1956-1963: Your Memories

[Commander Kielbasa]

For older members here....

What do you remember of the era roughly between the time of Elvis' breakthrough to the death of JFK? I'm not talking about politics. But was that era the era of parents' fears of juvenile deliquency - that teens wearing leather jackets were a menace who'd stab you in a heartbeat? Was it the era of malt shops, hot rods, and surf music as has been portrayed in movies and TV? What do you remember being the trends - fashion - the beehive for women? Or was that just in for older women? Did girls under 30 wear pants in this time? What do you remember of your parents' generation - the people who were born in the 1910s-1930s? I just ask because I view this era as being one of the most fascinating at least in American history. A time when people really thought we'd have flying cars by now, when guys dressed spiffy and girls wore pretty dresses, with really pretty Doo Wop and hard edged rock - something brand new - on the radio. The first era in history that 'teenager' was recognized as a distinct agegroup and catered to. The birth of the Saturday Morning Cartoon.

I ask also because I grew up in the 90s - I was born in 1990 - My childhood I feel was one of the most banal times in history and I don't have much more than scant childhood memories of a time before the Internet and cell phones. I'd like to know about this era of (flawed) Pax Americana - after WWII and before JFK died. I'd like to hear what you remember so it's preserved, so maybe our descendants in the 23rd century can read about those times.

 

[T'Bonz]

I was tiny then (my first non-family memory was JFK's funeral which happened when I was in Kindergarten) but I can answer one thing - when it came to going most places (school, church, jobs), girls wore dresses/skirts. I wasn't allowed to wear anything but a dress or skirt/top to school until 7th grade (Sept 1970). School rules, not my parents' rules.

 

[Australis]

Oh gosh, that's stretching the memory.

I too remember the JFK funeral, I can still see that little boy saluting his dad, it made me sad then and still saddens me today.

The only other relevant memory from then was actually the following year (1964). In those days you could leave your kid in the car while you went into the bank, which was what my parents did (can still see the sign (ES&A Bank). They'd left the radio on, and I was listening... and then this song came on. It had an insistent beat and guitar, and a voice smooth and compelling. That kind of analysis came later, all I thought at the time was "wow, I like this song." And then it go to a bit where everything stopped except the drums and the voice. "I guess I'll go on home it's late, there'll be tomorrow night, but wait... what do I see?" I'd never heard anything like that before, and I went "wow" again. That was probably a formative moment of developing an interest in music.

Elvis... I dunno, he never really reached me, though many years later I listened to an original recording of 'Heartbreak Hotel' ,and got immediately why it took off.

As for fashion and trends, I was a little boy in a new country, so that was all way beyond me. I just remember people being nice. My parents struggled a little, in anew place, but... I wouldn't change those years, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Velocity]

I was in 5th grade when Kennedy was killed. We heard the teachers crying out in the hallway and then our teacher came in and told us what had happened. Our first tv only got 3 channels and NBC was always snowy. It was about a 12 inch screen and the picture was black and white only. I didn't really pay much attention to music then (I was 3 in 1956), but I did watch American Bandstand and The Hop later and my family watched the Ed Sullivan Show so I guess I saw Elvis. At least part of him.
My parents were born in 1920 and so were greatly affected by the Great Depression. They didn't spend money without deliberation. Shoes were re-soled more than once. Things were saved just in case it all went to hell again. In the 30s my Aunt B was sent to the store with a 20 dollar bill and and she lost it. It was such a big deal to the family that they still talked about it decades later. People had a very strong sense of duty back then and bragging about yourself was really frowned on.
My mother only wore dresses, not slacks, until the 70s. No one I knew wore a beehive but French twists were "in".

 

[Nerys Myk]

I was four in 1963. I don't recall Kennedy's funeral. Most of the memories are of the US Air Force Base I lived on in Japan. The playground at the housing complex where we lived and the Huckleberry Hound plush I carried around. I'm sure since it was an Air Force Base there was a lot of activity on the base because of the assassination. My mother told me the Base went on lock down. But at four one doesn't notice such things.

From the pictures I've seen, my mom didn't rock the Beehive. Dad's hair had to be kept to a military length. As did mine!

 

[T'Bonz]

My aunts used to babysit me in the early 1960s and they were teens who played 50s music. American Bandstand was definitely on the TV in our house and I kinda liked it as a kid. I remember liking "Duke of Earl" but most of the other 50s music - ugh. Still don't like 50s music.

Cars were big and roomy. Our city still had streetcars and everyone got dressed up for Easter, even if only going to Grandma's house for dinner.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Cars were big and roomy. Our city still had streetcars and everyone got dressed up for Easter, even if only going to Grandma's house for dinner.

Yeah, I've got picture of my sisters in Easter dresses and myself in a tiny suit. I guess it's still a thing as I see the dresses and tiny suits for sale in stores.