An Ordinary Man Remembers His Extraordinary 1960s Days
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 มิ.ย. 2024
- To support my efforts to create more clips please donate to me at www.patreon.com/allinaday. This is another interview that I conducted in 1989 as part of my research for my 6 part public television series, Making Sense of the Sixties. Presented here are the outtakes from what was used in the programs. I find it interesting that if he could, this man would continue to live as he lived back then. It was clearly a time when he felt a unique form of freedom.
- ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
He remembers "going on the road" in the 60's as a well to do young man. I went on the road at age 17 in 1965 as a working class kid..After dropping out of high school along with my best friend who was 16. We thumbed around sleeping along the highway back to back with newspaper for blankets. Slept in cemeteries,no one bothers you there. Went hungry, stole cheese ,milk and bought a loaf of bread in Baltimore ,the best "meal" I ever had. Got a ride with a guy who was with the Clyde Beatty Cole Brothers Circus,he offered us a job. You had to be 18 to work there but he didn't ask and we didn't tell. Met some crazy people but eventually had to leave when my friend got in a fight and beat up his boss.. (My friend had boxed golden gloves) We went back to Pittsburgh,my friend forged the age on his birth certificate and joined the Navy. By the time the Navy found out he had turned 17 so he was able to stay in. I worked construction ,drank a lot of beer, got in fights, went to dances. Found out about a "Great Society " program that allowed a drop out to earn a high school diploma, not a GED if you went to school 4 hours a night for a solid year ,no summer break, only major holidays off. Met a whole lot of other really crazy people there, one I'm still friends with one to this day. Went to a graduation party at apartment of a guy I was about to graduate with. I took a case of Iron City Beer and was trying to drink my share when a gorgeous red head with legs , what legs walked in, an x girl friend of my host. (He was hoping to get back together with her !) Like most working class men in 1967 I ended up in the service.. Came out, spent a career working as a Railroad Signalman, dug a lot of ditches, climbed a lot of poles with belt and spurs. Had a family,2 kids,5 grand kids retired. The red head and I will be married 47 years in December and she still has those legs !
Well written, great story. Thank you for this.
Really cool story!
A life well lived i'd say, very good story my man. I wish you all the best!
on ya, mate!
Fully enjoyed this story :). What a great life you've had
Mr. Hoffman, I don’t know if you will read this comment, but as a 16 year old high schooler, I’d just like you to know that I watch your videos everyday and I’ve learned more from them than I ever have in any history class. They provide me with a truly valuable insight into the past, a retelling of history through the eyes of ordinary people with extraordinary stories, so thank you.
Elior Lubliner You seem to have an old soul, like me. Your very lucky to have these to watch. I grew up before smartphones and I didn’t really understand the world too much I only had movies and Tv to understand how people were in the past. Your very lucky....
Very good perspective! You're doing Great, kid!!!
Elior Lubliner I’m 17 and I also find these videos very interesting.
Love seeing young men and women learning about true history and especially when they find Jesus sincerely- personally ❤️
I’m 21 , I definetly feel this ! Blessing us with knowledge. My dad is part of this generation and we definitely vibe on certain subjects because of my interest on this time period.
I could binge watch these all day , I agree these videos are important. It's preserving history of the everyday man.
The "history" you mention. and the "everyday man" you include in your comment, may have been really "far out". But what, in the end, did it offer to humanity in the end?
@@mvdeano your boring..they lived a great life ..you never will.
@@Laffy1345 Boring? Answer the question!
@@mvdeano I did your boring
@@Laffy1345 Wanna nother hit of acid?
Wow, I didn't know that Ian McCollum from Forgotten Weapons has been around for so long, no wonder he knows so much about history, he's actually an old man who's lived through it.
Benjamin button apparently
I also thought it really looks like him lol
I knew I wasn’t the only one who noticed the resemblance
@@charlesbeal8066 I first thought that I was the only one, glad to be wrong.
This is an actual American Man, show this to anyone not from the states and this is the good old fashioned American Man. Good dude.
lol
@youmayberight you're simple response is refreshing lol.
This ordinary man is as deep as an ocean.
