1960s

The Rise of The Hippies

The Rise of the Hippies was a large cultral change to society. The Hippie subculture began its development through youths in the United States and then later developed around the world. It was a respose to 1950s ideal of assimilation and the on going Vietnam War. Visually they wore bell bottom jeanswith fringe at the ankle and flower patches, they protested for peace and love which they promoted openness and tolerance as alternatives to the restrictions and regimentataion they saw in middle-class society. Music associated wit the Hippies would be folk rock such as Simon and Garfunkel and pyschodelic rock associated to Hendrix.

Introduction To The Decade

The 1960s was a decade of social and cultral changes in society. Young individuals became political activists and become the drving force behind the civil rights and antiwar movements. The decade inclded the early assassination of President John F. Kennedy in April 1963 as well as the assassination of Martin Luter King Jr who was an inspirational spokesmen on rights for black individuals, and was one of the main leaders of the civil rights movement in the 1950s.

During the 1960s, rock n roll dominated the music industry with musicians such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix etc created images for themselves, as many artists spoke about social and cultral problems that were occuring. Social problems such as the civil rights movement, the opposition to the veitnam war, feminism, as well as the first stirring of gay rights. Many musicians sparked their concerns through music.

One of the worlds most famous festivals to know took place in 1969 and it was called Woodstock. Woodstock was known for its wildness and the overwhelming crowds, artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone to name a few. It was an opportunity for people to escape into music and spread a mesage of unity and peace.

Harmonic Analysis

Guitar

Within the 1960s, the most common chord progression on the guitar was I-IV-V. It traces its roots back to the 1950s blues, musicians commonly played these basic chord progressions but in different variations to create a different sound. Jimi Hendrix was a mostly self taught guitarist was known to use the 7#9 chord is an extended dominant 7th chord with an augmented (sharpened) ninth. This chord form got its nickname because it was a favorite of Hendrix, who did a great deal to popularize its use in mainstream rock music.

Hendix's hit 'Purple Haze' in 1967, was built upon a staccato tritone intro a tension explosively released when the Experience launches into the verse with Hendrix blasting out a raw and aggressively bluesy E7#9 chord. A tritone is a musical interval thats composed of two notes that are six semitones. Rock and Roll revotionalised the 1960s, its purest form was overtaken by pop rock, blues rock,pyschodelic rock and folk rock, the popular chord progression used in the 1960s, was C-F-G (I-IV-V) it traces back to the roots of the 1950s blues sequence.

The Beatles grew in popularity within the 1960s and became one of the biggest bands in the world. The harmonic language of the Beatles mainly used the chords I, IV and V (in C major: C, F and G major) and the relative minors vi and ii (A minor and D minor). The Beatles sound would be pyschodelic rock as well as the infleunec of blues music in their lyrics. Pyschodelic rock can also be referred to as acid rock, was formed during the rise of the hippies in the 60s in America through the involved of experimental drugs that were beind developed in the 60s. The harmonic analysis of this new type of rock included the use of improvisation and the use of the Wa Wa pedal.

Guitarists additonally experimented with improvisation, within the genre of psychdelic rock. Musicians such as The Beatles used new effects, such as phasing, artifiical double tracking, tape looping and reverse recording.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq1HPGpSdOg

Jamerson's style of playing would be that he used one finger to pluck the strings while resting his other fingers on the chrome pickup cover. It was nicknamed 'The Hook'.

Influences

Paul McCartney was the bass guitarist for The Beatles and one of his main influences was James Jamerson, a dedicated disciple of Jamerson’s rhythmic licks. McCartney in an interview with music radar: “James Jamerson just because he was so good and melodic, and Brian because he went to very unusual places. If you were playing in C he might stay on the G a lot, just to hold it all back, and again, I started to realize the power you had within the band, not actually vengeful power, just that even though the whole band is going in A you could go in E, and they’d go ‘Let us off the hook!’ You’re actually in control then, an amazing thing.”

Bass

Within the 1960s, the rise of Motown was being developed amongst black musicians. The classic 'Motown sound' was characterized by syncopated bass lines. James Jamerson was a famous Motown bassist who helped to popularise the Fender Precision. He played with artists such as The Supremes, The Beach Boys, and Marvin Gaye. 1962 to 1968, it was reported that Jamerson had played on 95% of Motown music. Jamerson's basslines relied heavily on chromatic runs, syncopation, ghost notes and inversions, with frequent use of open strings. His nimble bass playing was considered an integral part of the "Motown Sound". He created melodic lines that were nonetheless locked to the drum groove.

Throughout his career, Jamerson also performed on a staggering 56 number one hits on the R&B charts, making him a true soul icon. Jamerson is clearly outlining a B7 chord (the V in the key of E). This is a cool, more advanced harmonic trick where in some places one can build tension playing a V chord while the band plays another. Think of it as a huge fifth approach. This frequently happens on ii and IV chords.

https://www.studybass.com/lessons/harmony/heat-map-james-jamerson/#:~:text=Jamerson%20is%20clearly%20outlining%20a,on%20ii%20and%20IV%20chords.

