Hippys in the UK?

I'm 57, so I just missed the hippy movement during the 60's in America. I was wondering if it was just an American thing. I've heard of Mods and Rockers in England, but not the hippies. For instance, I think the band, The Who, were considered Mods, and the Beatles were considered Rockers.

Re: Hippys in the UK?

I was a hippy! Cowbells 'n' all!

Re: Hippys in the UK?

I'm 69 and I was too old to be a hippy but they were plentiful here, I used to be halfway between a mod and a rocker, wore suits no leather jackets, wore winkle picker shoes and sometimes suede shoes, a real mixed up kid, I liked the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and dare I say it Frank Sinatra.
My youngest brother was a dedicated hippy, he never forgave Bob Dylan for going all commercial saying he was bought off and ordered not to sing anymore protest songs, haven't a clue what he was on about, who's Bob Dylan anyway?

Re: Hippys in the UK?

lovely picture Twiz, ooooh you sexy thing!

Re: Hippys in the UK?

Hi Jem. Bob Dylan was an American folksinger/songwriter that was very popular during the mid 1960's, if memory serves.He couldn't sing very well, imo, but he was a prodigious writer. He caused an outcry when he started using electric guitars; the purists called him a sellout.

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@Twizard...lovely old picture. Is that a peasant blouse you are wearing? I had a couple of them in the 1970s.

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@Jem...what the heck are winkle picker shoes? Are they like pointy shoes you wear to the seashore to kick up periwinkles?lol.

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When we first moved to the Isle of Wight, fourteen years ago, there were a few remnants of Hippy types here. Not sure if they were refugees from the mainland or what....

Re: Hippys in the UK?

Hi Jeb, I looked up winkle pickers. My guess was close.

Re: Hippys in the UK?

For a brief period i was an imitation Hippy, liked the music and fashion of the time 66-68 but Psychedelia came along and added to heavy music i evolved into denim man. Bye bye flares, and tye dye T shirts, hello Levis, Wranglers, trainers, Led Zeppelin, Captain Beefheart, Pink Floyd.and the Velvet Underground.

Finally discovering Krautrock and Prog Rock, i found my natural level.

I do remember decked out in my home made hippy keep on trucking trousers and purple shirt, thinking i was the bee`s knees going to the Hexham Gathering ( Music Festival) and ending up spending the time chatting up a beautiful hippy chick (Gretchen, an American). I was thirteen she must have been laughing at this dopey youth she must have been in her mid twenties. ( shy bairns get nowt)