The Times
The senior class of 1969 were welcomed back to campus in the Fall of 1968 with a heightened sense of activism as college campuses became the quintessential location for protests and the site of confrontation between students and perceived authority. America’s youth were mad as hell due to the pressing issues of social injustice and the ongoing war in Vietnam.
Imagine moving back into your dorm in the Fall of 1968 after experiencing the assassinations of both Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy Jr., the formation of the SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) where college administration buildings were occupied by students, and the chaos and violence during the August 1968 Democratic National Convention leading to the arrests of Yippie founders Jerry Rubin and Abby Hoffman of the Chicago 8. It was certainly a year that changed history.
As chaotic as the first half of 1968 was, by that Fall, the nation was also riveted by coverage of the Apollo Space program aimed at putting a man on the moon. Between October 11th, 1968 and May 18th, 1969, Apollo 7, 8, 9 and 10 had been successfully launched and returned to Earth with astronauts on board. Apollo 10’s mission was to scout lunar locations for the upcoming moon landing and was called the “full rehearsal” of Apollo 11 where we all watched the historic moonwalk on the Sea of Tranquility by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on July 20th, 1969.
Spring semester in 1969 began with Richard M. Nixon being sworn in as our 37th President, on January 20th, 1969. The newly elected President declared that he had a plan to end the Vietnam War and secure “peace with honor” for the United States and for its ally, South Vietnam. It took Nixon all 4 years of his presidency to disengage the United States from the war.
On March 20th, 1969 John Lennon and Yoko Ono married in Gibraltar and honeymooned in hotel room 702 at the Amsterdam Hilton and a few months later at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. Their “Bed-Ins for Peace” protesting the Vietnam War was seen around the world. Three weeks after the wedding, John, with help from Paul McCartney recorded “The Ballad of John and Yoko”.
“Drove from Paris to the Amsterdam Hilton
Talking in our beds for a week
The news people said: ‘say what you doing in bed’
I said ‘we’re only trying to get us some peace’”
During their “Bed-In” in Montreal, John wrote “Give Peace A Chance” and recorded it in the hotel room in Montreal. The anti-war anthem was released on July 7, 1969.
The music of 1968/1969 saw both the British Invasion and the Summer of Love’s Psychedelic sounds in the rear-view mirror. Now more than ever, musicians felt it was important to capture the spirit of the times echoing a nation in turmoil. Radio airwaves were filled with “Time Has Come Today” by The Chambers Brothers, “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye, “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival and “Something In The Air” by Thunderclap Newman.
Notable Events (right click the highlighted buttons for video)
Apollo 7, First Manned and Televised Space Launch – October 11, 1968
Apollo 10, Full Rehearsal of the Upcoming Moon Landing – May 18th, 1969
CONCERTS THAT CAME TO CORTLAND 1968/1969
THE SHIRELLES
An American girl group from Passaic, NJ, The Shirelles have been credited with launching the girl group genre in 1957 and the first girl group to hit # 1 with “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” Their audience, both black and white, predated the Motown era and reflected the early success of the civil rights movement. The Shirelles were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and named one the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time from Rolling Stone Magazine in 2004. Their hit “Tonight’s The Night” was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry as being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.
Songs played in concert in 1968/1969 (Homecoming Concert)
“Mama Said”
“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”
“Tonight’s The Night”
“Soldier Boy”
THE SYRACUSE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – LYCEUM
Founded in 1961, The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra was predominantly a regional community orchestra that played in upstate NY. They were a 79-member orchestra and the 43rd largest orchestra in the U.S. At the time of their performance at Cortland, the orchestra was directed by Karl Kritz, their very first Music Director. Sadly, Kritz passed away shortly after the performance on campus.
Songs 1968/1969
“The Fox Hunt”
THE LETTERMEN
Formed in 1959, The Lettermen were a successful vocal group featuring tight harmonies and light arrangements. They had a successful career throughout most of the 1960s and by 1969, when they performed at Cortland, they were singing mainly to audiences that might have been feeling a bit left behind with the current sound of the times.
Songs 1968/1969
“Hurts So Bad”
“Shangri-La”
PENNY LANG
A Canadian singer songwriter, Penny Lang performed at the Coffee House in Corey Union. Her impressive interpretations and original songs crossed folk, blues, country and gospel genres, with a devoted following. She was an emotional singer who musical themes focused on the human condition with a talent for creating a community through song.
Songs 1968/1969
“Ain’t Life Sweet”
THE ELECTRIC ELVES
Formed in Cortland in 1967 as a Blues Rock band, The Electric Elves performed on campus a few years before as Ronnie Dio and The Prophets as they moved from early 60’s pop to a harder rock edge. By the time The Electric Elves were booked in 1969, they had already shortened their name to The Elves. The band’s name was a lighthearted nod to Ronnie Dio’s 5’4” stature and included his cousin David Feinstein on guitar who currently owns Cortland’s HOLLYWOOD Restaurant!
Songs 1968/1969
“Hey, Look Me Over”
“It Pays To Advertise”
CHAMBERS BROTHERS
The booking of The Chambers Brothers for Spring Weekend was a big deal in 1969. Their single “Time Has Come Today” was a massive hit with a strong message. The band’s sound was a fusion of American blues and gospel with psychedelia and rock, along with a multi-cultural line up which secured their place in music history. Although free-form radio, like campus station WCSU-FM, was able to play the original 11-minute version of “Time Has Come Today,” a radio-friendly, shorter single was rereleased in the Fall of 1968, spending 5 weeks at #11 on the charts.
Songs 1968/1969
“Time Has Come Today”
“People Get Ready”