Lyrical Analysis

The revolution of the 1960s was undergoing changes in the representation of women in the household. Women were expected to be happy housewives to their husbands and raise children appropriately. Women began to want a voice and turned to politics and freedom; protesting about the change in womanhood.

What did musicians sing about?

In the 1960s, the civil rights movement was still undergoing the fight for human rights. Social and political changes were adapted within the decade, as the breakout of the Vietnam War led to people protesting for peace. People reflected their frustrations into music and became 'Protest Music', artists such as Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel. The music gave young people a voice to raise concerns about society, especially amongst the Hippy community, the genre of folk rock

Janis Joplin protested against gender stereotypes and refused to live up to them. She was taught at a young age that racial and gender discrimination were wrong and that society needed to improve

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/janis-joplin-jim-morrison-doors-hit-with-bottle-fight/

Bob Dylan

In the 1960s, Bob Dylan was an influential spokesman in his music. His genre is folk, to which he sang and wrote songs about the atrocities that these activists faced he was able to bring it into the public light. At the same time, Dylan also wrote songs about being brave and strong during these difficult times. These types of songs helped create a form of community between the activist groups.

One of Bob Dylan's big hits in the '60s was 'Masters Of War', the song was released in 1963. Within the song, he wanted to convey that the people in power in the government hide away from any confrontation and do not care for the feelings of those who are forced to fight. His lyrics use repetitive direct addresses by targeting those that have caused pain in the world, by saying "You that build the big guns". Associating those who have condemned war have murdered thousands and left others in pain. Dylan proceeds to say "You that hide behind walls" calling out their cowardness and not accepting their mistakes easily.

https://musicpolitics.as.ua.edu/timeline-articles/masters-of-war-by-bob-dylan/

Bob Dylan went on to infleunce other protest musicians, such as the Beatles who sang about wanting peace as well as changing their style from pop artists to psychedelic rock artists.

In the lyrics, Franklin clearly spells out the words respect as ' R-E-S-P-E-C-T' which Otris Redding did not do, as she wanted the song from a female point of view, as women demanding for respect. Franklin wanted to give women a voice, as she believed that women were treated unfairly during the time that she sang.

Aretha Franklin

Franklin is one of the most infleuntail blakc usiains of the 20th Century. Through her music she faught for racial equality as well as woman empowerment in the music industry whgich was heavily run by men. One of Franklins top hits was a song called Resepct, which she released in 1967. The song was originally written and recorded by Otis Redding in 1965 of his album ' Otis Redding Sings Soul, Franklin rearranged the song to make it about female empowerment.

In her 1999 autobiography “Aretha: From the Roots,” Franklin called the song “an ongoing blessing” in her life. “It was the need of a nation,” she said, “the need of the average man and woman in the street, the businessman, the mother, the fireman, the teacher—everyone wanted respect.

https://americansongwriter.com/the-meaning-behind-aretha-franklins-respect/

It is called a 'women's anthem' speaking out against racial discrimination and limiting the expectations of women. Franklin went on to influence major artists to sing about female empowerment such as Whitney Housten, Jennifer Hudson, and Natalie Cole.

Back up singers = gospel/prayer

Instruments

The Stratocaster

The Stratocaster had a distinctive voice thanks in part to its three pickups, the wire-coiled magnets that transmit string vibrations to the amplifier. Most electric guitars at that time had one or two. Fender also designed a new vibrato — the metal arm at the end of the strings that allows the player to vary their pitch.

The Stratocaster Electric Guitar

Within the '60s, popular instruments from the 1950s were being experimented in an entirely different way. The electric guitar and Bass, the drums, piano, electric piano. Often within soul music, the use of saxophone and trumpet would be used, taking inspiration from jazz artists in the early decades.

Jimi Hendrix is a worldwide musician known for his loud guitar solos and is arguably the creator of the modern electric guitar sound. Hendrix's most used guitar was the 'Fender Stratocaster'. Other musicians used the Stratocaster as well such as George Harrison and Eric Clapton, it was a popular style of guitar because of the smooth sound that it created.

https://www.npr.org/2015/01/03/374573426/weapon-of-choice-why-the-stratocaster-survives#:~:text=The%20Stratocaster%20had%20a%20distinctive,player%20to%20vary%20their%20pitch.

Richard "Pistol" Allen

Motown drummer Richard “Pistol” Allen explained to Modern Drummer magazine in 1999, that he would stuff newspaper or blankets into his bass drum to dampen it. “To get the right sound out of the snare drum,” Allen said, “we put electrical tape on the snares on the bottom head.

https://blog.zzounds.com/2023/02/01/how-motown-made-it-work-drum-recording/

The Drums

Additionally, within the '60s new music was emerging and the rise of Motown was developing. The classic Motown sound was a combination of soul and pop, artists such as The Temptations, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye were all considered Motown.

