Let’s Dance the Letkiss, the Scandinavian Bunny Hop Dance From the 1960s

The Letkiss is a 1960s novelty dance based on the Bunny Hop from a decade earlier. In the early 1960s, Finnish musicians composed modern arrangements of folk music for the Jenkka, a Finnish schottische. But instead of dancing the schottische, people danced a modified Bunny Hop (beginning with the left foot instead of the right).

This new genre of music was called letkajenkka (“line schottische”) based on the song “Letkajenkka” by Erik Lindström (first recorded by The Adventurers). In late 1963, Rauno Lehtinen composed another letkajenkka called “Letkis.” While in Finnish, this name is simply a diminutive form of “letkajenkka”, the English speaking world interpreted this as “Let’s Kiss.” This inadvertently suggestive title made this otherwise obscure genre of music popular around the world, along with the modified Bunny Hop that was danced to it.

The steps of Letkajenkka are like the steps of Bunny Hop, a novelty dance from the 1950s. It has been proposed that exchange students returning from the United States to Finland would have imported the steps of the Bunny Hop to Finland, as they had seen them on the TV show Bandstand. Whereas the Bunny Hop starts with a right foot lead, the Letkajenkka / letkajenkka transformed into a dance based on the same step, but starting with a left leg lead. This can be seen from the early recordings for TV and in some movies made during the hottest craze. Also many translated lyrics include advice on the steps: “left kick, left kick, right kick, right kick, forward jump, backward jump, hop, hop, hop.”

Steps:

The people participating in the dance form a Conga-like line (that can also be a circle) so that everyone holds the person in front of themselves by the shoulders or the waist. The steps go as follows (everybody does the same thing):

1. kick to the left with the left foot & step back into the middle,

2. kick to the left with the left foot & step back into the middle,

3. kick to the right with the right foot & step back into the middle,

4. kick to the right with the right foot & step back into the middle,

5. jump forwards with both feet together (for only a few inches),

6. jump backwards with both feet,

7. jump forwards three times with both feet,

(repeat).

1–4 may be enhanced by bouncing with the leg opposite to the kicking side.

30 Amazing Photos Capture People at Swimming Pools in the 1960s

In the 1960s, swimming pools were vibrant social hubs, often reflecting the changing cultural norms of the time. Poolside fashion included one-piece swimsuits for women, often with bold patterns or vibrant colors, while men wore swim trunks, some with a retro flair. The atmosphere was laid-back, with people lounging in the sun, chatting, or enjoying pool games like volleyball or diving competitions.

Swimming pools were not only a place to cool off but also spaces for socializing, particularly in suburban neighborhoods and at resorts. Families, friends, and young couples gathered, and for many, the pool was an escape from the busy pace of daily life. These amazing photos were found by Steven Martin that show people at swimming pools in the 1960s.

See more»

Stunning Portrait Photos of Virna Lisi Taken by Angelo Frontoni

Iconic Italian actress Virna Lisi was photographed by Angelo Frontoni in a number of stunning and timeless portraits. Frontoni, known for his work in fashion and celebrity photography during the 1960s and 1970s, captured Lisi in a way that emphasized both her natural beauty and elegance. His photographs of Lisi exude a sense of classic glamour, with her radiant expression and sophisticated style complementing the soft lighting and elegant composition typical of his work.

These photos became symbols of the “La Dolce Vita” era in Italian cinema, where Lisi was a prominent star, known for her roles in both Italian films and international productions.

A young Virna Lisi, photo by Angelo Frontoni, circa 1952

Virna Lisi, photo by Angelo Frontoni, circa 1958

Virna Lisi during filming of "The Man, the Woman and the Money", directed by Eduardo De Filippo, photo by Angelo Frontoni, Italy, 1965

Virna Lisi during filming of "The Man, the Woman and the Money", directed by Eduardo De Filippo, photo by Angelo Frontoni, Italy, 1965

Virna Lisi in sequined zebra-striped dress with ostrich feather trim by Valentino, photo by Angelo Frontoni, October 1965

See more»

Paul McCartney’s Obvious Disguise in 1966.

The Beatles had just quit touring and a lot of fans went crazy from that news, and Paul McCartney was on holiday in August-November 1966, just before they started recording Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and wanted to go in disguise just to get away from the crazy fans. When he tried to get into a nightclub in this disguise, they wouldn’t let him in.

“I looked like old jerko. ‘No, no, monsieur, non’ – you schmuck, we can’t let you in! So I thought, Sod this, I might as well go back to the hotel and come as him! So I came back as a normal Beatle, and was welcomed in with open arms. I thought, Well, it doesn’t matter if I’ve blown my cover because I’m going to meet Mal anyway, I don’t have to keep the disguise any longer. Actually, by the time of the club I’d sort of had enough of it. Which was good. It was kind of therapeutic but I’d had enough. It was nice because I remembered what it was like to not be famous and it wasn’t necessarily any better than being famous.” – Paul’s authorized bio Many Years From Now by Barry Miles.

