Daily Dirt for Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025
When I can bring up Eb and Arnold the Pig from Green Acres, it’s always a good day. Welcome to The Daily Dirt’s Vol. 1,361: Three Thoughts for Today.
1. Boomers, do you remember?
We were in the middle of the notorious Summer of Love in 1967. I say “infamous” for a reason: first, that particular recall evokes memories of the music of the time, in addition to the emphasis on love, peace, and flower power. Along with the rise of the counterculture and the hippie lifestyle, there were also violent protests from coast to coast that were linked to the political and racial upheaval surrounding the United States’ increasing involvement in Vietnam.
Even now, everything that contributed to that Summer of Love is seen as a phenomena of some kind, a bizarre fusion of ideas and ways of living. There was never a greater generational divide.
Furthermore, that summer will also be remembered for the coining of the term “groovy.” Even though such phrase has been used in jazz slang from the 1930s and 1940s, it gained popularity during the Summer of Love someplace.
Let’s reflect on some of the positive things that the Summer of Love brought us and see if any of them bring back memories. We’ll save the negative aspects of the Summer of Love for another time:
The most important news items
1. In 1967, especially that summer, a number of musicians sprang to prominence who would influence rock music for years and decades to come. Future superstars who started to solidify their influence were led by names like Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, and The Who.
2. The front-runner for a position on the U.S. Supreme Court was Thurgood Marshall. Marshall became the court’s first Black justice after being sworn in that October.
3. In the early summer Six-Day War, which attracted international attention, Israeli forces swiftly defeated Arab fighters.
The top television shows
1. The Andy Griffith Show: This program was adored by viewers of all ages.
2. Green Acres: Arnold the Pig and Eb were my two favorite characters.
3. The program that brought us Goldie Hawn was Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.
The greatest films
1. Bonnie and Clyde: The gangster movie was the ideal way to pass the summer.
2. The Cool Hand Luke: I’ve always felt that George Kennedy’s performance was underappreciated, even though Paul Newman was undoubtedly the star.
3. The name is Bond, and you only live twice. James Bond.
The greatest tunes
1. Scott McKenzie of San Francisco.Make sure to accessorize your hair with flowers if you’re traveling to San Francisco.Some consider McKenzie to be the Summer of Love’s poet laureate. She passed away in 2012 at the age of 73. This song will always be a part of his legacy.
2. Light My Fire, Doors: Known as one of the first psychedelic rock songs.
3. The Letter, Box Tops: This song is rightfully listed as one of the 500 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine. One of the iconic songs of the Summer of Love was The Letter.
2. Did you know (Part 445)
- That among some of the most famous debut albums in 1967 were those from Pink Floyd, Jim Hendrix and Doors.
- That Billboard s No. 1 song in 1967 was To Sir, With Love by Lulu.
- That the Beatles 1967 album Sgt. Pepper s Lonely Hearts Club Band included the title track, plus With a Little Help From My Friends, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, When I m Sixty Four, Lovely Rita and A Day in the Life.
- That 1967 is generally considered the year rock and roll morphed into simply rock .
- That Detroit Tigers pitching superstar Tarik Skubal was not selected until the 255th selection of the 2018 MLB draft.
3. This week s featured celebrity birthdays include:
Today is the 84th birthday of lifestyle expert Martha Stewart. She claims that the porch is her favorite space in a home.
PerformerOn Monday, Billy Bob Thornton will turn 70. I am really excited about Landman’s second season.
On Tuesday, actress Loni Anderson will turn 80. She is still acting, which is surprising.
PerformerDustin Hoffman’s 88th birthday is on Friday. Just so you know, he’s five feet five.
On Saturday, actor Sam Elliott will turn 81. The individual.
Steve’s Daily ThoughtI’ll see you tonight at the races. Quincy Raceways has resumed operations. Heat races will start at approximately 6:30; the ish is crucial.
Every day, Steve Eighinger contributes to Muddy River News. One scoffs when editing when a Tarik Skubal anecdote is included with the Summer of Love details.