As a boomer, I am always thankful that I grew up in the Analog-Mechanical Age and then slowly slipped into the Digital Age. There were (and are) great things about both ages of course but it is amazing to have lived through both. I was 35 years old before I even TOUCHED a computer let alone operate one, and now I use them everyday ... if only to watch TH-cam videos. LOL
Same here. I have a tv but no cable or dish hooked up to it. I request most any dvd movie through the local library and watch it through the disc player in the tv. Of course I am watching youtube a lot too : )
Yeah. Something about that - being able to function in an entirely analog environment - it gives you a perspective that the digerati will never appreciate and who are going to be at a disadvantage when the shit hits the fan.
-A little spliff and YT at night, perfect! It's the only thing I watch, it's got millions of fantastic videos, love it. :)
I was born in 67, I lived thru some of this.
I am 69 and spent the sixty's in LA down at the beach what a great time to live the best time of my life
hey there me too.. i lived in venice beach and later in santa monica... wonderful time for roller skating and girls.. lol
@@sherman3385 I'm 70 and I'm here. WTF?
@@MrWadsox i think todays 70yos are more tech savvy than a decade or so
chrisiden my mom was born and raised in Venice Beach, circa 1947, then moved to Arkansas when she was in high school which is where I was born. Always wondered how my life would be different if my grandparents stayed in SoCal.
Richard Fettig I am 69. Grew up in Lakewood. Spent time at the beaches along Pacific Coast Highway from Long Beach to Laguna Beach and everywhere in between.
Man, this guy reminds me of an old hippie I knew in ‘93-‘94, named Wild Bill Johnston. What a guy, I was a 20 year old kid who looked up to him so much, he was a cook and me and my buddy Mike were dishwashers. We smoked so much pot back then. Wild Bill got the idea to spike the sausage cheese balls with pot at the company’s Christmas party. He didn’t tell anyone except us. Jeezus, everyone was so stoned, and me and Mike kept shoving those awesome sausage balls in our mouths the entire night. The management was laughing hysterically and had no idea why. We all watched the Super Bowl, and me and Mike didn’t even give a rats ass about football. Damn, Wild Bill is the reason I have a mustache and no beard now, always thought this look this guys has looked just bad ass and cool. RIP Wild Bill Johnston. You were a hell of a guy. We’ll always remember you.
'I got dancing shoes when it comes to going. '
what a soulful line
The 50’s and 60’s were extraordinary, can’t say it any other way. Of course we can describe our experiences but for me it is difficult to explain the sense of social trust and innocence that prevailed during that era given the back drop and social upheaval of the big city riots, the tragic violent deaths of the Kennedy brothers and Rev King, the Vietnam War, and the spectre of communism. The music, movies and the arts were sensational, even magical. I came from a working class family, but the sense of family was strong, and we didn’t know we were poor. The quality of schools and education was...better. In our youth we all had the same sense of adventure. We spent much time playing sports, bicycling, fishing, camping, and hunting. But, we also spent hours in libraries and museums. Many of us were voracious readers too, because it fed our imaginations. As children we walked or ventured anywhere anytime in the neighborhood and community unaccompanied without fear. Because, I think we all had the same sense of what was right and wrong.
To be clear, I knew everything was NOT perfect. I was aware that not all was right in the world. And, that not everyone were having the same quality and kinds of experiences as me.
The Vietnam war changed my life (I became a man?). I won’t say much to avoid the cliche’s. I survived my combat tour in part to the therapy music of the Moody Blues and the support of a small Christian prayer group led by an Army Captain, a surgeon in our base camp.
The GI Bill got me a college education. Over the next 40 years I retired from active duty in the US Army and from the Boeing Airplane Company. I’m now 68 years old and I had front row seat to the changes in my country and in the world. It’s been one heck of a ride.
It's awesome to imagine everything you said, Great story
Alexander Jenkins
You are 100% correct! No matter what government programs are implemented or imposed, no matter the school curriculum, and no matter how good the teacher; if the student is from a home environment that is unstable due to whatever kind of disfunction, then he or she as a student is at a severe disadvantage!
Alexander Jenkins Too true.