Apparently these photos were taken in the first week of November, and not October. According to The Beatles Bible, on November 6, 1966, Paul McCartney flew to France on a plane-ferry from Lydd airport in Kent, England. The intention was to take a driving holiday. In order to escape the attention of The Beatles’ fans, McCartney wore a disguise, although his brand new dark green Aston Marton DB5 was enough to attract the attention of even the least observant bystander.

McCartney donned his disguise after passing through French customs. Wig Creations, the film cosmetic company used by The Beatles on A Hard Day’s Night, had made him a mustache to wear.

“They measure you and match the color of your hair, so it was like a genuine mustache with real glue,” he said. “And I had a couple of pairs of glasses made with clear lenses, which just made me look a bit different. I put a long blue overcoat on and slicked my hair back with Vaseline and just wandered around and of course nobody recognized me at all. It was good, it was quite liberating for me.”

18 Adorable Childhood Photos of Brad Pitt From the 1960s and 1970s

Brad Pitt, born William Bradley Pitt on December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, had a modest and disciplined upbringing. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he spent most of his childhood. His parents, William Alvin Pitt and Jane Etta (née Hillhouse), emphasized traditional values and education. William worked as a truck company manager, while Jane was a school counselor.

Brad grew up in a Southern Baptist household, which instilled in him a strong moral foundation. He has a younger brother, Doug, and a younger sister, Julie. The family was close-knit and supportive.

During his childhood, Brad was active and curious. He attended Kickapoo High School, where he excelled both academically and socially. He participated in sports like golf, tennis, and swimming and was also involved in student government and school debates. He showed an early interest in the arts, particularly in movies, which he described as a window into different worlds.

After high school, Brad enrolled at the University of Missouri to study journalism with a focus on advertising. However, just two weeks before graduating, he decided to pursue his passion for acting. He left for Los Angeles, famously saying he felt the “call of the West.” This bold decision marked the start of his journey to stardom.

Here’s a collection of 18 adorable photos of Brad Pitt when he was a kid in the 1960s and 1970s:

See more»

Christmas With Sharon Tate

“I guess I kind of lived in a fairytale world... looking at everything through rose-colored glasses. I probably always will, to a certain extent.”

Sharon Tate became a Hollywood icon for her movie roles in the 1960s, her marriage to controversial director Roman Polanski, her impeccable style and timeless beauty, and eventually her horrific, untimely murder at the hands of the Manson family in 1969—a murder that has been sensationalized for decades in pop culture. Below is a collection of some vintage photographs of Sharon Tate celebrating Christmas in 1967 and 1968:

See more»

30 Wonderful Found Slides of Children With Their Christmas Gifts From the Mid-20th Century

In the mid-20th century, Christmas mornings were filled with excitement as children eagerly unwrapped gifts beneath the tree. Toys in the 1950s and 1960s ranged from simple wooden blocks to the latest plastic creations, like Barbie dolls or Hot Wheels cars. Many gifts were designed to inspire imagination: board games like Monopoly or Clue, building sets like Legos, and puzzles that could challenge even the sharpest young minds. Some children found the thrill of something mechanical, like a toy robot, or the timeless joy of a Teddy bear to cuddle with.

For children in the 1950s and 1960s, Christmas was often a simpler affair, yet filled with a deep sense of wonder and gratitude. The magic of the season wasn't just in the gifts themselves, but in the warmth of being together as a family, the excitement of giving and receiving, and the quiet joy of a time that seemed to slow down, just for a little while, to let everyone savor the moment.

Here below is a collection of wonderful found slides that shows children with their Christmas gifts in the 1950s and 1960s.

See more»

30 Fascinating Portraits of a Young Dionne Warwick in the 1960s

Dionne Warwick (born December 12, 1940) is an American singer, actress, and television host. During her career, Warwick has won many awards, including six Grammy Awards. She has been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Apollo Theater Walk of Fame. In 2019, Warwick won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Three of her songs (“Walk On By,” “Alfie,” and “Don’t Make Me Over”) have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Warwick’s career began in 1962 with the hit single “Don’t Make Me Over.” She became the first African American female artist to have a dozen consecutive Top 100 hits between 1963 and 1966.

Warwick’s voice was noted for its clarity, warmth, and emotional depth, seamlessly blending pop, soul, and jazz influences. She developed a reputation for her polished and graceful stage presence. Much of her work in the 1960s was written and produced by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. By the mid-1960s, Warwick had become one of the most charted female vocalists of the time. Her hits regularly climbed both the pop and R&B charts.

Warwick was one of the few Black artists of her time to achieve widespread mainstream success, paving the way for future generations of musicians. Her contributions during the 1960s solidified her place as one of the defining voices of the era and a trailblazer in the evolution of popular music.

