In the 1960s, rock music experienced great disruption: hard and soft sounds were split apart into distinct genres, punk’s emphasis on authenticity being contrasted against glam’s celebration of artifice.
Country & Western saw stars such as Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette emerge, while in Africa, Fela Kuti and Mulatu Astatke pioneered Afrobeat.
The Beatles
The Beatles had an enormous impact on music and culture. Their music helped bridge the gap between young people and adults by appealing to both groups simultaneously. Furthermore, their example inspired many bands to experiment with sound and style of their own.
Brian Epstein was drawn to The Beatles after seeing them perform live for the first time at his Liverpool record store in September 1961. Immediately, he became their manager and started sending tape recordings of their songs out to all major British record companies until finally Parlophone agreed to sign them.
Lennon and McCartney were the main songwriters for The Beatles, though other members also made contributions. Harrison provided more eastern flavoring to their spiritual pursuit. Furthermore, The Beatles pioneered studio technology, first using feedback sounds on ‘I Feel Fine’ – using feedback sounds for the first time on any rock song ever! Additionally, The Beatles experimented extensively with their sound by altering song patterns or including unconventional ideas like acoustic guitars in songs they performed.
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones were the original rock ‘n’ roll rebels. Their song, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, captured perfectly the anti-establishment attitude of young musicians seeking to upend established norms and subvert conventional assumptions. Furthermore, their creative album cover art inspired other bands to experiment with their own creative visual designs for album releases.
The Stones first formed as an alliance in 1962 between vocalist Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards and bassist Bill Wyman. At first they performed as a loose gathering of students and bohemians playing an obscure form of Chicago blues music in pubs and clubs throughout London.
In 1968, they returned to their driving rock-and-roll roots on their album Beggars Banquet and then in 1969 on Let It Bleed and Sticky Fingers with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” becoming one of Britain’s iconic songs and touring as the face of teenage Britain once more.
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys defined 1960s pop with their innovative combination of beach music and vocal harmony, becoming one of its signature sounds. Since their 1961 debut with regional hits on small labels to their breakthrough with a psychedelic version of “Surfin’ Safari” in 1962, their songs captured teenage America’s hopes, dreams, and struggles perfectly.
Brian gradually secured studio autonomy that propelled his band into revolutionary pop territory; however, All Summer Long and 1968’s Friends did not please audiences or critics alike.
Capitol Records collaborated with band member Mike Love to release Endless Summer, a double album compilation that revitalized their commercial standing. Its cheery graphic cover increased interest in their early albums. Following Endless Summer’s success, The Beach Boys continued touring and issuing studio albums up through late ’70s; but they would never recapture the magic that began their career back in 1966.
The Kinks
The Kinks are widely acclaimed as one of the most influential bands in pop music history. Starting out as part of the British Beat movement and expanding to concept albums, stadium rock, and acoustic balladeering; from their start as part of British Beat through concept albums, stadium rock, acoustic balladeering, concept albums and balladeering; they left an unimpeachable legacy of timeless songs – led by lead singer Ray Davies’ social commentary taking aim at fashion victims (Dedicated Follower of Fashion) while simultaneously targeting upper class hedonists through Waterloo Sunset;
By the end of the decade, The Kinks had cemented their status as a major force with their critically-acclaimed albums Face to Face and Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire). The group from North London’s working-class outskirts proved an inspiration to contemporary bands such as Paul Weller of The Jam and Britpop-era bands Oasis and Blur who all cited The Kinks as key influences. They eventually faded from view during late 70s/early 80s but eventually made their return with radio friendly releases such as Low Budget/Sleepwalker/Give the People What They Want albums released during late 80s/early 80s US releases Low Budget/Sleepwalker/Give the People What They Want albums released during late 70s/early 80s US releases like Low Budget/Sleewalker/Give The People What They Want/Give The People What They Want albums released to revive them back into prominence by mid 80s/early 80s/early 80s re-established themselves with US releases such as Low Budget/ Sleepwalker/Give the People What They Want that featured much radio playback later that decade and early 80s; although at that time their legacy would endure until 1980’s American releases; eventually faded from American radio friendly releases Low Budget/ Sleepwalker/Give the People What They Want/Give The People What They Want albums which once again established their fame on American radio stations played more radio friendly formats with US releases such as Low Budget/ Sleepwalker/Give the People Want onward.
