Fascinating Vintage Photos of British Youth Culture From the 1950s and 1960s

Britain is one of the most innovative, advanced, and torrent nations, and it is also one of the most globalized countries in terms of its culture. The high literacy rate and freedom of speech have allowed the youth to nurture and flourish their perception and reflection on society. The British child inherits post-colonial identity, and it has helped to make London the cultural and commercial capital of Europe. This course will examine the history, sociology, aesthetics, and economics of British youth culture, from the early days of jazz and rock ‘n’ roll through to Beatlemania, Punk, Britpop, Rave, and the latest contemporary developments.

The first teenage generation with absolute freedom emerged in the 1960s. The parents of sixties youth had already suffered World War II trauma and wanted their children to enjoy their lives. By the early 1960s, teenagers were already significantly different from those of two decades ago. These beautiful vintage photos offer a glimpse into the 1960s British youth culture.

#1 A pair of ‘spivs’ hanging out, London, 1954.

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#2 Young people dancing to rock & roll, Manchester, 1956.

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#3 Girl, Soho, October 14, 1959

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#4 Couple, Richmond Jazz Festival, July 1962

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#5 Jivers, Richmond Jazz Festival, July 1962

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#6 Four young men at a smart London bar, 1953.

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#7 A gang member lounging outside a coffee stall, London, 1953.

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#8 A pair of young women by the fountains in Trafalgar Square, London, 1953.

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#9 A young couple in a London pub, 1954.

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#10 A group of young people playing cards, 1954.

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#11 Teddy boys at the Mecca Dance Hall in Tottenham, London, 1954.

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#12 A group of spivs playing dice, 1954.

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#13 Young people enjoying themselves in a jazz club, 1954.

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#14 A group of ‘spivs’ at a local cafe in the Notting Hill Gate area of London, 1954.

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#15 A group of spivs loitering in Notting Hill, London, 1954.

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#16 A group of teenagers at a ceremony, 1955.

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#17 Young people at a cafe in London, 1955.

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#18 A pair of young employees running through Waterloo train station, London, 1955.

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#19 A Teddy boy jiving at a jazz and hot gospel concert in Leeds town hall, 1955.

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#20 A group of rock ‘n’ roll fans chatting on the street, 1956.

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#21 Teenagers enjoy an evening at the Cotton Dance Hall in Rochdale, 1957.

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#22 A pair of unemployed teenagers on a street corner, Liverpool, 1957.

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#23 A group of teenagers on their night out, Liverpool, 1957.

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#24 Teenage boy, October 15, 1959

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#25 Teddy boys on a corner, Southam Street, 1956

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#26 Teddy girls, Battersea Fun Fair

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#27 Southam Street, London

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#28 Southam Street, London

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#29 Southam Street, London

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#30 Southam Street, London

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#31 Southam Street, London

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#32 Teddy boys, Princedale Road, 1956

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#33 Group with policeman, Southam Street, 1956

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#34 Teenagers, Soho Fair, 1958

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#35 Teenage band, Parkhill Estate, Sheffield, “Teenage night”, April 7 1961

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#36 Hampstead Heath Fair, 1961

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#37 Teenagers on the ground, Beaulieu Jazz Festival, 1961

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#38 Boys gambling, Princedale Road, April 15 1956

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#39 Couple Jiving, “Teenage night”, April 7 1961

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#40 Girl, Beaulieu Jazz Festival, July 29 1961

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#41 Rockers, Brixton, 1863

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#42 Southam Street, London

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#43 Two teenagers, Soho, October 14, 1959

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#44 Rockers on motorcycles, Brixton, 1963

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#45 Couple in front of window, Richmond Jazz Festival, July 1962

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#46 Girl eating crisps with couple

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#47 Jivers, Richmond Jazz Festival, July 1962

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