My Military Music

The year was 1971, I enlisted in the US Army on the

Delayed entry program, on my birthday.

This was the end of the turbulent 1960's and the beginning

of the 1970's.

I was wondering what I had gotten myself into.

I figured I would join the Army and learn to work

on the best aircraft the Army had at the time, and

stay away from the battle area (Viet Nam).

Well, I did on both accounts, for the most part.

Yes, I was trained on the newest helicopter.

Yes I stayed out of Viet Nam.

I was trained on the CH-47 Helicopter, but spent

most of my military career working in the motor pool.

Also I was assigned to a CH-54 Unit. (as excess).

And I spent 2 years in Germany, during the Viet Nam

war.

I was sent to Colorado the last 6 months of my 

time, and was discharged from there at the end of

the Viet Nam occupation.

During my time in the Army, I was exposed to the music revolution. I had been witness

to the change of the music from Elvis to Steppenwolfe, to Jimmy Hendricks, to Don

McLean. And what a mix of folk, pop, ballards, and hard rock. It was all there. I spent 

a lot of my time in the barracks with a mix of our culture, from all over the U.S.

It was a very hard time for young people to understand and absorb. We were at 

war , that our country didn't really have control of. We were a confused bunch of

soldiers, trying to survive day to day. The ones that had returned from Viet Nam had

stories to tell, and were really hardened from their experience "in country".

The likes of Jane Fonda, had an effect on all that had served in their best tradition

only to be ridiculed upon their return to their "Country".  I guess I was sheltered from all

this, due to the fact I was allowed to travel at my expense, and leisure , to and from

my duty stations, without going thru the normal port's of entry for the Military.

Going from base to base, country to country, I found the music to be the same.

I have put together a collection of tunes that are of the era.

Tunes that meant something, that had an effect on one's being. Tunes that

had a lasting impression on you. Today when you here them you can't but think of the

events when these tunes were number one's, or meant more than number one to you.

                     Top tunes of the Viet Nam War era:

                      This page has a really nice selection of those tunes...Click and enjoy... after selecting one, the rest play in sequence.