re: The 60's
In 1965, I was 12. My home town was ripped to hell by tornadoes in May, and most of the year was rebuilding and moving from school to school while the old one was rebuilt.
I had been scheduled to go on a school trip to Chicago by train, the first real trip anywhere, and it was cancelled. The tickets for that trip were the only thing I hauled into the basement with me. Our home, fortunately, suffered only minor damage. Three blocks in either direction on my street, the homes were random piles of broken lumber.
I was following the space program intently, and not rock and roll so much, although I did listen to the music on the radio.