The Monkees
The Monkees stood out as a manufactured group who defied ’60s music trends; breaking out of their television show to become one of pop’s bestselling acts. While their early songs – including Last Train to Clarksville and Pleasant Valley Sunday – weren’t exactly revolutionary, later albums like Head featured subversive messages within some of ’60s most catchy bubblegum pop tunes.
Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork joined English actor Davy Jones to form The Four Seasons. While initially only given limited roles in the recording studio, as time progressed they gradually began writing their own songs and developing as musicians – inspiring a wave of creative music in America with longer hair becoming fashionable, guitar sales increasing dramatically and new bands being formed across the nation. Their fame would continue long past their television series which ran from 1966-1968; together their four songwriters would go on to release thirteen albums – with Head being their flagship release which released in 1967
The Motown Sound
Motown Records of Detroit produced pop-influenced soul music through their Motown label. One chart-topping hit for Motown included “Please Mr Postman” by The Marvelettes from 1961, followed by hits for The Supremes (initially featuring Diana Ross) and Temptations; many songs by Motown founder Berry Gordy as well as Norman Whitfield and Holland-Dozier-Holland song writing teams.
Their work shaped the style and sound of this decade, still influential today thanks to hip hop and dance anthem reworked from their sounds. Songs from this period reflected traditional romantic themes while reflecting shifting courtship patterns and sexual mores.
The British Invasion
After skiffle, a wave of homegrown British artists from Britain began invading America. Their sounds marked a departure from the vocal girl groups, pre-Motown teen idols and instrumental surf music that had dominated charts for so long.
The Yardbirds stood as an outstanding example, featuring Eric Clapton’s impressive lead guitar work and their versatile songwriting. Meanwhile, Kinks and Who also proved themselves with compositions ranging from hard rock (“You Really Got Me”) to humorous social comment (such as “A Well Respected Man”).
But the greatest impact on American pop music came from Motown Records in Detroit. Producer Berry Gordy used gospel, jazz and rhythm and blues genres – such as those popularized by Diana Ross (1944-), Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Four Tops and Marvin Gaye – to form Motown. Gordy employed songwriters who created songs that spoke directly to soulful listeners; these helped pave way for new waves of black artists like Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.
The New Wave
New Wave first emerged as a genre during the early 1980’s and was widely popularized by MTV. Bands like Duran Duran, Adam & the Ants, Billy Idol, The Cars, Depeche Mode and others such as Duran Duran were seen performing across television broadcasts and nightclubs; musicians often utilized synthesizers resulting in what has since been termed synth pop.
This musical movement served as a counter to arena-rock’s excessive rock music with more commercial sounds that incorporated punk influences. Bands such as Blondie and The Pretenders achieved immense popularity by appealing to diverse groups with their eclectic styles.
Many new wave musicians were heavily influenced by the experimental studio technology of the 1970’s. Bands such as Roxy Music utilized various studio effects like flanging and delay, as well as synthesizers in order to produce unique sounds while creating an atmosphere of futurisim which later artists such as David Bowie and King Crimson would find compelling.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll was once an emblem of youth rebellion against established culture, yet over time its appeal has diminished significantly, leaving us bemused that an expensive museum and hall of fame honor these same musicians who played similar music over and over – a genre seemingly at odds with modern society.
Now is the time to change that, with recent inductees such as Missy Elliott, Sheryl Crow and Nelson representing a more inclusive approach to pop music while others such as Gary Numan and 10cc embodying technology with artistic flourish.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should broaden its horizons by considering international acts. Recognizing acts such as Fela Kuti and Mulatu Astatke – two pioneering Afrobeat groups who combined Latin music, African rhythms, and jazz into an entirely new sound – may also help widen its scope.