A Degree of Swing : Lessons in the Facts of Life; Leicester 1958-64

"A Degree of Swing" will bring back many memories for those who grew up in the early 1960s and experienced the radical changes to popular culture through music and fashion. It questions whether the supposed excesses of the 'swinging sixties' were as widespread as social history suggests. The period 1958-64 saw radical changes to the lives of most young people and the beginnings of a culture for the young based around popular music and fashion. Colin Miller's memories of his life as a working class student in the city of Leicester help to illustrate these changes, as well as highlighting the many personal and social challenges that confronted young men on the threshold of adulthood at that time. He also recalls the people and events that shaped his musical development and eventual involvement in the beat music scene of the city and its university. This book will bring back many memories for people who grew up in the early 1960s and will help later generations to appreciate how very different personal experiences and expectations were for young men and women fifty or so years ago. It also questions whether the supposed excesses of the 'swinging sixties' were as widespread as popular history suggests.