Hal Lifson is in love with the year 1966. He believes it represents the high water mark for pop culture.
And, looking at the media, games, toys, and other products introduced in that year, it’s hard to argue with him. Here are just a few things the world had never seen or heard until 1966:
- The Batman TV show
- The Green Hornet
- Star Trek
- The Endless Summer
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds
- The Beatles Revolver
- Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde
49 years later, these TV shows, movies, and record albums are still known and loved.
Lifson, who was born in 1960 (the same year I was) has amassed a huge collection of products, posters, and ephemera from 1966, and the photos and nostalgic descriptions of the comic books, toys, games, records, and junk food in his book, Hal Lifson’s 1966! bring back lots of memories. For instance, I remember the first time I got Wham-O Super Stuff. It was a powder that you added water to and shook in a plastic tub until it turned into a stretchy pink goop. Lifson reminded me of Super Stuff’s unique scent, which I can still conjure up in my mind today.
There’s also a music CD of the same name, which has classic track from 1996. (I made a Spotify soundtrack, which has most of the songs on it.)
