1963
Sun 'n' Surf Meets London Turf

The Identity Search Teenage culture cracked open a generation gap as young people searched for their own modern identity. Artistic trends cast away fussy details. Inspired by space age technology, streamlined looks were fused into architecture, fashion, commercial products, and even automotive design. As communication satellites rose, so did the hemlines of neon-bright skirts. Skin was "in," especially on the warm Pacific coastlines.

Sun 'n' Surf Meets London Turf

Surfing culture surged into the Heartland with tunes by Jan and Dean, The Drifters, and especially The Beach Boys - surf's "big kahunas." Beach bunnies and surfer dudes swung to pop music focused on broken hearts, surfing, fast cars, and being "true to your school." New dance moves included the Twist, the Mashed Potato, the Swim, the Watusi, the Jerk. Girls in oversized "bird cages" shimmied in mini skirts and white go-go boots.

Suddenly, barely into 1964, all attention swiveled to the East Coast as four moptop songsters arrived from England to appear on "The Ed Sullivan Show." The look and sound of the Beatles - John, Paul, George, and Ringo - blitzed young America into Beatlemania, re-energized American rock, and started "The British Invasion."

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