Beyond the Beatles:
The mid-60s also saw another great band come into existence – Pink Floyd. The description ‘space rock band’ probably suits them to a T. With “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”, they made their way into this brave new psychedelic world that the 60s musicians were stepping into. Towards the end of the decade, “A Saucerful of Secrets” made it to the top ten on the British charts.
One group that probably was way ahead of its time was Velvet Underground and though they were considered rather alien during this period, the world is now waking up to the greatness of the music they produced. Their music had overtones of urban New York and was a mix of jazz, R&B and some avant garde genres. “The Velvet Underground and Nico” is considered to be their very best album.
Back to the other side of the Atlantic and we have the emergence of the Rolling Stones who have lasted to this day, not showing any signs of retiring. For forty long years, they have been a functioning band playing rock and roll.
Also worthy of mention are Sly and the Family Stone where there is such a wonderful coming together of black and white music. With “Dance to the Music”, they rocked not just the nation but the world. Every possible genre that was popular in the sixties was here – from rock to tradition R&B to doo-wop to fuzz bass.
The Unsung Ones:
The sixties had so many great bands that made their entry into music at this time – too many to enumerate but they all added to the wonderful period that changed the lives of so many. The bands of the sixties were, together with the solo artists, instrumental in bringing about a powerful change socially, culturally, mentally and emotionally. It really was the decade of profound power and the fact that music could act as a catalyst was incredible. Not just in America and the UK but making its mark internationally. The power of music reached out and spilled over to shores beyond, bringing the world closer than ever. |
