1961 was clearly a vintage year. Beauty, brains, personality and sporting prowess illustrate the unique qualities of that year’s fine crop; many of which are now rising to dominance.
George Clooney (6 May), a two-time sexiest man alive (I was apparently ineligible) not only makes great films but has also become a vocal liberal advocate, although some of his comments mystify me. For example in a recent Rolling Stone interview, he comments, “Anyone who’s gone through the Sixties and didn’t smoke a joint. I don’t want you for President. You haven’t lived at all. What the **** is wrong with you?” Well I guess there’s a lot wrong with me. George, not everyone smoked (or is it smokes) joints – does that make me a bad person? I have also been married to the same woman for 22 years and she was my first girlfriend thereby making me a certifiable freak by George’s standards.
George is, of course, supporting fellow 61-er Barack (4 August) for President, Barack passes the Clooney test by admitting to having smoked a few joints, when asked the Clinton question as to whether he inhaled he has a good response, “I thought that was the point.” Moving on to sports, Dan Marino is actually my twin! We were both born on 15th September 1961 and while Barack is still early in his career, Dan is already the retired elder statesman with a statue in the Hall of Fame and a lucrative advertising deal touting the benefits of Nutrisystem for us retired athletes. Its an interesting paradox that retirement in sports coincides with baptism in politics.
Then we have the late-Diana (1 July) who must surely rival George as the sexiest product of 61. Sadly she has been departed for a decade now but Paris, Jennifer, Anglina, Posh and the rest should pay homage to the image she created that each has partially built upon.
Finally there is yours truly who must surely represent the archetypal ‘61 model – forget sexiness, acting ability, political savvy, sporting prowess and beauty - the real deal is a husband and father, moderately obese (so my doctor informs me), Lipitor swallowing, beer drinking, graying, golf playing excuse for a man who likes to be in bed (and asleep) by 10pm. You must be wondering if I am going to support Barack as he is my birth-year brother. Well that remains to be seen; personally my first preference would be Ricky Gervais creator and star of the original "Office" but like me he can never be President so maybe I will just sit on the sidelines and snipe as usual, unless Eddie Murphy (3 April) runs!
In addition to me, '61 also gave us Tony Soprano, sorry James Gandolfini (18 September) The Edge from U2 (8 August) and Heather Locklear (25 September) and its clear to see what a special vintage ‘61 was. Of course I am conveniently omitting our black sheep brethren, namely Scott Baio, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ann Coulter and former-Enron CFO, Andrew Fastow but that’s an author’s prerogative isn’t it?