The early Motown drum approach was one mic on the kick and another mic overhead. Later when they owned more microphones, they added a snare drum mic into the mix. The most iconic groove in Motown music features snare drum backbeats on every quarter note. Even though you can hear this snare drum pattern used in other drumming styles like rock and metal, it’s a defining characteristic of Motown drumming.

Benny Benjamin’s timekeeping abilities and control of dynamics made him an ideal fit for the emerging Motown sound. He would frequently use brushes on recordings, a technique originating from jazz drumming.

Motown session drummer James Gadson explains in the video how classic drum beats are made for the Motown sound.

Reflection

Our 1960s Cover

'Twist and Shout' By The Beatles

The famous 1964 song by The Beatles was a hit, they covered this song that was originally recorded by 'The Top Notes' in 1961. The Beatles rendition of "Twist and Shout" was released on their first UK album Please Please Me, inspired by the Isley Brothers' version.

In my reflection on our 1960s performance, I felt pretty confident with the song and bass part. As I closely listened to what Paul McCartney was playing I was able to simplify the chords in order to learn it quicker with the time we had. I enjoyed overall playing the quick-paced song, but it was tricky during the live performance to start the song altogether. We didn't get the timing correctly at the beginning, which i something we need to work on as a group, as well as knowing when to finish the song. But the song is a classic 1960s song with a swing feel from the guitar and drums which we delivered well.

Our 1960s Creative Cover

'All The Good Girls Go To Hell' By Billie Ellish

This song was really interesting to turn into a 1960s- style song. Billie Eillish is a known pop artist, who has dark lyrics that use deep thoughts about mental health that young individuals may battle with. My group turned this song into a psychedelic rock song, with loud drums and guitar moments. Psychedelic rock was famous in the '60s with the influence of Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, and The Fifth Floor Elevators. The era was a time that reflected drug-induced states through the use of feedback, electronics, and intense volume.

To create intensity, we built up the song for dramatic effect. Starting with the delicate piano sound with toms and cymbals of the drums playing quietly for the intro, we soon built it up at the start of the verse with me playing bass and the guitar being played in different parts of the song. We wanted to create layers to this impactful song, where the chorus is large and dramatic.

Influential 1960s Musicians

Voice

Brown invented the classic' Funk Beat', the sound was very rhythmic, driven by rhythmic interactions not necessarily chords. The vocals were taken from African-American gospel preachers. Brown embodied the Preacher, as reached towards his audience with a vocal term called 'hooping' where the preachers would grunt. His voice while singing was almost like he was growling and grunting, all taking inspiration from the black church.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AihgZv1D5-4

James Brown

James Brown was an in influential artist for funk, soul, and blues rhythm in the 1960s. He helped to move the funk genre forward, Brown acted as a cultural leader, writing hit songs calling for Black pride. As a progenitor of funk music, Brown with his band created a stripped-down, rhythmically driven aesthetic that has influenced world music from reggae to Afrobeat. https://www.si.edu/spotlight/james-brown#:~:text=As%20%22Soul%20Brother%20No.,music%20from%20reggae%20to%20Afrobeat.

James used his music to break the boundaries of racial segregation that enveloped the United States in the 1950s. Both blacks and whites became engrossed in the new musical phenomenon. https://www.nps.gov/features/malu/feat0002/wof/james_brown.htm#:~:text=They%20brought%20rhythm%20and%20blues,in%20the%20new%20musical%20phenomenon.

James Brown influenced many other artists with his unique dance moves onstage, that made him mesmerizing to watch. Artists such as Michael Jackson, and Mick Jagger who all were influenced by Brown's moves. Te comparison between

Nina Simone

Nina Simone was a unique character of the 1960s, she was a singer of American jazz poetry. As well as her music she was a civil rights activist. Simone was promoted as a jazz vocalist, but she often rejected the label, viewing it as a reflection of her race more than her musical style and training. She self-identified as a folk singer, with a style that also incorporated blues, gospel, and pop, among others. She was able to cross genres as both a singer and pianist, and her classical background remained an important part of her musical identity.

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/nina-simone

Her 1964 song 'Mississippi Goddam' became a protest song. encapsulates the profound turmoil of 1963: the murder of Medgar Evers in Mississippi, the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Alabama, and the attacks by vicious dogs against the non-violent freedom fighters—throughout the South.

Simone’s work as an artist and an activist has been celebrated by other artists such as Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Kanye West, John Legend, Common, and Alicia Keys. Keys once wrote that “she made me want to live life, learn and experience it earnestly and use my voice to say SOMETHING!”

Nina's expression as an artists made her want to connect with her audience and raise concerns of racial discrimination of the 1960s.

https://www.rockhall.com/nina-simone#:~:text=Simone's%20work%20as%20an%20artist,Simone%20was%20prolific.

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