Behind the Music

Episode 141: 1972

April 29, 2001 • 60 min

1972 was the year idealism gave way to cynicism. The once vibrant youth movement was feeling bitter and betrayed and rock & roll was losing faith in the revolution. America's innocence was dealt a series of punishing blows; as the U.S. began its slow retreat from Vietnam, a music scene long united by opposition to the war was dividing. Some rockers lashed out, other songwriters looked inward. 1972 was an election year and a White House under siege conspired to silence John Lennon - an outspoken critic. Impervious to politics, the original rebels of rock - the Rolling Stones - came rollin' down main street. Times had certainly changed - fashion statements were in, political statements were out.