A Classic from the "Sixties"

Younger readers won't recognize the name of Arlo Guthrie or the name of his famous song, "Alice's Restaurant Massacree"—but here's your chance to fill in that cultural void.

Guthrie released the song (it took up one whole side) on his 1967 vinyl album (left). It became one of the most popular anti-war anthems of the Vietnam War era. It's a true, albeit embellished, story of something that happened to Guthrie as an 18-year-old. The chorus is addictive and the guitar foundation has become a classic for fingerstyle guitar players.

If you have 16' 35" to spare, listen to Guthrie perform this classic at Farm Aid 2005. And read the story of the song here. (If you wonder what the fuss is about, it's because you missed the 'Sixties—making fun of the police and the military was what occupied a large part of the decade.)