I was 12 in 1960 and 21 in 1969 so this decade greatly influenced my life. If I were to say how it influenced me I would have to say it stimulated me in such crazy ways that I almost didn't survive until I was 25. But, from all the stimulation after I was married in 1974 I could finally appreciate the fulness of all the 1960s were. As we moved through the 1970s kind of coasting on all the struggles and deaths of our friends we were able as a generation throughout the world to prevent the end of all life on earth including humans. If I were to say to you why the 1960s were the way they were it would be that we all knew if we didn't do this the human race would be extinct with all life upon it within 10 years. So, from my point of view we did what we did so there still would be life on earth today including humans. And many of us died in the U.S., Viet Nam and around the world to keep humans still alive today on earth.

This series on the 1960s I find very difficult to watch especially the Kennedy Assassination and the Cuban Missile Crisis because these were the times when everyone thought the earth was toast the most and all life upon it soon would be gone en mass. So, even watching things about these times including the Viet Nam War still makes me wince at all the horror we all went through as Americans and around the world. But, the Beatles and all the English Rock groups coming to the U.S. is a happy time filled with happier memories for all of us who lived then. And today you all still get to benefit from their music still today and all the meanings of their lyrics and all the history worldwide.

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EXPLORE THE DECADE THAT SHAPED AMERICA

THURSDAYS 9P ET/PT

60s music: Brits or Yanks?

Everybody knows The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, but how well do you know the bands behind other hit songs from the '60s? See if you can guess whether these songs are from British or American groups.

WATCH VIDEO

Join the conversation

During every "Sixties" episode on CNN, you can chat with newsmakers and '60s personalities on CNN's Facebook page at 9 p.m. ET.
Previous conversations:
- CNN anchor Don Lemon and historian Tim Naftali
- Maj. Gen. (Ret.) James "Spider" Marks
- Warren Commission attorney Howard Willens and Alexandra Zapruder
- "Sixties" executive producers Gary Goetzman and Mark Herzog
-"Leave It To Beaver" star Jerry Mathers

Space race

Photos: Humans making history in space

About The Sixties

In collaboration with Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Mark Herzog, CNN explores the 1960s:
Episode 1: Television Comes of Age (May 29)
Episode 2: The World on the Brink (June 5)
Episode 3: The Assassination of Kennedy (June 12)
Episode 4: The War in Vietnam (June 19)
Episode 5: A Long March to Freedom (June 26)
Episode 6: The British Invasion (July 10)
Episode 7: The Space Race (July 17)
Episode 8: The Times They are A-Changin' (July 24)
Episode 9: 1968 (July 31)
Episode 10: Sex, Drugs, and Rock N' Roll (August 7)