History Of R&R Group Presentation

By: Steven Dobbs, William Sandall, Terrie Belt and Megan Waller

It was during the 1960’s when America’s youth began to challenge and question all authority

figures and stand up for their beliefs.

They demonstrated these beliefs publicly and proudly by: protesting, rallies, marches, lyrically

through song, and many other ways.

However, to truly understand the reasoning behind the youth’s rebellion one must first understand the monumental events that occurred in those

short 10 years.

1965-1973 Vietnam War

“Fighting soldiers from the skyfearless men who jump and die men who mean just what they

say the brave men of the Green

BeretSilver wings upon their chestthese are men Americas best

one hundred men will test today but

only three win the Green Beret” Ballad of the Green Beret- SSgt. Barry Sadler (1966)

“How much do I knowTo talk out of turn

You might say that I'm young

You might say I'm unlearned

But there's one thing I know

Though I'm younger than you

Even Jesus would neverForgive what you do”

Masters of War- Bob Dylan (1963)

1965 March from Selma to Montgomery

“It's been too hard living but I'm afraid

to dieCuz I don't know what's up there beyond the sky

It's been a long, a long time coming

but I knowA change gon' come

oh yes it will”

A Change is Gonna Come- Sam Cooke (1964)

1966 National Organization for Women

“Oh, a little respectYeah, baby, I want a little respect

Now, I get tired, but I keep on tryin'Runnin' out of foolin', I ain't lyin'

Yes, respect, all I need is respect”

RESPECT- Aretha Franklin (1968)

• 1960 Students for a Democratic Society Established• 1960 John F. Kennedy elected President• 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion• 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis• 1963 MLK “I Have a Dream” speech• 1963 John F. Kennedy assassination• 1964 Lynden B. Johnson elected President• 1964 Civil Rights Act• 1964-65 Free Speech Student Movement Protest- U.C. Berkley• 1965 National Voting Rights Act• 1965 Malcolm X assassination• 1966 Black Panthers are formed• 1968 Robert F. Kennedy assassination• 1968 National Democratic Convention- Chicago 7• 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. assassination• 1968 Richard Nixon elected President• 1969 Stonewall Riots• 1969 US landed on the moon• 1969 Vietnam War Draft implemented• 1969 Woodstock

Other Important Events that Impacted the Youth

The youth of the 60’s rebelling against the normalcy of the 50’s were looking for a fresh

approach and new culture to become a part of. The rebellion was met with acceptance from Dr.

Timothy Leary and Ken Kesey, adults who shared the same philosophy on life and were

instrumental in leading the younger generation to reject “the establishment” and look to

psychedelic drugs to lead to a higher consciousness. Whether you chose to believe

the drugs enhanced the music or the music enhanced the drugs…the anti-establishment theme can be heard in the music of the era.

In 1962 Ken Kesey wrote the novel, One

Flew Over the Cuckoos’ Nest, which was inspired by his

involvement in Project MKULTRA. The study

evaluated the effects of psychoactive drugs on

people.

In 1964, Kesey and his followers called, The

Merry Pranksters, traveled cross country in a school bus painted in

psychedelic colors named “Further”.

The trip was a drug filled journey through America

offering LSD to any willing participants.

Kesey frequently hosted “Acid Tests" involving his

favorite band, The Warlocks, known now as

The Grateful Dead. Jerry Garcia, of the Grateful

Dead, is quoted saying, "the acid tests allowed us to play with a certain kind of freedom that you rarely

get as a musician..."