Respect to Winston too.
9ks9ks
You are very welcome. (My apology for this late response)
Those wars were false flags and lots and lots of poor men were brain washed into selling out themselves and their country. Boomers had it all and pissed it away before their kids could have any taste of it.
I just hope for the future people don't answer "the call" and refuse to go to war.
My earliest recollection of the 60s is being about 3 years old in the back of my grandparents 65 impala listening to the radio talking about khe sahn and my grandmother crying because my dad was there. It was early 1968.
I was born (1950), and raised in Dayton Ohio. I was there that day when you guys rolled into town in that beat up bug. People round here are still talking about the 2 stoners in the 65 Beetle.
Gtfo, are you serious mister, I think you joking
I was born and raised in Cleveland too… I was 21, drinking at a bar, and I remember when they rolled into town too, we talked about it all the time… in fact, it was rumored in 1965 that you boys came back, and I was drinking at The bar when Frank Grimes aka “ Grimy” came running into Moe’s Tavern on East 17th Street between Chester and Payne avenues, Cleveland and yelled out “The Boy’s are back in town! THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN!” And it’s all we talked about….The word on the street back then was that in 1969 , that the Thin Lizzys came to town and heard about it, and years latter wrote a song about it and it became a hit in 1976.
Full of sh!!
Ahhh, the good old days!!! No computers, no social media... I'm a 64 yr old Texan and I miss the summer of love!
D Mars Summers, plural. Those were some wonderful days and nights!
Global Environmentalist hippies won and they destroyed culture and family unit.
I miss it all, heart hurts
@@fredguntern.e.4185 I respect your opinion, and I see a lot of the ills that were present in the culture at the time, I even recognize not all have been addressed but one thing really bothers me that you said.
How has or will capitalism doom us? Without capitalism, (which brings with it it's own problems and issues, yes) we would never have made a lot of the developments that we have today.
Look at the world today, specifically the state of technology, quality of life, medicine, comforts, etc for the majority of the species.
Capitalism has been the greatest boon to us as a species since farming was developed.
NOTHING is perfect, and every system has flaws, bit what exactly do you suppose could or should replace it?
Whatever system we employ as a people, as long as we maintain a balance of freedom, opportunity, community, and compassion then we will be fine.
Life is always a work in progress and so to is culture.
Don't be so quick to blame a system that only suffers due to human nature and excess. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, we can find a healthy balance to our system if only we work together and admit to ourselves our inerrant weaknesses, and our strengths.
The Summer of Love would have been (should have been) called the Summer of Truth, unmasking all the masked lies that would soon become America's reality. At that point in time, lies and imposed/mistaken hype were becoming the tool of manipulation that, over the course of a short few years and until this day, would become the tool of choice of the higher ups to keep the mass at bay. Nothing easier to maneuver than a bunch of stoned and roadless youth. And today, the majority of the faces in these pics. "faced" a life of mortgages and car payments when the commune offered less than expected. Crabs, hunger, cavities and syphilis could convince anyone not fried on LSD that it was time to move on.
I often feel like I’m not actually living life. I’m just observing it. That it’s just not something I’m destined to have. Like I’m watching reality from the other side of a pane of glass. I crave that I could be able to talk about my life like these kinds of people can.
I felt exactly this. I bought a van 12 months ago and have been driving around Australia ever since
The 2010s/2020s is much much different from the 60s. Life has become so much more expensive for individuals. Mistakes are more expensive. Life is less lived in person and more through the spectacle. Cities are dead and people are locked up in their houses (years before covid). You can't live life free like this man describes it because so few other people are willing and unattached- everyone is paying off exorbitant rent & loans. Some do find a way to break free and live life in a different way. It's tough trying to live in a way that is incongruous with the times you live in and the people you live aaround. I hope that you and I and others like us can find a way to do so. There are certainly many more people out there yearning to actually live their lives.
Wow, I love the way you said this.
I have issues with dissociation/depersonalization and I feel the same way.
