VIETNAM IN 1969: A true story

 |   |  <1 min read

VIETNAM IN 1969: A true story

In 1969, as an 18-year old, I went to Vietnam.

Not to fight of course, but as a short-term "tourist".

It was a brief event in a long life but confirmed for me even at that early age that here was a war which could not be won by traditional military means. I thought the same of various countries in the Middle East when I flew over them some decades later.

A few years ago I was invited to speak on radio about Vietnam, a country I went back and visited properly in '95 (the year after it was opened up for tourism, and there were damn few of us) and then again in '97.

It was an Anzac Day programme so my recollections are peppered with music of the Vietnam era.

The programme is here

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Something Elsewhere articles index

10 MORE SHAMEFUL RECORD COVERS I'M PROUD TO OWN

10 MORE SHAMEFUL RECORD COVERS I'M PROUD TO OWN

Further to the previous selection of bad taste or just plain awful album covers, comes this batch . . . kicking off with PIL playing the old Magritte card with their album That What is Not.... > Read more

A FAST 15 MINUTES: Is it better in English?

A FAST 15 MINUTES: Is it better in English?

A 15 minute programme of familiar songs sung in a language other than that in which they were written. The global village goes pop, in its own words. For more of these fast 15 minute... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Paddy Burgin

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Paddy Burgin

Wellington's Paddy Burgin is a wonder with wood. He can make it speak and sing. Burgin fashions it into guitars, some of which he plays in his band Paddy Burgin and the Wooden Box Band whose album... > Read more

Speed Caravan: Kalashnik Love (Adami)

Speed Caravan: Kalashnik Love (Adami)

The sound of the oud, a Middle Eastern lute, has frequently found favour at Elsewhere, notably with Le Trio Joubran and Anouar Brahem, and albums like Cairo Nights. But as the title of this... > Read more