Stories of our youth
Memories, stories and photographs from the youth of u3a members, preserving everyday experiences of twentieth century Britain.
Memories, stories and photographs from the youth of u3a members, preserving everyday experiences of twentieth century Britain.
Stories
Memories
Wouldn't it be nice, The Beach Boys
During the summer of 1966 following A levels, some of us decided to hitchhike around Europe. Two of us ended up in Venice but my musical memory is of the Beach Boys on a juke box with Wouldn’t it be nice and meeting American G.I.s who were our age in the Hofbräuhaus in Munich. They were just so glad not to be in Viet Nam - and so were we!
The circle is unbroken, The Incredible String Band
In my late teens early 20s my favourite by far was The Incredible String Band, with its combination of cool hippiness and Celtic mysticism. Of all their many wonderful compositions I would choose The Circle is Unbroken, which speaks to a profound unity of purpose underlying our everyday conflict-riven lives.
It's too late, Carole King
This was the first time I had my heart broken and I remember playing this over and over again on Dial A Disc, I imagined the girl was singing this to me. After all this time, when I hear the first few bars the pain comes straight back to me.
Thunder road, Bruce Springsteen
As a teenager, I had quickly cycled through phases of liking soul and Motown, then hard rock followed by prog, and then a dalliance with whey-faced singer-songwriters. When I heard the “Born To Run” album, and this track in particular, my first reaction was “I didn’t know you were allowed to write songs like that!”. That opening harmonica riff still gives me shivers.