I've always felt this way. Grew up in a fundamentalist Christian community, ended up getting shunned from it when I was 17 ish. Haven't looked back. Adult life is insanely expensive. I've been homeless on and off, traveled around, moved around, battled addictions, had run-ins with the law, got dragged to the psych ward by cops 6 times, experimented sexually, all that stuff, and I'm only 20 now. I plan on getting a van and living in it with my partner, traveling around the states, exploring and hiking in the forests while they're still here. I'm not interested in the "grind" or any of the corporate bullshit. There's ways to make your life more interesting, but you have to take risks. You can't be scared. You have to grab life by the throat and say fuck it, who cares what happens? And when bad shit happens to you - because it will - you just gotta power thru it bc you know someday it will all be a memory and you don't want any regrets.
I can totally relate to everything this guy is talking about. The 60s and even the early 70s was a magical time to be a young man with a little freedom. Yeah, my Dad was anything but my friend, but I learned responsibility from his example. I tried to be a friend to my kids...it just didn't feel right. It was in fact, a mistake. Kids will find friends. You need to be their base camp operator, their mechanic, their bank, their back up.
So true. It's important to be a friendly face in these uncertain times for your children. I want to be that anchor for them. Ppl have to remember that we are the ones that brought these kids into the world, they never asked to be born. Having this and your attitude ensures my kids will always answer my call and have helped me when I need it. I'm not getting any younger and it's good to know they will have my back with no second thoughts. Sons are even making sure the grandies are getting with the program too.
I was a teen in 1975 age 10. Dad said to us never trust people with long hair and wear earings. He he was born Chinese with family roots here in N.Z , U.S, Aussie going back 1860's in all these countries. We grew up in his beliefs.
My parents and I are really good friends, I consider my mom my best friend. I trust her more than anyone else I know, and I love both of them with all my heart. I’m actually thankful to have such a great relationship with my parents, but it’s not for everyone I get that
A parent is NOT a FRIEND. Absolutely do not mix the two.
Ever since 12, my mum tried to be "cool & friendly" with me. I wish she just stayed strict till I left home
This dude seems like a fun guy.
I was born in '74, and always wonder what it would have been like to live through a year like 1968. After 2020, I no longer wonder that.
I love the way this dude talks. Just a genuine fellow.
Speedy Noriega
He’s a good guy but I think he misses his father. Still, life is what you make it.
Omg I love this! He reminds me of my Dad. Who took us to Hawaii to grow weed and live in coffee shacks÷
It's crazy how far away the 60's seemed in 1989 when I was 14 compared to how close 1999 seems to now. I guess that's a part of getting old, but the changed that happened between 1969 and 1989 verses 1999 and 2019 was much greater in nearly every comparable way.
bba935 If we are speaking of technology I will disagree. I think there are bigger differences between 1999 and 2019. But social change, although I was born 1994, I think that the differences between 1969 and 89 were bigger.
Haha youngster !!
16 in 89...
Those were good times , we got to hear alotta stories from the older crew and we had respect for em cause they put in their lumps so to speak.
@@PeteS_1994 ok you were born in 1994, you need not comment!!
@@PeteS_1994 Dude, 1999 and 2019 are almost the same, the only change - LCD TV's, mobile phones being able to take photographs and much faster computers., whereas 1969 and 89 saw huge changes, first consoles, computers, color tv's for the masses, music, fashion, animation, everything changed. 69, was a time when people could only dream and fathom some of the things that the 80's offered.
Its a big difference ppl BORN in the 60s really try to act like they knew what was going on but they didn't live it..
I could listen to this guy talk all day. IDK what it is about his voice.
Sad, how if we met this guy in our ordinary lives, most of us would want this conversation to end quick. Yet, it’s fascinating we when we watch it on our computer, or phone.
I'd probably agree to give him the dollar he was asking for....
Speak for yourself.
Maybe it's because it's like eavesdropping on a conversation, you just keep listening
Mmmm! Depends on your age group , if you’re gen x or older probably have no problem conversing and listening to his story. Millennial or gen Y most likely won’t have attention span.
Well it’s because it’s the typical straight WASP male experience that we’ve heard many times before.
so youthful and positive, an endearing character
I wasted a lot of time watching TV back then. This man sounds like he spent more of his life out in the world actually doing things. I admire that in him.
