In Issue 61.2, I discussed the various forms of rock that took over the 1970s. But even more of a rock era than the ’70s was the 1960s. Here we find the transition from the origins of rock and roll to the merging of genres that we have seen throughout the past half century. The ’60s brought forth some of today’s most recognizable band names, songs, and musical styles, cementing its place in musical history.
In the United States, the ’60s saw a rise and revival of rhythm and blues, country, and folk music. However, despite their popularity, they largely served as stepping stones for the emergence of various rock genres. From folk rock and blues rock to psychedelic and garage, rock and roll became more than one single genre: it became an entire world of music. Folk rock, led by artists like Bob Dylan, especially gained popularity as folk music regained audiences during the decade.
The Beatles, one of the most famous rock bands ever, were part of a larger cultural movement that expanded the geographical boundaries of music: the British Invasion. Famous rock bands like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, and more originated around the United Kingdom, from London in the southeast to Liverpool in the northwest. In the mid-to-late 1960s, these bands expanded, bringing their music to international audiences and skyrocketing in popularity.
Especially in the United States, the music of the ’60s was heavily influenced by major cultural and historical events, like the hippie movement and the Vietnam War. Yoko Ono’s “Give Peace a Chance” (1969) reflects the anti-war, pro-love sentiment of the ’60s. Additionally, though it wouldn’t be released until the early 1990s, American folk rock artist Don McLean wrote his song “1967” about losing his friend and fellow soldier in the Vietnam War.
One of my favorite songs of the ’60s is the Beatles’ 1967 track “The Fool on the Hill.” The song is both written and performed by Paul McCartney, highlighting the story of someone who is avoided and viewed as a fool by others but, in actuality, is wise: “He never listens to them / He knows that they’re the fools.” I heard this song for the first time in the opening scene of the 2010 comedy film “Dinner for Schmucks,” in which Tim (Paul Rudd) invites Barry (Steve Carell) to a work dinner with the intent of showing off his foolishness to his coworkers. The song’s chords feel slightly off-kilter, alternating between major and minor chords, but paired with McCartney’s beautiful vocals, the song quickly became one of my favorite Beatles songs.
Though not rock, another great ’60s song is Simon & Garfunkel’s 1964 “The Sound of Silence.” Heavy metal band Disturbed covered this song in 2015, and while the cover has become widely popular—perhaps even overshadowing the original for many listeners—I still prefer Simon & Garfunkel’s simple, folky voices. The melody is slightly haunting with the notes lingering a few seconds beyond their lyrics. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s voices complement one another perfectly. The duo had many periods of activity and inactivity from the late 1950s to 2010, but the 1960s were their longest period of activity and brought their most popular song to wide audiences.
The 1960s was a decade where folk, pop, country, blues, and a multitude of other genres came together to evolve rock and roll into the diverse genre we know today. Although many people likely won’t name the ’60s as a decade of music that particularly influences their music taste, it is undeniable that both the artists and the musical evolution of the decade have had an immense impact on music as we know it today.
