Flower Power Flashback: Fifty Years Ago -September, 1966
Step back in time with us and remember these amazing moments that took place in September, 50 years ago…
The Flower Power Cruise’s very own Micky Dolenz was introduced to the world when The Monkees debuted on NBC on September 12, 1966.
It was a groundbreaking month for television shows. Star Trek also made its television debut on NBC, Mission Impossible on CBS and That Girl on ABC. Jerry Lewis hosted the very first Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. 60 million people tuned in to watch the feature film The Bridge on the River Kwai air on television. And the Rolling Stones performed on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Timothy Leary announced he founded the psychedelic religion the League for Spiritual Discovery and delivered the era’s defining phrase “turn on, tune in, drop out.”
The Chevrolet Camaro went on sale for the very first time.
The Beatles hit #1 with “Revolver” and stayed at the top of the album charts for six weeks. Fans couldn’t get enough of the Fab Four - “Yellow Submarine” reached Gold status that very same month.
Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls topped the New York Times Best Seller List, sitting there for 28 weeks. We were also reading The Adventurers by Harold Robbins and The Source by James Michener.
Jimmy Hendrix changed his name to Jimi Hendrix.
Sophia Loren graced the cover of Life magazine in a controversial transparent gown.
We listened to Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman,” The Supremes’ “Can’t Hurry Love” and The Association’s “Cherish” so much that they topped the singles charts.
“The Bible: In The Beginning…” starring John Huston, Richard Harris, George C. Scott, Peter O’Toole and Ava Gardner opened in movie theaters nationwide. Despite running nearly three hours long, the film went on to become the highest-grossing movie of the year.