Talking about 1969 in 1989 and I'm watching in 2019. That's the ultimate in time traveling.
Go watch the ones of 80 to 100 year olds from the 1920s etc where they talk about their parents and grandparents etc from the 1700s and their memories from early to mid 1800s. It's a trip...
@@Lonestar512 Can you share any links?
Plenty of interesting jobs on the go in Australia back then. Oil rigs, gold mines, croc shooting, fly in..... fly out small planes ..... lots of heat, cold beer, good money and music....73 and still working ...good times back then. do it all again
Thank you for your service!! You guys had a great time and blazed the trails for us.... too bad many of those trails no longer exist and we miss out. I'd MUCH rather lived in your day
"I played a basketball game this morning and I feel like I'm dead"
Haha
Lmao !
Nowadays if someone his age played a basketball game in the morning they WOULD be dead. Props to him for trying to stay in shape.
J.S.Surette Art this was recorded in 1989, he was 40 or something like that, not that old nowadays
@@joncastanares5573 what? This is from 1989 recording? That means as a 60 something year old guys, they were born around 1920s, mean they grew up during the depression era, damn now those were tough times and then through WW2, Korean War and Vietnam war era. They saw some major changes during their 10s, 20s, 30s and even 40s.
Thank you David Hoffman for having the foresight to record these people for what is now the present but at the time of recording the distant future. Incredible work.
Yea, me too, I am 70 now, was in LA Cal, in 67. Drafted in 69.
Real-Batman Welcome home.
Real-Batman Welcome home. I am 69 now and was in Lakewood, CA in ‘67. Graduated high school in ‘69. Enlisted in ‘74.
This guy's a character. Lots of great insights and anectdotes.
I am 57 and I even remember most of this observing those young teenagers. We all wish we were 10 years older so we could hang out eith them. They were always pleasant, happy and mostly non violent too. What a great bunch of people!
The summer right after high school graduation, the summer of 1969, a friend and classmate of mine got a part time job at a super market. There he and another guy met several young female coworkers who had just graduated from another suburban high school. I became a member of the group and together the six of us spent the summer days going to the local swimming hole, an amusement park, an evening watching live professional wrestling, and various pizza parties. It did not take long for me to have desires for one of the girls. Gently, but leaving no doubt, she made it clear that was not interested. That fall she went off to college. I recently did an internet search in an attempt to find that gang of long ago. The member of the group who was my high school friend, he still remains my friend to this day. Sadly, two of the three girls are deceased as is the other guy of the group. The one girl still alive today was the one I had a particular longing for. She is on Facebook, is a grandmother and actually doesn't live far away. Sometimes I wonder if she remembers that summer of 1969, or that goofy kid who tried to get a little too serious with her, those days of long past. I figure I'm best off not knowing and just _assuming_ the answer to both of those questions is yes.
I am the same age, brother. Losing more friends each year. Lost my best friend of fifty years in 2015. A lot harder to make friends now. Hang in there!
hits me in the heart
Ofc she remembers everything, I'm sure she would be happy and feel nostalgic about that times, if you contact her on FB and tell her who you are
So Bryan Adam's summer of 69 song must really hit you.
You have nothing to lose! I suspect she will be happy to hear from you since you did have some great memories together
If you can remember the 60s, you weren't there: Ringo Starr
gotta love ringo
Cute but this is reality
@@3rdJose I'm too humble a man to dispute such wisdom.
The sixties didn't happen in the sixties, they happened in the seventies . . .from someone who was a young man back then, and knows what he's talking about, Ringo ? he recorded a song with the Beatles called "The biggest fool to every hit the big time", that's about right for him.
I identified with this guy within the first minute, maximum respect from a similar type of human being
I can't imagine not talking to my son for years. It's amazing the way parents from back then thought. No wonder these kids took the hell off after highschool.
Really liking these snipits into peoples lives.
Thank you for this, Mr. Hoffman. In fact I was just today thinking of that song "Pleasant Valley Sunday" by The Monkees. It was meant to be a put-down of the middle class culture of the time, but I grew up with green lawns and back yard weekend grilling and neighborhood parties and I thought to myself, what was so wrong about all of that? It was a nice life for a kid. I realized it was the opening salvo in the war on the middle class in America.
