Thank you all for another fine fine day in Season 283. We've just over 70 vids on the playlist now and I've so loved hearing each minute of each song you've brought.
Well, when I think about the Summer of Love, of course, I think about everything going on in San Francisco. This summer I've really enjoyed reminiscing about that, as well as the events occurring in other places. With help from Wikipedia, here's an idea of what was going on in London:
In England, gatherings with a theme similar to that of the Summer of Love occurred in various places in London. The UFO Club in Tottenham Court Road, open from December 1966 to October 1967, was a gathering place where psychedelic musical groups such as Pink Floyd and the Soft Machine played, accompanied by light shows. Pink Floyd performed their 'Games For May' concert in May. The 14 Hour Technicolour Dream in the Alexandra Palace on April 29 was another major event, where amongst others, Pink Floyd, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Soft Machine, The Move, Tomorrow, and The Pretty Things played.
On 29 May in Spalding, Lincolnshire, the UKs first Rock festival was held, Barbeque 67.
A Legalise Pot Rally was held at Speakers' Corner on 16 July, led by activist Stephen Abrams, featuring Allen Ginsberg and assorted London policemen.
It was soundtracked by songs such as "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum, "Itchycoo Park" by the Small Faces, "All You Need Is Love" by the Beatles and "Hole In My Shoe" by Traffic. The Beatles were a major influence, particularly by releasing Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band on June 1. Much of the music was broadcast by certain radio stations, particularly Radio Caroline and Radio London, which introduced the DJ John Peel and his Perfumed Garden show.
The events were recorded and promoted by the newspaper International Times, also known as IT, and the magazine Oz.
Notable graphic artists included Hapshash and the Coloured Coat (who were Nigel Weymouth and Michael English), The Fool (a Dutch group, endorsed by the Beatles), and Martin Sharp.
Many of the fashion shops, known as boutiques, such as Granny Takes A Trip, Hung On You and Dandie Fashions were on or near the Kings Road. These were where psychedelic clothing, such as kaftans, Victoriana, mini skirts and everything floral could be found.
Major promoters included John 'Hoppy' Hopkins, who helped establish the International Times, a hippie newspaper. He established the London Free School and the UFO psychedelic club and promoted the 14 Hour Technicolor Dream with Barry Miles, a writer who established the Indica Gallery and Bookshop. Paul McCartney was particularly vocal in his endorsement of the new fashions.
The establishment was mystified by and frightened of the new fashions, which were ridiculed by the tabloid press. Some notable arrests included Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Robert Fraser and John 'Hoppy' Hopkins. The Times published an editorial headlined ‘Who Breaks A Butterfly On A Wheel?’ denouncing the arrest of Mick Jagger and Keith Richard.