In the 1960s, bands experimented with different genres of music and their efforts gave birth to genres such as Punk and Heavy Metal.
Little Richard’s Tutti Frutti brought youthful vibrancy to rock and roll music. Its lively energy and unstoppable swagger inspired generations of young musicians.
Loretta Lynn was an innovator in country music, singing about women who “put up their hands for the man of her dreams”. Additionally, she was one of the first artists to glorify drug use through pop song.
The Beatles
In 1963, Liverpool foursome The Beatles revolutionized popular culture. Their energetic recordings of original tunes and classic American rock and roll began airing on various British Broadcasting Corporation radio programs and quickly propelled them into the hearts and minds of music fans everywhere – not only teens.
The Beatles had such a profound effect on music that, by the end of their decade-long reign, they had redefined rock and roll as a cultural phenomenon. Additionally, many of their contemporaries such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Fats Domino became canonical sources of inspiration for aspiring rock musicians.
“She’s a Rainbow” by The Beatles remains one of the most iconic rock and roll songs ever recorded. A psychedelic tune featuring string arrangements by Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, it marked one of their early songs addressing issues of racial unity – an issue particularly relevant during times when moral panics regarding race mixing (like Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes”), car thefts (Dion and the Belmonts’s “Rocket 88,” Royal Teens “Black Slacks”), high school romance (The Coasters “Mabellene”, Pat Boone’s “Two Hearts”) were rampant throughout America.
The Beatles’ version of this song marks an early experimentation with vibrato guitar playing – something still relatively novel in rock at that time – as well as an exciting transition away from their earlier pop sound towards more experimental approaches that would characterize later work in psychedelia and beyond. Janis Joplin provides memorable vocals in this track who tragically died just three years later at 27.
Sly & the Family Stone
Sly Stone started his musical career as a San Francisco R&B disc jockey mixing white performers such as The Beatles into his playlists, then in 1964 formed Sly and the Stoners which later combined with his brother Freddie’s band, Freddie and the Stone Souls, to become Sly & the Family Stone. Within that group were trumpeter Cynthia Robinson from Freddie’s band; drummer Greg Errico; as well as sax player Jerry Martini and bassist Larry Graham who pioneered what became known as “slap bass”.
Signed to Epic Records, their debut album A Whole New Thing was both musically and critically successful, yet sales limitations limited them to small clubs. Clive Davis persuaded Sly to write and release “Dance to the Music”, reaching #8 on Billboard charts that same month. That same month Rose Stone joined as vocalist/keyboardist altering their sound from psychedelic funk into mainstream pop/rock.
Sly and the Family Stone proved themselves true rock-and-roll artists at Woodstock in August 1969 after several lackluster hits from Higher!. Opening with “Everyday People”, followed by “Dance to the Music”, Sly and Family Stone had audiences on their feet singing along in full voice throughout their set at Woodstock.
After performing several classics from their catalog, Sly and the Family Stone concluded the concert with an improvisational piece. Beginning with Sly clapping and singing “Thank you” to the crowd, other members joined in, creating an already great groove with horn parts and Sly’s distinctive voice.
The Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards formed their band in 1962 as teenagers playing blues music in pubs and clubs across Britain, using Muddy Waters songs as their model. Following an appearance at London’s Electric Ballroom, the Blues Boys officially named themselves and began performing live. Following another gig at London’s Electric Ballroom they decided on calling themselves simply the Boys.
Richards became inspired after seeing a poster for The Rolling Stones that displayed in London Hippodrome and decided to use that name for their new group. From then onwards, its legacy would continue.
The Stones rose to fame through their self-titled debut album released in 1964 and quickly became England’s second-most-favorite band after The Beatles. However, due to their rough edges and provocative appearance in public they often were subjected to sensationalist articles in British media outlets where their presence led to accusations of danger or rebellion as well as proximity to black musicians/artists which led some critics to accuse them of posing a potential racial threat.
In America, The Stones immediately resonated with American audiences and quickly rose to become one of the best-selling groups. Additionally, their lips-and-tongue logo became one of the most recognisable symbols of rock and roll culture.
Although The Rolling Stones had dabbled briefly with psychedelia, their 1968 album Beggars Banquet saw them return to driving rock and roll. One of their most malevolent singles “Sympathy for the Devil,” featuring droning chords and heavy drumming is an example of 60s rock music influenced by The Stones who refused to be tied down by any specific genre or label – something which has inspired numerous musicians over time and cemented their status as one of rock music history’s most influential bands! The Stones remain one of its most influential bands ever, leaving many musicians who come after.
The Kinks
The Kinks were one of the pioneering bands to push the limits of rock ‘n’ roll music during its formative years in England during the 1960s. Their unique sound stood them out amongst peers and their approach to cultural issues made them unforgettable. Additionally, they had an incredible knack for producing hit after hit that few other bands could match in that era.
Ray and Dave Davies founded The Kinks in London’s Muswell Hill area of England in 1963, starting off their music career with “You Really Got Me,” an eight-chord three-chord rock single Dave achieved by cutting fabric off of his amplifier’s speakers! From there they went on to release a series of albums covering an extremely diverse musical spectrum.
By the time they released their third album, The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, The Kinks had become a beloved cult act with fans fiercely supporting their music regardless of its performance in charts or airplay. Their songs combined simple rock style with British humor to produce songs unlike anything else available today.
At a time when other groups were exploring trippy psychedelica, The Kinks stood out by sticking with lyrics that addressed daily reality and produced many hits and became cult acts over time. Even now, their music can still be found playing on radio stations and TV commercials; further proving their impactful musical legacy.
Nick Drake
Nick Drake (1948 — 1974) did not find widespread popularity during his life, yet his acoustic guitar-based music has earned a large and growing following since his passing. Part of its appeal may stem from its lack of familiar rock and roll cliches that other artists employ in order to gain attention; according to Robin Frederick, Nick’s sister. His music “was simply very pure. He wouldn’t want anything less.”
Rock and roll had initially started out as music of protest and social commentary, but by the late ’50s it had begun to mature into more socially responsible expression. Many groups used their music to address larger social and political concerns with directness that is hard to come by today – for instance Creedence Clearwater Revival’s 1968 album Beggars Banquet offered direct criticism of drug culture while Billy Thornton’s song “Parachute Woman” condemned materialism of suburban living.
Five Leaves Left by Drake was produced by Joe Boyd of Fairport Convention and featured delicate melodies with melancholic lyrics that was produced by Joe. On its follow up album Bryter Layter he explored more lush arrangements including jazz elements. But Pink Moon remains Drake’s masterpiece; written as an antidepressant statement upon falling into depression during its creation; widely considered one of rock music’s most melancholy statements ever. Haunting yet beautiful; listen here on Spotify!