People have the right to pursue happiness the way they want. As long as it's within the law, your way of life is as valid as anyone's.
The '60s were all about making people take an objective look at themselves and really decide whether they're happy with their current life. If you were, great. If you're weren't, the opportunity to go and find your own way was there. There will always be belligerents to spoil the party because that's human nature, but most hippies had no strong opinion on someone else's life choices.
If anything, PVS is anti-consumerist... consumerism has an infinitely more nebulous influence than counter-culture that mostly died out fifty years ago. Take an objective look around and see where it's led us. Ever increasing depletion of finite resources in the name of creature comforts, damaging the planet and people alike. The world needs to reassess what is important to put into the world right now, or there will be no more Pleasant Valley Sundays for anyone soon enough, no matter your definition of said.
These Vietnam drafted kids are all well spoken. I could listen to their stories and perspective of their time for days.
The best years of your lives are when your young and broke.
So freaking true
Is 24 young? Lol got the broke thing down
As somebody who was born in the 90’s I see the importance of all of these films. Love your work here, David.
David, as an Eastern European man I never thought I'd ever be interested in 50s/60s Americana, but having just contracted Covid, I'm stuck at home and basically binge watching your wonderful videos - also learning a lot in the process. Thank you for all this amazing content!
Are you feeling well these days?
This was 35 years ago; I wonder if this man is still alive on a beach somewhere with his metal detector? Really interesting interview!
I was a teen in 60s & watch vids from that era and my perspective is so different. We were lost as geese, but no more than kids are these days.
Great memories I'm a 60's child
Paraquat paraquat
This reminds me of when I was working in a nursing home and assisted living community. You could dive deep into history and watch all the documentaries about the 50s and 60s you want but nothing beats hearing how they were from everyday normal folks.
In 1968 at the age of 15 I was taught to drive by a 13-year-old in his father's Landrover ... off road. I also toured Britain alone on a bicycle before that. It all seemed quite normal. By 69 I was in art school but managed to avoid drugs. I feel lucky to have experienced that freedom, which seems to have been lacking for later generations. The music was amazing and I was car crazy. Britain had the mods & rockers, scooters and motorbikes, the Beatles, Stones, Carnaby street, Twiggy ...
I love that Ned Flanders sweater/shirt combo lol
uriahfiiya okali dokali 😅
And moustache 😂
Lol
Ahhh. The 80’s
It's a good look
This is amazing!
I would love to talk to this man now.
These little time capsules in video are fascinating to me. The older the better. Seen one of an old man in the early 20th century recalling the Civil War. Unreal. Such a treasure trove for future historians and film makers. Nothing ticks me off more than seeing period piece movies where people don't speak and act correctly for the era. They usually get the women wrong for sure.
Im a 90s kid and enjoy watching for videos of different generations
Mr. Hoffman's interviews are great. For some reason I can never get tired of them.
thank you for what you have said, Phillip.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
My favorite experience (and I don't recommend doing this today) was the night a friend and I took acid (LSD) and went to the Beacham theater (in downtown Orlando) to see Walt Disney's animated film "Fantasia". The theater is still there but I think its a night club now. We did this in the early 70s I believe. We both grew up in pre-attraction Orlando. Anyway, I drove and he directed me on where to turn. He was what you would call a "guide" when it came to recreational drug use, a lot more experienced than me. Somehow we made it there from Pine Hills ( a suburb of Orlando) and found a couple of seats. I got thirsty and went for refreshment . My seat felt like it was about 15 ft. high and walking up the incline toward the concession stand was like climbing a mountain. I couldn't look at the lady behind the counter but ordered a coke which was so sweet I couldn't drink it. I found my way back to my seat We finished the movie and I drove us back to "the hills". On the way home the car started to melt. I was a little worried (not alarmed) so I told my buddy that the steering wheel was melting. He reached over and grabbed the bottom of it and said: "grab it and you will know its there. It will stop melting." I did and he was right. Anyway, we made it home and I was so impressed with the movie that I thought Walt Disney had been the second coming of Christ for several months afterward. I'm really glad I experienced that but would not take that chance today. It taught me 2 things about dabbling with hallucinogens: 1) Always take half a hit to see where it will take you before committing to a full dose and 2) Do it in a controlled environment. Don't try to drive anywhere. Not smart.
