Introduction to Music in the 1960’s
It is a well-known fact that the 1960’s were the decade when many important things happened and were happening all around the world. Some of those things were very good, and some of them were extremely bad. Generally speaking, the 1960’s were a new time in many aspects – different people were born and raised – people who were not afraid to stand up for what they believed in, people who were self-conscious and people who wanted to change the world, literally and metaphorically.
Although this phenomenon can be seen in many different aspects of life, it is believed that music is something that represents the spirit of the 1960’s in the best way possible. For instance, the hippie movement was all about freedom and peace, and these ideas can be best seen in the music from the 1960’s, since the movement influenced culture in general, including the music from the time.
Breakthroughs Concerning Music in the 1960’s
Like any other era, the 1960’s introduced a lot of new things to music, one of the most important being the real rock and roll music. Despite the fact that rock and roll music evolved from blues, jazz, country and gospel music in the 1940’s and the 1950’s, it was not until the 1960’s that it became the rock and roll we know today.
Namely, the 1960’s are the most important decade for the popularization of rock and roll music, and during the decade, it became the most popular musical genre in western culture. Also, the 1960’s were the time when some of the greatest names of the musical industry were at their best – Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Doors are just a few to mention.
One of the most important things that has to be mentioned when talking about music in the 1960’s is the Woodstock Festival, which happened in August 1969. It is one of the most important moments in the history of rock and roll, if not the single most important event in the history of music in general.
Most Popular Bands in the 1960’s
It can be said that the 1960’s have been one of the most prolific eras when it comes to the number of music bands which are still popular today, you will rarely attend an event with live music and the party band don’t play a few old classics. Here is a list of some of the most popular and most important music bands and individuals from the 1960’s:
- The Beatles – hailing from Liverpool, they came to the USA in the 1960’s and they quickly became one of the most popular bands in the world.
- The Rolling Stones – also a band from the UK, they became massively popular in the 1960’s, and went on to release 24 studio albums in the USA.
- Elvis Presley – although ”The King” became popular in the 1950’s, he released some of his best songs in the 1960’s, including Stuck on You, It’s Now or Never, Suspicious Minds, You’re the Devil in Disguise and others.
- Eric Clapton – whether in The Yardbirds, in Cream or as a solo artist, Eric Clapton is one of the best guitarists in the world, and one of the many musicians that became popular in the 1960’s.
- Bob Dylan – he has been one of the most influential people in music for five decades now with his songs serving as an inspiration for people who are against war and have strong opinions about civil rights and politics in general.
