LIGHTS and SHADOWS of 1957

1. LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF 1957

A profile of the year 1957.
The first chapter of LIGHTS and SHADOWS,
a book by Ernesto Granese

I was born in 1957, a year that was to become the peak of the Baby Boomer years, marked by extraordinary events.

In science, it was the beginning of the space race, with the launch of Soviet satellite Sputnik 1 and 2, the latter being the first to carry a dog (Laika) on board.

In technology, 1957 was the year of Chevrolet and Fiat 500; also marking the launch of the first electric portable typewriter.

On the political front, 1957 saw the signing of The Treaty of Rome, which established the EEC (European Economic Community), a predecessor of the European Union.

In the early months of 1957 an interview to Ernesto Che Guevara appears in the New York Times. For the first time the world learns about the Cuban revolution and Ernesto Che Guevara’s lasting, mythical image.

In cinema and literature, Dr Zhivago took the lime light. On the music scene it was the golden year of Rock and Roll, with musicians such as Elvis, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent leading the musical revolution. In Italy, Renato Carosone and his ‘boogie-woogie’ trio where the new craze!

In blues, John Lee Hooker was the new rising star; in Jazz ingenious saxophonist John Coltrane reached the peak of his success.

1957 was also the year of the inauguration of RAI, the Italian broadcasting network, and the début of Carosello, with its enjoyable, unforgettable TV commercials which accompanied the childhood years of many Italians of my generation.

On July 6th of that year – John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time, as teenagers, at Woolton Fete, 3 years before forming the Beatles.

Some of my favourite actors, such as John Turturro and Spike Lee, were born in 1957; others like Humphrey Bogart and Oliver Hardy died in the same year.

This, in a nutshell, is an outline of just some of the events that took place in 1957. But by far the most important event of that year, I’m sure you will agree, is my birth, without which I would not be here to tell you my story!

ERNESTO GRANESE

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Sputnik

The first electric typewriter

Fiat 500

Ernesto Che Guevara

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