The 1960s were a decade of tremendous change. The space race had begun with the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957 and culminated on July 16, 1969 with the moon landing by the United States. On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the desegregation of schools with the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education. The Civil Rights movement would continue to gain traction, including key moments such as Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963, the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act in 1965. The US would enter the Vietnam War, eventually sparking country-wide protests and demonstrations. John F. Kennedy would be elected in 1960 and assasinated in 1963. Lastly, the first FDA approved birth control pill would hit the market in 1960. The 1960s were witness to a revolutionary amount of social and political transformation. Change was also easy to observe in the music industry.
At the beginning of the 1960s, pop and rock 'n roll trends from the 1950s continued before developing into a more electric style. By the end of the decade, a folk-influenced style of rock music dominated the scene, featuring singer-songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Joni Mitchell. Pop music dominated much of the decade, driven by the explosion of youth culture in the US and Europe. Baby Boomers were coming of age and driving the market of fashion and music. The British Invasion of bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones helped curate the pop sound of the 1960s. By the end of the '60s, this pop sound would become more psychadelic and better reflect the social unrest of the decade. One of the most memorable sounds of the 1960s were the artists of Motown Records. Motown drew inspiration from blues and soul, creating a pop/rythym & blues sound that produced numerous numer one records. Notable Motown acts included the Supremes, the Miracles, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye and the Jackson Five, who debuted in 1969. Lastly, one of the most popular forms of rock 'n roll during the 1960s was surf rock. Surf rock was characterized by being almost entirely instrumental and heavy use of reverb on the guitar. While the Beach Boys are the best remembered surf rock band, other popular artists included The Ventures and The Surfaris. Take time to delve into each exhibit section included here, and reflect on how each genre influenced popular fashion.
1960s: A Revolution of Sound and Society
FAQs
Top Ten Songs of the 1960s
- The Beatles, “Hey Jude,” 1968.
- The Rolling Stones, “(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction,” 1965.
- The Beatles, “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” 1964.
- Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” 1967.
- Roy Orbison, “Oh, Pretty Woman,” 1964.
- Elvis Presley, “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” 1960.
At the beginning of the 1960s, pop and rock 'n roll trends from the 1950s continued before developing into a more electric style. By the end of the decade, a folk-influenced style of rock music dominated the scene, featuring singer-songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Joni Mitchell.
How did the music of the 1960's have an effect on the social and political movements of the era? ›
The rhetorical engines of persuasive music powered the social movement of the 1960s—protest music, Beatlemania, the British Invasion, and flower-power-fueled the fires of conflictional discourse and created an explosive backdraft of social reformation.
What did they use to listen to music in the 60s? ›
Mostly by radio which left us to the whim of some loud mouth DJ. Albums and 45s were available to play on your turntable. If you were rich, you may have owned a reel-to-reel. Also, 8 tracks could be installed in your car.
What is the most played song in all of history? ›
There's even a dispute over the exact title. Yet “It's a Small World,” also known as “It's a Small, Small World” and “It's a Small World (After All),” is very likely the most played song in music history — nearly 50 million times.
What was the #1 song in 1960? ›
"Theme from A Summer Place" by Percy Faith was the number one song of 1960.
How did music influence fashion in the 1960s? ›
People started to identify and distance themselves with clothes, music, beliefs, and attitude. The '60s was the period when all music genres flourished. Londoners began listening to a more modernized version of jazz and wearing turtlenecks, knee-high skirts, fitted bodices, trouser suits, sleeveless gowns, etc.
What was the most popular band in the 60s? ›
The Beatles (Ringo, George, John and Paul, from left) led the British Invasion in the '60s to become the most influential rock group of the '60s.
What was the 60s music craze? ›
What kind of music was popular in the 1960s? During the 1960s, several musical genres gained mainstream popularity. Among them were rock and roll, folk rock, rhythm and blues, and antiwar music.
What was fashion like in the 1960s? ›
Ponchos, moccasins, love beads, peace signs, medallion necklaces, chain belts, polka dot-printed fabrics, and long, puffed "bubble" sleeves were popular fashions in the late 1960s. Both men and women wore frayed bell-bottomed jeans, tie-dyed shirts, work shirts, Jesus sandals, and headbands.
In the mid-1960s, rock and roll in its purest form was gradually overtaken by pop rock, beat, psychedelic rock, blues rock, and folk rock, which had grown in popularity.
What major music events happened in the 1960s? ›
Top 10 Legendary 60s Gigs
- James Brown – Apollo Theatre, Harlem, New York, 1962. ...
- Jerry Lee Lewis – Star Club, Hamburg, 1964. ...
- Bob Dylan – Newport Folk Festival, July 1965. ...
- Jimi Hendrix Experience – Monterey Festival, California, June 1967. ...
- Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison, California, January 1968.
Rock and Roll became an important form of popular music, entering mainstream youth culture by white translators of black music such as Elvis Presley. Youth readily identified with the themes of Rock and Roll, such as rebelling against parents, having fun, and earlier themes of love and romance.
How did music influence fashion in the 1970s? ›
The influence of disco music and the new wave of rock and pop encouraged more fashion-forward observers to don jumpsuits on nights, not complete without sky-high platform heels to match. There was an androgyny to the stage outfits of artists such as David Bowie that birthed a new way to dress for the masses.
What was the highest selling single of the 1960s? ›
The Official Top 10 biggest singles of the 1960s
| POS | TITLE | ARTIST |
|---|
| 1 | SHE LOVES YOU | THE BEATLES |
| 2 | I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND | THE BEATLES |
| 3 | CAN'T BUY ME LOVE | THE BEATLES |
| 4 | TEARS | KEN DODD |
6 more rowsNov 8, 2022
What kind of music was popular in the 1960s? During the 1960s, several musical genres gained mainstream popularity. Among them were rock and roll, folk rock, rhythm and blues, and antiwar music.
What was the number one song in 1965? ›
What was a major music event in the 1960's? ›
Woodstock was the most famous of the 1960s rock festivals. Its full name was The Woodstock Music and Art Fair. It took place on a farm property in Bethel, New York, August 15–18, 1969.
