Swingin' Chicks of the '60s

by Chris Strodder

Book Overview

An affectionate tribute to the women who waged a cultural revolution, "Swingin' Chicks of the '60s" offers photos, profiles and little-known details of the lives of 101 defining divas of the decade,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0768322324
• ISBN13: 9780768322323
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Cedco Publishing Company
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 9.2" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great Layout

The book is organized well and informative.

But WHY did he leave out my name??

This is a wonderful exploration of the "Groovy" girls of the 60's, now elevated to "Swingin' Chicks" status by the author! (Why does that sound like something Frank would have said -- or sung?) Gee, I seem to meet all the criteria that would entitle me to being immortalized by Chris Stodder. But, maybe that's because I'm so old I actually remember the 60's. Wait a minute, that might only be a flashback. You see: proof positive that I really was there! However, I am willing to forgive Mr. Stodder, toast his fine accomplishment with bong water, and add his truly Groovy book to my collection. It's a happenin' thing. Love you, babe.

Where has this book been all my life?

I remember looking at the author's Swingin' Chicks of the 60's web site in '98, and thinking, Man, this would make a great book, if it was handled right. This book has not only been handled right, it's been handled superbly.The packaging and design of this book, a little over 200 pages, is perfect (hey, it's got Ann-Margret on the cover, so to me at least, it's perfect)- colorful, with those groovy 60's flowers all inside and out. It's also a great price for a paperback of coffee-table book quality. I may sound like a pimp saying that, but take a look at what other books of the same quality and size cost and you'll appreciate it.Each chick has such a nice section devoted to them that if you're only really into, say, Barbara Eden and Julie Newmar, it's worth picking up just for that... and you'll probably find yourself reading the rest of the book anyway, discovering chicks you never knew about, or chicks you had only seen before but never found out their name. You liked that chick in the Elvis Movie Spinout , the tomboy drummer who fell for him? Here's everything you ever wanted to know about Deborah Walley (filed under "the beach girls" section of the book).Nearly all of them get a two page spread.Each swingin' chick's section includes photos (some of the chicks actually loaned the author personal photos from their collection) most in color, Her Swingin' 60's Credentials (briefly explaining why they've been included in the book), Workin' It, (describing their career) behind the scenes (their personal life) and important dates in the 60's for each chick. It also includes my favorite to read, Her 60's Look, describing their personal style. Most of them have bonus swingability sections including their real name (they get extra points for changing their name) and little known facts (Raquel Welch supposedly almost became a Bond Girl and signed for Thunderball, but bowed out). If you're really a fan of the chick, you might know most of them, but I consider myself pretty well informed about Sophia Loren, and never knew until I read the book that she was originally going to play the love interest in North by Northwest instead of Eva Marie Saint. If the chick has a web site, the URL is included-- you'd be surprised how many of them have official web sites and not just fan or tribute sites.The 60's chicks are diced up into categories, by the way, so the book has sections for The Beach Girls, The Bond Beauties, The Elvis Girls! Girls! Girls!, The Look, The Movie Stars (a section for the all-americans such as Stella Stevens and another section for the British invasion)The TV Stars, and way more than I have the energy to type out. It's obvious that a lot of care went into this book; not only does the author genuinely care about each chick, and discuss them with the respect they deserve that is sorely lacking from many similar books, but it's incredibly well researched and documented. In most articles or features about Ann-Margret, I usually find a mistake. H

This Book is Groovy, Baby!

I love this kicky, colorful tribute to fabulous 60's chicks. The photos are great fun, and the information is so detailed. I learned a lot about ladies I was already familiar with, and was introduced to some amazing stories, such as Chris Noel--a starlet who gave up her career to devote herself to entertaining vets in Viet Nam. It was also great to read that so many of the women went on to brilliant careers as writers, producers or businesswomen. There are very few "crash-and-burn" stories. This book is great for any one who loves the 60's, entertainment history, or powerful stories about great women.

Celebrate the groovy, glorious and goofy girls of the 60's!

Chris Strodder's "Swingin' Chicks of the 60's" is a well-researched, fact-filled and very humourous trip down memory lane. Even if you don't remember the 60's or know all 101 of the girls, this book is for you. Strodder gives the 60's lowdown on the careers and lives of these women but also fully chronicles their lives from their early beginnings to what they are doing today. The book includes the big names you'd expect to see like Marilyn Monroe, Ann-Margret, Cher and Twiggy but also includes models Veruschka and Edie Sedgwick, singers Nico and Joey Heatherton and TV stars Barbara Feldon and Angela Cartwright (the author's first crush and the inspiration for his web-site). Many of these swingin' chicks have lived the 60's ideal that one person can indeed change the world for the better: Julie Newmar's political activism, Chris Noel's lifelong commitment to Vietnam Vets, Mary Tyler Moore's tireless work for the Diabetes Foundation, Tina Louise's school literacy programs and Cathy Rigby's involvement with the Special Olympics. This lively, informative book has chapters which include Beach Girls, Bond Beauties, Elvis Girls, Movie Stars of America, Britain and International, Songbird, TV Stars and even Cartoon Cuties. You'll discover the early careers of Carolyn Jones of TV's The Adams Family (Texas disc jockey) and Deborah Walley of Gidget fame (Ice Capades skater) while learning the secret behind Natalie Wood's ever-present bracelets (read the book!). The book is a large-format trade paperback with colorful graphics which capture the 60's look and the text is enhanced with over 300 photos. This book is a must-have for everyone!