THE 1960s

The 1960s were years of great changes in society, fashion, attitudes and especially music. The assassination of M. L. King and President Kennedy in the USA, the escalation of the war in Vietnam, the forward-progress of the Civil Rights Movement and the sexual liberation movement influenced American culture. Music began to reflect that change.

In the early '60s rock music become a type of music to be heard. A phenomenon known as “the British invasion” emerged: two groups from the UK, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones started to dominate the musical scenes in Europe, in the USA and all over the world. The Beatles may be described as the most influential group of the '60s.

Rock 'n' Roll and the music genres which developed and evolved during the 1950s continued to inspire and influence the 1960s music. Rock music dominated the popular music scene and became a mass phenomenon. The genre developed and changed and many diverse and new sub-genres emerged. In many cases rock bands and singers released protest songs. Lots of rock music festivals and concerts were held, such as Woodstock Rock Festival in the summer of 1969.

The various sub-genres had different levels of popularity throughout the decade and many are still popular today. Lots of artists of that period fall into more than one category and others are so unique and eclectic that cannot fall into any category.

Some of the rock sub-genres that emerged in the second half of the '60s are surf rock, psychedelic rock, hard rock and folk rock. The greatest groups and artists who emerged during this decade were: the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Simon & Garfunkel, The Doors, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Pink Floyd, Johnny Cash.