60s music
Groove along to Beat Media's breakdown of the bands, artists, songs and culture that defined the 60s.
1968: Rock ’n’ Roll’s Triumphant Year
The year 1967 represented a cultural shift in music that would continue far past its 365 days. Turning the page onto a new year, 1968 was different. Multiple musicians that ruled the “Summer of Love” still found popular success throughout the coming year. Artists like The Beatles, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and The Rolling Stones all remained in the mainstream yet each allowed for change that was necessary.
By Shandi Pace7 years ago in Beat
Light My Fire
One of the most revolutionary bands of the 1960s was The Doors. Like other bands that skyrocketed to stardom and popularity, they had a vocalist that was dynamite – Jim Morrison. Like other such vocalists, unfortunately, in time Morrison discovered what it was like to climb to the top of the pedestal only to come tumbling down the hard way. He pushed himself to the limit mixing drugs with alcohol and hard living. Six years passed from the time of the formation of the band in 1966 to the death of Morrison in 1971. During that time they released six studio albums.
By Rasma Raisters7 years ago in Beat
Kinkology, Part 1: 'Kinks'
It has been a subject of lengthy debate over the years: "Stones or Beatles?"—usually asked as if those are the only two bands of note to have formed in 60s Britain. Yet, somewhere in the wake of these two greats, an obscure little four-piece named, The Ravens formed in North London, and went on to become one of the most underrated of British pop groups.
By Steve Trower7 years ago in Beat
Blood, Sweat, & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears is an American group known for playing contemporary jazz-rock from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. They recorded songs which were written by well-known rock and folk songwriters such as James Taylor and Billie Holiday. They came together in 1967 in New York City and made a mix of music which included rock, blues, pop, horn arrangements, and improvised jazz.
By Rasma Raisters7 years ago in Beat
"Stop in the Name of Love"
The Supremes was an American female singing group that came out with lots of memorable hits. They were at the top of the acts with Motown Records during the 1960s. The Supremes had a likable and bouncy sound and had 12 number one songs on the Billboard Hot 100. The Supremes originally began as the Primettes in Detroit, Michigan back in 1951. In the mid-1960s when they were on top, the Supremes actually rivaled The Beatles for popularity around the globe. It was their great success which paved the way for future R&B and soul musicians to gain popularity.
By Rasma Raisters7 years ago in Beat
Songs with Soul and Inspiration
Back in the mid-1960s, a popular duo on the music scene was The Righteous Brothers. What was interesting about them was that they were not really brothers they were Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield both born in 1941. They had a great singing style and one of their well-known songs was “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration”from 1966.
By Rasma Raisters7 years ago in Beat
The Amazing Talent of Simon & Garfunkel
Like being born under a lucky star, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel discovered that they had the talent to harmonize as early as the sixth grade. At that time, they lived and played in Forest Hills, Queens, New York City. When they became a duo, they wove their magic creating incredible melodies and songs in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
By Rasma Raisters7 years ago in Beat
On the Road in Somers with Scott Urgola
As could be said for most of us, hearing the Beatles for the first time begins a journey into music that never ends. “I decided at 13,” said Scott Urgola, “that I needed an electric guitar.” This as he was transfixed to the TV during the airing of the Beatles Anthology in 1996. Urgola would progress through that phase in high school and college. But the Somers singer/songwriter’s musical arrival didn’t start until introduced to an American legend much further removed from the telegenic electricity of the Beatles.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Beat
Paul McCartney's Two New Songs
I heard a new song by Paul McCartney earlier today on Sirius XM's The Beatles Channel—"Come On to Me"—and liked it enough that I just listened to it again on iHeart Radio, along with another new McCartney song, "I Don't Know," which I like even more. You can hear both along with the videos and lyrics over here.
By Paul Levinson8 years ago in Beat
The Most Powerful Political Songs of the Decade: The 1960s
Teeming with various issues regarding race, religion, and war, still, even 50 years later, the 1960s is one of the most newsworthy decades ever. From the Civil Rights Movement to the assassination of JFK, to rallies on the war in Vietnam, protest music was everywhere.
By Shandi Pace8 years ago in Beat
Sun Records
The year was 1950. A man by the name of Sam Phillips had a dream about recording hits that would blow music lovers out of the water. He loved playing music, but even more so he had the desire to record them. So after saving up as much money as he could, he bought a small little building on the corner of Marshall and Union Avenue. Originally it was called Memphis Recording Service, but in the year 1952 it became Sun Studio. He took his time making the small building his. He hung every piece of tile in the building, from the walls to the ceiling. He converted the old car garage into his very own Recording Studio. Sam Phillips worked hard, but not as hard as his secretary Marion Keisker. She was the first person any of the walk-in artist saw. Her smile and pretty eyes were always welcoming
By Kay Bernheart8 years ago in Beat
