Living In The 60s

With a legacy that continues to inspire generations of musicians, it's difficult to dispute that music of the 1960s marked a pinnacle of the pop music era. 

The turbulent Sixties continue to resonate in our popular worldview with incredible cultural currency, and a two-and-a-half minute song can evoke memories of a film, TV broadcast, social movement or counterculture.  

Living in the 60s taps into this, rounding up songs that charted throughout the decade, some ever-popular, others at risk of being forgotten. We asked presenter Roy Lauder about the beginnings of the program and why he feels the music of the 1960s continues to hold so much sway.

How long has Living In The 60s been on the air?

Living in the 60s is almost starting its fourth year, the first programme went to air in the first week of June in 2013. 

Were you involved in radio before doing Living In The 60s?

I have been involved in community radio since 1995 when I successfully acquired a training certificate with 2CCC Gosford (Coast FM 96.3), NSW, and went on to present a breakfast programme for them before relocating to Cairns in 2001.

How did you first get involved in community radio?

I was invited to attend the training course by a workmate/friend who was already involved with Coast FM 96.3. My 13 year old son came with me to the course and he (Glen) is now a successful sports journalist with Foxtel. 

What do you think it is about music from the 60s that still resonates so strongly with people of all ages?

I believe that the music of the 60s was easy to listen to and easy to remember. I am constantly reminded of its popularity by the use of that decade's songs in current television advertising. 

You seem to play quite a few requests on air, are you ever surprised by the tracks that get requested?

I'm never surprised by the requests that I receive - in fact I'm delighted at the diverse tastes of my listeners. I'm also amazed and encouraged by the knowledge that listeners retain of the music of the 1960s.

Are there some that get requested a lot more often than others?

It would be unfair to say that any requests follow a pattern; however, it isn't surprising to get requests for The Beatles or Elvis Presley, as they were icons of the decade. I'm also delighted to be asked to feature instrumentals as that is a genre that sadly went out of fashion due to the change that the industry went through with the British invasion.

Your program is very popular on CRN, do you get many requests from listeners outside of your own station’s listening area?

Of late, most of the requests for Living in the 60s are from outside of my own listening area, but as you can appreciate, it is easy for locals to call our station. I find that listeners that contact me have heard my programme on an overnight CRN service rather than through the day. Even my station, Cairns FM 89.1, air the programme at 11pm on a Tuesday evening.

What are a few of your favourite songs or artists from the 60s?

My favourite band of the 60s was the Hollies with my favourite song being "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" a 1969 single by them. However I'm also an avid Moody Blues fan as they introduced us to the joys of more classical compositions. 

During the preparation and research for my show, I often think to myself that a certain song was simply the best. English bands like the Kinks, US singer Bobby Rydell, Bobby Darin, Dion and Australian superstars The Twilights, Axiom and the Easybeats also rank among the best for me. Given time I would give you a list as long as my arm of the great performers of the era. And let's not forget the girls, names such as Petula Clark, Cilla Black, Sandie Shaw, Brenda Lee, the best of them all the great Connie Francis as well as Judy Stone and Little Pattie.

The music of the 60s and the artists of the day are very close to me and a major hobby of mine. I have had the pleasure of meeting many groups and singers from that period and I always get tingles of excitement. Recently, I interviewed Pee Wee Wilson of the Delltones and also Normie Rowe, two acts that were instrumental in the early beat boom in this country. It was also a great thrill to meet Glenn Shorrock who came from the same town as I did in the UK.  I didn't migrate from the UK until 1970, so sadly I wasn't familiar with a lot of music from this country but I am quickly putting that right with the help of many people in the music industry. 

For CRN subscribers:

• Living in the 60s (55'50) is broadcast/distributed by CRN Saturdays from 19:00 to 20:00 EST/EDT, repeated Mondays 04:00 to 05:00 EST/EDT and is available for DDN capture
• For more information contact CRN staff on 02 9310 2999 or email [email protected]

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