, I’ve only included enough to give you an immersive experience and not bored you with all the details which fascinated me.
So much stuff I never knew about Enigma codes and Bletchley Park (I even spent in a day a the place, cramming in as much as I could).
Apart from the memory of the whole family crowded round a tiny, blsck-and-white TV, I don’t remember much about the England/Germany game in 1966. I was only 6 at the time – old enough to know it was a big deal and love the pink wafer biscuits and Corona’s “ice-cream soda.”
This will give you a flavour of Kev’s decidely dodgy experiences: Kev buried his demons when he was 22. And dug them up again 22 years before he was born.
Shortly before paranoia sets in, Kev discovers the secret his housemates are keeping from him. The Time Capsule in the attic? It really works. His first time-travel jaunt has him witnessing a historic cup final, courtesy of Georgie, who reveals previously hidden depths.
When they’re paired in a WWII Bletchley Park role-play scenario, Kev sees a different side to her – while she thinks he totally rocks the trench coat and fedora as a 1940s spy. Bonus!
Obsessed with the Jules Rimet trophy-theft, he returns to 1966, where his investigation attracts unsavoury attention, and he has to dig deep for the skills to survive. With nasty side-effects. He didn’t mean for Georgie to bear the brunt, but what is it they say about hurting the one – no, seriously?
Anyway, you can pick up your copy of Time Kicks Back by clicking the link – a steal at £2.99/$3.49 or read for free on Kindle Unlimited. Continue the fun adventures of a bunch of 30-something geeks as they explore their family’s pasts with the aid of a temperamental time capsule in the attic. Although it can be read as a standalone, reading the other two first will give insight into the complicated relationships between them.
I’ve shown both of these to a number of my fabulous team, and so far it’s a tie. Which one do you prefer? Add a comment below. Ta xxx
Prologue 1 – 1940. “Neighbours, you are tedious.” Leonato attempted to sidestep the deranged constable, but he blocked the path. “If I were as tedious as a king, I would bestow it all on your worship.” His solemn delivery raised chuckles. “All thy tediousness on me, ha?”
Despite exquisite comic timing, completely unexpected from men with such serious day-jobs, the interplay couldn’t hold Clive’s attention as he ran through his lines for the next scene. The one he dreaded most. Not just the thirteen-line speech which tied his tongue in knots, but the thought of laying into the girl he’d grown dangerously fond of. Hettie, the object of his concern, whispered in his ear. “He’s remarkably good for a scientist. Should be on a West End stage.”
Trying to ignore the effect of her proximity, he whispered back. “We could all learn from his timing.” Even as his body responded to the fresh apple notes emanating from her glossy hair, his mind pondered on the slip-up. What would a girl like her know about London’s West End? Unless, as he suspected, she was playing him.
A stern glare from the director had them both zipping lips and he found himself recalling her ingenious solutions to the war-time shortages. The blush he found irresistibly endearing had accompanied her explanation of using cider vinegar to wash her hair and beetroot and Vaseline instead of lipstick. But that just drew his attention to her lips.
The call for act four curtailed his musings, and somehow he made it all the way to the end of his long speech without stumbling. A moment later, her face crumpled as he delivered the line denouncing her as “… an approved wanton.”
But that was just the start. The director’s notes to increase the physicality had her clinging to his arm as she pleaded and, when he flung her off, she stumbled, landing awkwardly on the floor. Hettie was a game girl, but he could tell she’d hurt herself, and could do nothing about it.
Finally, his part was done and he exited the stage area, oblivious to the rest of the scene except for her winces revealing the potential damage at his hands. But not for the right reasons.
The frisson he’d experienced at having her helpless at his feet had shocked and excited him in equal measure. Appalled by the powerful images running through his mind, he made a note to assess these inappropriate reactions threatening to blow his cover. And, more worryingly, to reveal a potential cruel streak.
Prologue 2 – 1966. In many ways, Kev’s entire life had been leading up to this moment. Admittedly, not exactly here in this less-than-salubrious pub, 22 years before he was actually born. But to a similar situation where all the life hacks resulting from his upbringing, education, and experiences coalesced.
Even the parts he’d played in school productions – thanks to a sympathetic drama teacher recognising his talent for slipping into a skin other than his own – came in handy.
He adopted the confidence and sleaze of a 60s spiv, made easier by Georgie’s assurance that he rocked the trench coat, fedora and slicked back hair. He’d had a teeny tiny tremor about the etiquette of wearing a hat indoors, and quite what you were supposed to do with the damned thing when you took it off. But Ben’s golden advice saw him in good stead – watch what the people around you do, and blend in. He sipped the pale ale with a grimace.
Prickles at the back of his neck and the odd snatched phrase alerted him to the increasing interest of a nearby table of thugs. He’d clocked them as the power centre in the room while at the bar, the mirror behind it being perfectly placed for that function. He mused that its original purpose was to make the mean selection of spirits appear twice the size. Also, given some of the seedy clientele, to give the landlord eyes in the back of his head.
Part of Kev’s training involved augmenting his senses to lessen his chances of being taken by surprise, and they were ganging up to inform him now would be a good time to bug out. He’d learnt as much as he could from this particular watering hole, and was unlikely to gain any further information about his prey by sticking around. Several bruises and the odd cracked rib, perhaps, but they’d have to catch him first.
He made his move and, by the time they entered the alley, he was ready for them.
JRo Author 