Beatlemania: Used to describe the virtual hysteria that accompanied the Beatles on their tours. Also refers to the successful marketing of the Beatles, their records and other products.

Beatniks: Derived from the term “beat”, beatniks were the precursors of the hippies. This tribe included authors Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs and others who believed the essence in life is to follow your desires and experience all… Continue reading →

Beautiful People: Used to describe hippies or cool persons.

Bean bag chair: A big amorphous chair covered with Naugahyde vinyl (or leather or other material)…usually filled with little styrofoam balls. You could sit in it and it would shape itself to you. They were very comfortable and relaxing.

Be-In: One of the first gatherings of hippies, January 14, 1967 at the Polo field in Golden Gate Park. It was called “A Gathering of the Tribes”. In attendance were the Grateful Dead, the Jefferson Airplane, Timothy Leary, Allen Ginsberg,… Continue reading →

Bellbottoms: Pants with wide bell shaped legs worn by hippies. Bought as cheap clothing at Army/Navy surplus stores, these were NAVY issued denim pants for sailors, once they caught on they were popularized to the point that major manufacturers made them.

Benzedrine: ‘Bennies’..’Pep Pills’ ‘Uppers’. Used as diet pills, these became abused as mood elevators.

Berkeley: The primary campus of the University of California at Berkeley. The origin of the Free Speech movement where the students confronted the University’s policies regarding the right to be vocal and politically active on campus property. One of the… Continue reading →

Birkenstocks: These are sandals that were all the rage in the early 70’s. They are shaped to your foot and toes with a fair amount of support. Unfortunately they’re not for everyone, as I could never get a pair that… Continue reading →

Black Muslim Movement: Black separatist movement advocating racial division and separation from White society. Two of these developed. One was under Elijah Muhammed. Malcolm X was part of this movement and chose to splinter off into a separate movement when… Continue reading →