See more»

30 Beautiful Photos of Sally Geeson in the 1960s

Born 1950 in Cuckfield, West Sussex, English actress Sally Geeson played small non-speaking roles in several movies, including Expresso Bongo (1959), The Millionairess (1960), Spare the Rod (1961), The Young Ones and Carry On Regardless (1961). She is best known for playing Sid James’s daughter, Sally, in Bless This House and for her roles in Carry On Abroad (1972) and Carry On Girls (1973).

Geeson also starred alongside Norman Wisdom in the film What’s Good for the Goose (1969), and appeared with Vincent Price in two horror films, The Oblong Box (1969) and Cry of the Banshee (1970).

In August 2013, Geeson featured in a TV commercial for Anglian Windows. In December 2014 until January 2015, she played the Good Fairy at Theatre Royal Windsor in their panto Beauty And The Beast. Her sister is the actress Judy Geeson.

Take a look at these vintage photos to see the beauty of a young Sally Geeson in the 1960s.

See more»

A Collection of 25 Ugly and Wonderful Christmas Trees From the 1950s and 1960s

Each holiday season is heralded by treasured traditions and decor that taps into cherished memories. And perhaps no item is more synonymous with the season than the Christmas tree.

While decorating homes with evergreens during winter actually dates back to the Romans, Druids, and Vikings, the Germans are credited with displaying the first Christmas tree in the 16th century. In 1846, the tree went viral when Queen Victoria of England decorated a tree as a nod to her husband’s German heritage. When an illustration of the royal family standing around the tree was published in newspapers, having a Christmas tree became the hottest new interior design trend. And soon, the practice was firmly planted in the American holiday tradition.

Optimism and color reigned in the post-war decade when many of the 16 million American men and women who served in the war returned home. Young newlywed couples drove suburbanization and a huge baby boom. Midcentury modern style and the bright colors (think pink, yellow, and turquoise) of on-trend interiors made their way to the Christmas tree, as well. Shiny Brite ornaments, first mass-produced in the 1940s and known for their colorful designs and shapes, hit peak popularity.

Soon, technology brought about a tree that sparkled, sans flocking, didn’t shed its needles, and didn’t even require watering. Introduced in 1959, the Evergleam aluminum Christmas tree was an instant hit and the pioneering company behind the sparkling trees manufactured more than one million in the decade that followed.

The 1960s were a time of modernism and the Space Race, but also a time of social upheaval, individualism, and self-expression. Home decor was mass-produced cheaply with the idea that items would be thrown away once there were no longer en vogue. Christmas decor was no exception.

While some families clung to freshly-cut Christmas trees, some embraced a modern look with aluminum trees, while others had a soft spot for the Charlie Brown tree. “Everyone has his own idea of how a Christmas tree should be decorated...” Better Homes & Gardens encouraged readers. “Some trees are hung with home-fashioned ornaments, strings of popcorn, cranberries, and lopsided paper trims cut with fumbling childish fingers. Others are glowingly color-schemed and laden with exquisite glass balls.”

See more»

18 Candid Photographs of George Harrison and Eric Clapton Together

Eric Clapton first met The Beatles in December 1964, a time when he was still with The Yardbirds. After his group acted as one of the support acts for the Fab Four’s Christmas Show at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, his connection proved to be so strong that he straddled both The Beatles’ professional and personal lives. Clapton didn’t just collaborate with the band as a whole, but he also played with each of the four members independently on their solo endeavors.

“It’s easier nowadays than it was in the past,” Harrison said in an interview with Goldmine magazine in 1992. “Because in the 1960s we were all very much tied up with being Beatles or Cream, and stuff. Well, actually we worked with Eric back in, I’d say, 1964, when he was in the Yardbirds, but I didn’t really get to know him until a show at a little club in London where the Lovin’ Spoonful were playing. It was John [Lennon] and I who went to see the Spoonful, and after the show we would go and hang out with John Sebastian and the gang, and get into trouble or whatever. And I just saw this guy there who looked very familiar. There was something about him, and he seemed real lonely, just sitting up on the road boxes backstage at this club. And I said, ‘Hey, you want to come with us, come and hang out?’”

There was always a member of the band with which he connected more permanently, however, and he became best friends with George Harrison long after working with one another. What’s more, they even ended up sharing an ex-wife, Pattie Boyd. Clapton confessed his love for Boyd to Harrison in 1970. Clapton wrote the song “Layla” to express his feelings for Boyd. He also wrote a letter to Boyd asking about her feelings for him, but she thought it was from a fan. Boyd married Clapton in 1979, but they divorced in 1989.

Even after all the drama and heartbreak, Harrison and Clapton remained friends and continued to play music together right up until the very end. Theirs was a friendship that was tenderly enjoyed by both members. Harrison invited Clapton to play on the Beatles classic to distract himself from the band and to explore the guitar world. He also contributed to Clapton’s projects, and they often performed together in live settings.

They remained close friends until Harrison’s death in 2001. Clapton said that he thought of Harrison as an older brother and respected his judgment and values.

See more»