Green Genes This brings me back to when I had a friend I would take acid with. Every single time we would trip he would always have to watch Disney’s Fantasia. 😂
I lived in Orlando from 2013 - 2016 attending university. The beacham is still there it is in fact a nightclub/ venue. Never knew it was a Theater at one point. Orange Avenue and OBT remain largely untouched. Pine Hills is ghetto now. West Side O town is dangerous
Lil Chaos thanks for the update, it was interesting to read as a conclusion to OP’s comment.
Ok you are all fucking nuts! That would give me a heart attack to watch fantasia while high🤣
Just the fact that he mentioned Arlington Park Racetrack made me giddy because I live across the street from it and I admire his storytelling abilities to the point where I'm starting to view him as a sort of demigod haha. Really hoping you do a follow up with this guy or track down his son if he's no longer with us
Today's kids are smothered by technology. Back in the 60's and 70's life was simple and carefree.
I can love these. Nostalgic flashback . It’s time travel !
Fascinating story. I wonder if he's still knocking around 30 years later?
Haroun Rashad I wonder if he moved past the maturational stage of 18 y/o around 30 years later?
" I played a Basketball game this morning and I feel like I'm dead"
He looks about 35-40 here.
The Magnificent Creep he said he had kids 17-18 then. I believe you are close.
still pumping gas...
"I played a basketball game this morning and I feel like I'm dead." Same
Would've loved to have a beer with this guy lol. love seeing the looks on his face as he relives some of his fond memories. What an awesome time to be alive.
I love this guy. Listening to him is so refreshing. He just seems to embody freedom.
I, too, have slowed down, my good man.
Judging by this dude's stories, I'm just impressed he can remember half of it.
These days kids have nothing to do and nowhere to go and it’s making them a little bit wild lol thanks for these stories!! They make this 90s baby feel nostalgic for a time that will never be for us
It would be nice to do a follow up interview with him now to get his opinion of the modern world and what he thinks of the difference between then and now !
In the Sixties we were idealists and dreamers. We had great, spontaneous fun, and broke the rules. There's nothing to regret.
@Valerie From Oregon Oh please. Your parents must have been exceptionally stupid, then.
@everydayidie alilmore How did he destroy America, exactly? It's a way more damaged now than it ever has been.
... what about the climate? do you regret doing nothing and screwing over future generations?
@Little luke Climate change is real, and man made , in this case.
@@crapadopalese no, I don't. I've never owned a coal fired electric plant. And I never had kids. I've been a restoration volunteer for the local forest preserve district for over 30 years. So do you care to tell me how I've ruined everything? How many ecosystems have you helped to restore?
Some things never change! I remember an assembly in 1959 when ministers from the three faiths spoke to us. I don't remember what the protestant or catholic ministers said, but I remember the Jewish rabbi told about going to see a girl, he took her something and got a kiss, then did something else and got to hug her. He finished by saying I'm going to take her something else tonight, I can't remember what it was, and see what I get. We all broke up in laughter.
Neat guy. I wish people were still like this.
*It's very interesting to watch these videos. Super cool. Very relateable. I guess we're all more alike then we realize*
Clear uncluttered insight...thank you! needed to hear this, and feel his delivery
If he cut his hair he would literally be Ned Flanders
lol very much so
harry brown okilly dokilly neighbourino!
LiTteRlY
Ha ha! He’s like Ned’s father...”Man, like this kid’s puttin’ us on the train to Squaresville’ baby!”
I was scrolling for the Ned comment!
Mr Hoffman you are a man way ahead of the times. Thank you for these so important windows into the past.
David, you are encapsulating American counterculture and I'm not sure if you know how much it means to us but personally the drive you have makes me emotional
Mr. Hoffman, you are the man. I'm turning everybody who'd be into your channel on to these interviews. Wow...just wow.
