The 1960s Dance Craze That NOBODY Remembers, And With Good Reason

#1 The Big & Crazy Sixties

The 1960s left a big impact on pop culture. Big bell bottoms, big music, big protests, big personalities, and big hair. In fact, my neighbor still rocks the same ‘do she did back in the in 1967. It’s as big and bold as Ann-Margaret's personality and as beautiful as Brigitte Bardot’s busiest beehive.

#2 Dance Crazes

But you know what was even bigger than hair back in the 1960s? Big dance crazes! There was the Twist, the Mashed Potato, the Watusi, and guuuurl, my neighbor could do a mean Pony. Ye-haw!

#3

Dance crazes were popping up every week, and it was hard to keep up with the latest craze at any given time. People loved to dance the night away to the latest rock-n-roll tunes on the ole jukebox. Sometimes people would just break out in dance wherever they were, probably to relieve the stress of the tumultuous times.

#4 There Were A LOT Of Fad And Novelty Dances

Almost every catchy song that was released had a song to go along with it. 'It's Mashed Potato Time' had, of course, The Mashed Potato dance. 'The Twist' had The Twist Dance and then Let's Twist Again. They were mostly fad and novelty dances to help sell the records. But the teenagers loved them!

There was The Shimmy, The Stroll, The Monkey, The Locomotion, and The Mouse. There were even some like "Simple Simon Says" that explained the dance steps and moves within the lyrics themselves.

#5 But Do You Recall 'The Nitty Gritty' Dance?

Yet, there’s one dance craze I don’t remember, and that was the Nitty Gritty. But boy, do I wish I did! It looks like it was a blast! Or at least for these well-dressed dancers it does anyway.

Just check out the gentleman in the front right, he’s really feeling the music! I mean, I suppose we can say, he’s getting down to the nitty-gritty. All in front of Judy Garland on The Judy Garland Show.

#6 Judy Garland Was Confused

Of course, it appears that Judy and her hosts were not quite sure just what this dance group was going to be performing when they booked them. The look on Judy's face is hilarious as they get down with the sound and perform for her and the national audience.

#7 They Even Did A Monster Mash Version Of The Dance

And guess what? They even used the same dance to promote The Monster Mash! That's right, the same people who thought up the Nitty-Gritty Dance gave us the Nitty Gritty Monster mash. I hear it was a graveyard smash.

#8 Get Ready To Relive The Nitty Gritty And Have A Laugh

Watch the video below and relive the glory of this iconic era like I did. Oh, and let me know what you think of Judy Garland in the comments. Confused, a little tipsy, glamorous as ever? I think just relieved it was over.

Please SHARE this fun retro flashback story with everyone you know because it’s sure to put a smile on anyone’s face! It did mine.