1968 was the first year of real experimentation in Art Rock. Of course “The British Invasion” was still in force, but a lot of those bands were becoming more progressive in nature with an extended sound. As a result, many three-minute Pop standards gave way to much longer, drawn-out compositions and performances. In my opinion, 1968 was definitely the first year that showcased Rock music as a true art form.

Psychedelic bands like Iron Butterfly, Vanilla Fudge and Frijid Pink all hit the scene back in 1968.  And The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pink Floyd, Santana and Big Brother & the Holding Company all continued to lead the way.

Also In 1968:

• Minimum wage in the U.S. was $1.60 per hour
• The average annual income was only $7,844
• A new car set you back $2,822
• You could build a new house for $14,975
• A loaf of bread was 22 cents
• A full-service gallon of gas was 34 cents
• First Class postage was only 6 cents

1968 World News Headlines:

• Vietnam Reds launched the Tet Offensive
• North Korea captured the U.S. surveillance ship, The Pueblo
• Soviet tanks invaded Prague, Czechoslovakia
• The Summer Olympic Games were held in Mexico City
• The first commercial flights began between New York and Moscow
• Jackie Kennedy married Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis

1968 U.S. News Headlines:

• On April 4th, Martin Luther King was killed by an assassin in Memphis, Tennessee
• Two months later, on June 5th while on the campaign trail, Senator Robert Kennedy was killed by an assassin in Los Angeles
• Richard Nixon won the presidency in a close election
• Dr. Benjamin Spock was indicted for giving anti-draft advice
• Apollo astronauts orbited the moon for the first time

The top TV shows in 1968:  The Andy Griffith Show, Lost in Space, The Man from UNCLE, Flipper, The Saint, The Avengers, Adam-12, The Archies, It Takes a Thief, The Name of the Game, The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, Here Come the Brides, and Happening ’68.

Favorite movies from 1968:  2001: A Space Odyssey, Planet of the Apes, Bullitt, Rosemary’s Baby, Night of the Living Dead, Yellow Submarine, The Odd Couple, Oliver!, The Producers, Romeo & Juliet, Barbarella, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Charly, Funny Girl, Ice Station Zebra, and The Lion in Winter.

So who were your top bands and artists from this year?  Share your favorites, plus any thoughts, and opinions!  I’d love to get your feedback and your comments.

You can listen to the music of 1968 streaming right now on TuneIn and Live 365!

Thanks for checking us out and thank you for listening to our live Retro Album Rock internet radio stream!

– Fred