What does it mean, "If you can remember the sixties, you weren't there."?
I heard there's a saying, "If you can remember the sixties, you weren't there."
Does it mean those who lived in the sixties can't remember those years because they're all dead due to alcoholism and drug abuse, etc?

Question

What does it mean, "If you can remember the sixties,  you weren't there."?
I heard there's a saying,  "If you can remember the sixties,  you weren't there."
Does it mean those who lived in the sixties can't remember those years because they're all dead due to alcoholism and drug abuse, etc?

Answer

Close.  They are still alive but they can't remember the time for the reasons you give.