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What a thread! I was born in 1956. I remember the late 50's and early 60's as a time of patriotism and positive feelings about America--of course we were great! I remember Mr. Clean commercials and "You'll wonder where the yellow went, when you brush you teeth with Pepsident!". I watched Bugs Bunny and Woody Woodpecker in those years.

We were at the peak of the boom, I think. I recall families with 11 kids down the street, and everyone had at least three. We were unusual because we had only 2. We owned a black VW bug we called "the midnight speedster". We packed 11 people into it one time.

I became politically aware at 12 (1968). I couldn't understand why we didn't win the Vietnam war. A simple invasion of N. Vietname would have done it. Later, I found out that mining the harbors almost defeated them. We chose to lose that war, as we did in Korea. (I'm speaking of politicians choosing not to win, whatever it cost. Our military was outstanding, under the foolish handicaps they were given) We should have kept McArthur and pitched Truman--wait, we did!

I remember being amazed at how funny Laugh In was in 1969 and staying up to watch the moon landing July 20th. But people remember Woodstock instead.

I wore plaid red and black bell bottoms in the early 70's in HS. I wore black shirts and white ties--4 " wide. I liked white bell bottoms with a white v neck shirt. I let my hair grow to 4" long after HS, but it didn't hang down my neck--I had a natural Afro with 1" curls.

I started going to church and I wore three piece suit. I also had a two piece suit, but it seemed less formal.

My HS, Midpark, in the Cleveland area had 2600 students in it. My class, 1974, had 777.

We listened to Karen Carpenter, Jim Croce, Led Zepplin's "Stairway to Heaven", the Animals, "House of the Rising Sun", Classical Gas, Popcorn. I got to see Wilt Chamberlain play against Kareem Jabbar (on TV). I saw the LA Lakers win 33 games in a row in 1972. Pete Maravich and George Gervin averaged well over 30 points per game, as did Jabbar.

That's enough memories for the night. G'night!

Ah... growing up in Cleveland in the 60's & 70's. A mayor that lit his hair on fire (Ralph Perk), a river that burned (the Cuyahoga), and a lake that was... Erie. And of course nickel beer night at the stadium where the crowd got a little out of hand.

Thankfully the city turned around and things are much better now. I grew up in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio just south of Cleveland. Went to Cuyahoga Heights (class of 77). Smallest school district in the area (there was 70 in my class). My nephew is a senior this year and I think there is only 65 in his class.

Some Cleveland memories from the past: going downtown at Christmas to see the Sterling Linder Christmas tree and Mr. Jingeling on Halle's seventh floor, and watching Barnaby (Linn Sheldon)and Friends and Romper Room on TV.

Haven't seen anyone mention the family super 8 movies and the old Betamax VCRs. Or those 70 TV shows: Emergency (with Gage & Desoto) and Starsky & Hutch. And one of my favorite bands, Lynyrd Skynyrd. I was lucky enough to have seen the the original band in 76.