'60s Music -- An Introduction

'60s music is most easily described as revolutionary, with many of the established forms of the decade making a lasting impact on the way we listen to and create music. The popular genres of the era included traditional rock, folk rock, soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock.

If there were one word to define '60s music, it would be Woodstock. The festival of and music is synonymous with the era, featuring many of the decade's most important and influential acts, and is still a major cultural reference decades later.

Some of the top-selling albums of the era include The Beatles' 'Revolver,' Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds,' Bob Dylan's 'Highway 61 Revisited,' and the Jimi Hendrix Experience's 'Are You Experienced.' The most well-known artists included the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, the Temptations, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, the Beach Boys, the Doors, and Simon and Garfunkel.

Popular Styles in '60s Music

Rock
Folk Rock
Soul
R&B
Doo-Wop
Psychadelic Rock
Surf Rock
British Invasion
Reggae


Top Albums in '60s Music

The Beatles, 'Revolver' (1966)
The Beach Boys, 'Pet Sounds' (1966)
Bob Dylan, 'Highway 61 Revisited' (1965)
The Rolling Stones, 'Beggars Banquet' (1968)
The Jimi Hendrix Experience, 'Are You Experienced' (1967)
James Brown, 'Live at the Apollo' (1963)
The Doors, 'The Doors' (1967)
Otis Redding, 'Otis Blue' (1966)
Cream, 'Disraeli Gears' (1967)
Aretha Franklin, 'Lady Soul' (1968)
Crosby, Stills, and Nash, 'Crosby, Stills, and Nash' (1969)
The Who, 'The Who Sell Out' (1967)
The Byrds, 'Mr. Tambourine Man' (1965)
The Temptations, 'The Temptations with a Lot o' Soul' (1967)
The Supremes, 'The Supremes A' Go-Go' (1966)
Big Brother and the Holding Company, 'Big Brother and the Holding Company' (1965)
Buffalo Springfield, 'Buffalo Springfield Again' (1967)

Top Artists in '60s Music

Simon and Garfunkel
Sly and the Family Stone
Jefferson Airplane
Marvin Gaye
Grateful Dead
Pete Seeger
The Mamas and the Papas
The Kinks
The Band
Gladys Knight and the Pips

Online Radio Stations for '60s Music

'60s Oldies Radio

Woodstock Videos

Jimi Hendrix, 'Star Spangled Banner'



Joan Baez, 'We Shall Overcome'



The Who, 'My Generation'



Santana, 'Soul Sacrifice'



Richie Havens, 'Freedom'