A new audio documentary, designed to compliment Ken Burns’s new PBS “Vietnam War” series, has turned up online. Produced out of WPSU, the Penn State station, it’s called “Lay It All Down: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War” and examines both what was on the radio back then and the kind of protest songs that were slowly getting airplay.
 
The 60s was a time of a lot of bubblegum music (think “Yummy Yummy Yummy” by the Ohio Express and “Sugar Sugar” by the Archies) but there was also a mix of other voices, like Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction.” But it was the folk singers such as Peter, Paul and Mary, Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan – just to name a few – who drew most attention to the controversial conflict.
 
It’s a two-parter that includes comments from the music makers, vintage sound, and a look at the sometimes banned tunes that troops were listening to in the thick of the battle. Each is 59 minutes long and you can hear part one here.
 
Part two can be found at this link.

An interesting look back at a time that’s fading into history.

WPSU creates "Vietnam Soundtrack" program

Last edited by RadioActive (September 14, 2017 10:53 am)