Montana Public Radio to highlight 1968 in music and programming

Montana Public Radio will look back on 1968 with special programming and music June 2-9.

The year was one of the most memorable and historic in the history of our country. Many events still stand out 50 years later – the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War, U.S. Olympians raising their fists during the medal ceremony, Apollo 8 circling the moon and the chaos of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

And then there was the music – Johnny Cash performing at Folsom State Prison, the Beatles traveling to India, The Who begin recording the rock opera “Tommy” and seminal bands the The Yardbirds, Cream, Led Zeppelin and Yes performing for the first time.

Programming highlights for MTPR's weeklong event will include:

• A “Monday Music Special” at 8 p.m. from Beau Baker and an “Into the Groove” show with Joan Richarde at 11 p.m. Monday, June 4.
• “Freeforms” each day will feature music from the great rock and pop albums released in 1968, including records by Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Steppenwolf, Fleetwood Mac, Ray Charles and many more.
• Newly formed bands like Yes, Rush, Led Zeppelin, King Crimson and Crosby, Stills and Nash will be featured throughout the week.
• “Get To That” at 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, and “What I Like About Jazz” at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, will feature the jazz, folk, roots and bluegrass music from 1968.
• Even “Morning Classics” will get into the action with some special music – although some of it might be from 1868.
• Montana Public Radio is a public service of the University of Montana and broadcasts on 89.1 Missoula (KUFM); 91.5 Missoula (K218AI); 91.9 Hamilton (KUFN); 89.5 Polson (KPJH); 90.1 Kalispell, Whitefish, North Valley (KUKL); 90.5 Libby (KUFL); 91.7 Kalispell (K219BN); 101.3 Swan Lake (K267BJ); 91.3 Butte (KAPC); 91.7 Helena (KUHM); 91.7 Dillon (K219DN); and 89.9 Great Falls (KGPR).