50 years since the Beatles were in Australia. Was the 60's the best era to live in?

[Ken Gargett]

Yes, by far, this was the standout era in popular music in the 20th century. I was born in 1972, yet I always come back to this era as the most innovative in music in the last 50 years. I very much wish that I could have seen The Beatles play at Sydney Stadium in June 1964. This stadium was at Rushcutters Bay, it made way for the Eastern Suburbs Railway Line in the 1970s. If you are a Sydney resident, you'll know how busy Martin Place, Kings Cross, Edgecliff and Bondi Junction train stations are! Sydney Stadium hosted Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, The Who, The Small Faces, Cliff Richard et al.

i could probably do without cliff richard.

saw dylan several times, none better than brizzy late 70s. slept outside festival hall to get tickets - well, no one slept - great atmosphere. as much fun as the concert. this was budokan days. great concert. this is an incomplete set list. there are a couple i remember missing.

it was a bit historic, i'm told (okay, not quite 'going electric' but ...) seems that it was the first time he had ever done two encores. i do remember that it took a while to get him out for the first but at least 10-15 minutes to get him out for the second. no one left. just kept up a never-ending chant of more.

one of the best concerts i've ever seen.

1. Love Her With a Feelin'
   (Tampa Red cover)
2. Mr. Tambourine Man
3. I Threw It All Away
4. Shelter from the Storm
5. Love Minus Zero/No Limit
6. Girl From the North Country
7. Ballad of a Thin Man
8. Maggie's Farm
9. To Ramona
10. Oh, Sister
11. Simple Twist of Fate
12. All Along the Watchtower
13. The Man in Me
14. All I Really Want to Do
15. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
16. Forever Young
17. The Times They Are A-Changin'
18. Knockin' on Heaven's Door

[anacostiakat]

The sixties were great to be young!

But I think it really depends on your context. It is like the old question of if you had your choice would you like to live in the past, current or future.

A lot of folks answer the past because of nostalgia and a "simpler" life style. But for me, the medical advantages of the future alone makes it an easy "future" answer for me!

YMMV

[Quint]

Not much of a Dylan fan, his voice sounds like an annoying whining preteen in a restaurant. But you can't argue that he was one of the most significant influential artists of early rock and roll. His lyrics and song writing are amongst the best in and era of the best.

[Jeremy Festa]

Was the '60's the best era to live in?

It was better than the '50's, but not as good as the '70's which were almost as good as the '80's which just fell short of the '90's which come third after the '00's and '10's.

There's no time like now! Musically, artistically, culturally, medically or technologically.

It's nice to reminisce though.

Sent from my iPhone

[Quint]

Was the '60's the best era to live in?

It was better than the '50's, but not as good as the '70's which were almost as good as the '80's which just fell short of the '90's which come third after the '00's and '10's.

There's no time like now! Musically, artistically, culturally, medically or technologically.

It's nice to reminisce though.

Sent from my iPhone

Disagree with this on so many levels. But that's just my take. But today IMO is most definitely not better musically or artistically, and questionably culturally. Medical and technology has certainly advanced or gotten better. But it can be debated that lots of modern technology is contributing to a downfall in society and culture. And some medical technology is keeping people alive much longer than they should be from a quality of life perspective.

[Jeremy Festa]

Disagree with this on so many levels. But that's just my take. But today IMO is most definitely not better musically or artistically, and questionably culturally. Medical and technology has certainly advanced or gotten better. But it can be debated that lots of modern technology is contributing to a downfall in society and culture. And some medical technology is keeping people alive much longer than they should be from a quality of life perspective.

That's cool. It's not just your take though. Many more are with you. For me, what I was alluding to, is that it's about the ability to draw on previous decades that makes 'now' better.

Almost half of all musical genres that exist today didn't exist before the late '80's.

Artistically, we are so far beyond what has existed in the last 60 years or so it's ridiculous. And this comes from the ability to reference and be inspired by everything that has come before. Whether it be pure art, music, performance or even sport.

Your debate on medical and technological advances are a little far fetched though. Two quick examples; firstly, my dad is only 68 and has survived two different bouts of cancer and plays golf and cooks everyday. Frothing on life! And secondly, we are having a pretty rad discussion, almost about everything, on the Internet, because we both love cigars.

Sent from my iPhone

[Ken Gargett]

There's no time like now! Musically.

Sent from my iPhone

and i think most of us give thanks for that!

[smokum]

Born in '56 . Watched them on Ed Sullivan. 60's and 70's were the best for me. Depends on what you like. Many of the best guitarists got their starts then. They were innovators. So much has improved but, I wil take vinyl records and a tube amp any day !

[ogus]

50's-90's had good music.

If you are under 17 then you have not experienced what 'good new music' is.

[Dave O)))]

So many old farts on nostalgia trips in this thread. To say that one era was musically superior than another is entirely subjective. No time like the present, providing you have an open mind and know where to look. Music and art inexorably continues to develop just like technology does, it's just that the good stuff is hidden from view and requires a little effort to uncover, which is worth it if you have the stones to handle it.

[muzz]

Haha, I feel so much younger after reading this thread. Amazed you old folk are so good with the interwebz!

[Smallclub]

I feel so much smarter after reading this thread.