Post #181222 by donhonyc on Mon, Aug 22, 2005 4:35 PM

"I believe that a vast majority of the folks in the "hippie" scene and at Woodstock were into it for social reasons - to fit in, meet people, get drugs, have sex, and hear music - rather then for political reasons. Not that there is anything wrong with those motivations; they are what youth is all about! But why don't they just admit that they wanted to party?"

Yeah, I hear you. Totally agree. "Alice's Restaurant" was on the Sundance Channel the other night, and while it''s a pretty cool little relic from back then, I kinda cringe during certain parts. I'm not saying every person of that generation was socially/politically aware. Lots of them were just 'along for the ride' as my Uncle says. He was of the age then, and couldn't give a sh*t either away about politics, just basically partying his ass off all the time. But where did we get 'sex, drugs, and rock n roll' from? Definitely them, no doubt. So I'm not sure they were always trying to hide beind their political self righteousness.

"The"hippie" generation is constantly putting their scene and era up on some pedestal, when in reality they were NOT able to stop the Vietnam war (it in fact got worse in the early 70s), increase civil rights (most of these accomplishments were in the 1950's and early 60s), or influence political or social change to any great extent (without getting into a political discussion just look at what has happened in the past few years). The only success story that some of them contributed to was the women's rights movement."

Mmmm...Yeah...Look, I'm fairly educated as far as American history goes, but there are others who are definitely more up on it than I am, that's for sure. Maybe you're right on a more specific level about giving too much credit to the 60s youth, but let's face it..they WERE the anti-war movement, and they did have a part in changing peoples minds, and stopping that war. But, my point, generally speaking is that, at the very least it seems that they were more educated, active, and committed to doing 'something' constructive whether or not they played a huge part in Civil Rights, etc.

"I don't think the "hippie" era needs any defending against criticism. I feel that the media (especially the music media) gives them too much positive attention already."

I don't necessarily agree or disagree. But what do you mean the music media gives them too much attention. Maybe you mean the music industry gives them too much attention. Whatever the case, I just find it a little annoying..for lack of a better word..when that era is defined by pot, tie-dye, headbands, and bloodshot eyes. No question about it, that did happen. But for example their icons were Dylan, The Beatles, Hendrix, etc. Today's icon for youth is a silouhetted dancing hipster for iPod. And I also think that people have a tendency to forget about The Weather Underground, SDS, The Yippies, The East Village Other, The Diggers, and other youth community/activist groups, newspapers, radio stations, etc. Okay...maybe their plans failed, in fact most of them did. But as I said before, effort was put forth. Maybe the Weather Underground is a bad example to include here. Were they militant , pissed, and unnessarily destructive? Yes. Were they knuckleheads? No.

"Listen to the Mothers of Invention's album "We're Only in it For the Money" (a great parody of Sgt. Pepper's and much better and funnier IMO) from 1967 for an interesting alternative viewpoint of the Summer of Love."

That is one of my all-time favorite records. Total masterpiece. But I don't think Zappa was parodying Sgt. Pepper as much as he was paradying the 'phony hippies' and all that. Parodying the Sgt. Pepper cover, yeah. But as far as I know he and John Lennon mutually respected each other as musicians.

"oh my hair is getting good in the back"/"I will love everyone. I will love the police as they kick the shit out of me on the street"

Yeah...every generation has it's poseurs, and the hippies were no exception. Kinda reminds me of what it's like right now in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I haven't seen a bigger bunch of pompous posuers like that in years. But as far as say San Francisco, remember what George Harrison said after his surprise visit to Haight/Ashbury? I don't remember the quote, but it was something like "look, if your going to drop out of society..do something with your time. don't just sleep in the park and get high all the time" or something like that.