Thank you so much, Paul. I can use all the help I can get.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
This mans hairstyle and mustache resembles Tom Cruise post vietnam in Born on the 4th of July
Tom cruise styling in the 4th of July resembles this guy.
Thank you for making these videos.
This channel is absolutely brimming with such good story and educational content, honestly my favourite channel right now
That does my heart good Gerry.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
What a legend!!
I wish we had had smart phones and pc s in the 60s. Im 65. I love tech. I was born into rural mid Wales . I miss that.
Nah, this is AWFUL!!! Life back then was maybe less convenient but FAR better!!! You didn't sit home alone stuck to a damn screen all day every day, you had to actually go OUT and actually talk to people in PERSON.....gasp... the horror!!!
Excellent story,thank you.
These videos you post (of which I recently subscribed) are quickly becoming a daily watch for me. It’s a true time machine for me and I assume many others. Thank you so much for making your life’s work possible for everyone to enjoy.
You are welcome. Thank you.
David Hoffman Filmmaker
god bless this informative channel
Around 1960 - 61, we were introduced to a 1930s film called Reefer Madness while in 3rd grade. We had no idea what they were even talking about in this film as we were very young and innocent as can be. We just laughed at the silly faces the actors were making with not a clue as to why we were watching the film. When the teachers tried to explain what was happening, we still couldn't grasp why people would do this. But, it had an effect as I never became an "follower" and quickly broke ranks from certain groups as I got older. Many times I was a loner but never regretted it.
I watched Reefer Madness on Netflix with my son, who is now 24. He asked me if it was a comedy, like Laurel and Hardy. We laughed through the whole thing.
Brilliant content David...so glad I found your work...very inspiring.
Great glimpses, it's awesome you share these.
03:19 - "I've got dancin' shoes when it comes to goin'" Pure poetry. I don't know who this guy is but he's got somethin'! He's alright, man!!
I know exactly what he means.
I miss the optimism of the '60s. This guy could have been one of my friends had I known him.
I appreciate these videos so much. Thank you.
Great personal documentaries, like gold, learning from the experiences of generations by video word of mouth, plus awesome story telling !
Those times need to be remembered
"On The Road". Recommend reading for every young man.
I love the 'on the road' reference. Still influencing generations today.
@Redwoodrebelgirl I was a teen of the 90's and it effected me also. Classic
thank you for sharing all this insight into the past! your channel has a lot of historical value!
I was a kid in the 60s. I remember it seemed like just about anybody that worked better than a gas station job could afford a house, good cars and support 6 kids.
I lived in Michigan and it seemed people that had better jobs like auto plant worker could afford nice house, new cars, and land up north that they went to every opportunity.
In 70s things changed, a lot of recession , people were selling their vacation properties.
I started working right in the middle of major recession and couldn’t hardly get any job.
I spent most of my life working jobs that would have been good money in my dads time but I could hardly make it. I used to get upset when old timers would tell about how hard they had it working their car plant job. I would tell them to shut up, at least they actually had a car plant job.
how did you fare during the booming 80s
@@texasgun2731 worked a mediocre job at a shop that spent a lot of their time in the red till they finally went out of business
Many of those people with decent but not great jobs seemed to have so much because credit was becoming more widely available. They couldn’t save $3k for a new car but they could make the payment.
Ground zero here. Born in 1949. Raised up so to speak in Palo Alto...weekend hippie Avalon Ballroom and so on. Cynical from the get-go, felt sorry for the desperate flower children coming in from the boonies.
James Pollock Palo Alto...a great place to raise your kids up.
James Pollock Born in 1950. Raised up in Lakewood in LA County. Went by myself to The Fillmore one night only, August ‘67, during a family vacation with my parents who were visiting friends in San Francisco. I still had short hair and was straight as could be.
So you were a communist..
These videos are incredible! So glad I found this channel.
I love these videos. Makes me remember my days of growing up in the 60's and 70's. This guy is dead on.
Absolute respect.
He reminds me of Kurt Russell.
Nice guy. Thank you for sharing this. 👍
This guy is so cool! Glad I watched this.