Soundtrack to your studies - 1969

Student radio station ‘Radio Bosom’ (aka bFM) started broadcasting in 1969, rebelling against the limited range of music available on air. They initially followed the example of Radio Hauraki by transmitting from a boat at sea but they didn’t bother going out to the international waters beyond Great Barrier so were quickly shut down. Instead the organisers simply put speakers around the campus where the station could be heard. 

It was two years since the ‘Summer of Love’ and the influence was slowly trickling down to Auckland with a series of “Jumping Sundays” events, which first took place in Myers Park. Many of the attendees were university students who’d gathered to discuss how to protest the Vietnam War so as the event grew it became more convenient to hold it across from the campus in Albert Park. These events included musical performances and there is some footage from the time, put alongside the music of the Frank E Evans band who regularly performed at these events.

The new hippie influence hadn’t entirely taken over, so while there was a ‘freak-out’ dance event in the Uni Cafe for Capping week, there was also a traditional Graduation Dance held at the Peter Pan Cabaret at the top of Queen Street. 

That year’s music awards crowned two winners - C’Mon singer Shane won for his ballad to Paul McCartney ‘Saint Paul,’ while The Hi-Revving Tongues also won for a ballad, ‘Rain And Tears’ (Zodiac). 

There were two close contenders for the biggest international album of the year in NZ - The Beatles’ Abbey Road or The Who’s Tommy. Here’s Elton John playing ‘Pinball Wizard’ from the movie version of Tommy.

What was on your turntable while you were on campus? Suggest songs to add to our 1960s playlist, and you could win $100 Flying Out voucher.