It was quite a time. When the decade began, Elvis Presley still held the reigns as the “king of rock and roll,” but from the 1950s to 1964, many leaders were vying for the throne. When this form of music became successful and had great financial power, the companies that had previously released records began to search for new singers who would feed the teen idols.
Real vocal ability was not necessarily required as a teen idol (Fabian Forte, for example). They were young, male (there were a few female exceptions), Caucasian and handsome. This group made rock and roll acceptable and safe to many white families, who were initially afraid of it and horrified their children to enjoy that music. But the teen idols also brought some cutesy commercials to the show, with some gems in the mix.
Help was on the way.
The “Girl Group Sound” has often been overlooked until today. He deserves his full recognition and respect. Some of the most memorable raphi songs and talent have emerged from this phenomenon. , Darlene Love, Phil Spector, &c).
Detroit entrepreneur, songwriter, and boxer, Berry Gordy, would make major music history with the start of Motown Records in 1959. He dazzled a round of future stars under one roof: the Marvelettes, Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Martha and the Vandellas, Barrett Strong, “Little ” Stevie Wonder, The Contours, The Tops, Four Tops, Temptations, among many others. Singers, producers, and finally musicians, also want to make a legendary situation: Holland-Dozier-Holland, Smokey Robinson, Norman Whitfield, Thomas “Beans” Bowles, Benny Benjamin, James Jamerson, Janie Bradford, Nick Ashfordand Valerie Simpson, etc.
Other songwriting/production teams flourished and flourished: Bachrarach and David, King and Goffin, Sedaka and Greenfield, Greenwich and Barry, Weill and Mann, Curtis Mayfield, Gamble and Huff, Luther Dixon, among others.
The advent of Beatlemania and the British Invasion brought a new sound (albeit in the beginning) a sound, brought a cultural revolution, and forever changes and rolls the rock, while it returns some obsolete forms.
But not Motown.
Not only did this company hold its own, it prospered and introduced its own culture, paving the way for other regional accents such as The New York, San Francisco, Memphis, Philadelphia and Chicago sounds. Even the second voice of Detroit!
Surf and beach music became popular and folk rock began to emerge. The late 60s were the perfect marriage of these events. Civil rights, the Vietnam War and many social changes were at the forefront.
Rock and roll is one of those changes. A strictly “dreamy young teen, Johnny would take me to the prom or marry me, he’s a bad boy, but I love him, Cindy Lou loves me, I can’t live with Cindy Lou, Hey everyone, dance” Feelings, rock and roll grew and evolved into would stir the power that changed war (“Universal Soldier”) or injustice (“Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Eve’s Destruction”) or changed American culture (“Wolves of Love”; “Does Your Mama Know About Me?”, “Boy’s Company” (which has been banned by many radio stations! .
Psychedelic (or “medicine rock”) music also became popular; rock festival became a “thing”.
In all this a place at the table and the market was still popular at Bubblegum Sound. Simon Says”) and just plain old “hey, everybody, dance” music (“Boogaloo Down Broadway”).
AM Top 40 radio dominated the airwaves, and several regional DJs and stations achieved national fame: “Cousin” Brucie Morrow, Dick Biondi, WABC in New York, CKLW in Windsor/Detroit, and KDKA in Pittsburgh, for example, “must be heard “programs.”
Radio FM was also born in this decade with a progressive, free, and organized album format. Music was just the main focus of this DJ. But let’s not forget that rock and roll was the only music that charted in the 1960s. It became a variety of easier-listening or “middle-of-the-road” music that prevailed. Some considered it “square” or grown-up, old-fashioned music. However, it was a DEATH hit! And this market also buys movie soundtracks albums in record-position numbers, such as “The Sound of Music,” “Exodus,” Camelot” and “Western Tale” (and instrumentals—Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass and their sound-alikes, The Baja Marimba Band, for gr.
The 1960s may well be the most memorable and influential decade of the 20th century (probably the most turbulent), for the events AND the music that reverberates throughout our culture today.
Classic Motown and Beatle Music are revered and always played. The words of Martin Luther King Jr. they were often cited by many politicians. His image was used in a recent commercial. The Beach Boys play to sellout crowds. “The American Dream” criticism and evaluations (for some time) were achieved. Dick Clark is still America’s oldest teenager! The backs are mini-wings (in a different style, but still mini-arms), as are culottes (now skorts, same thing!). Malcolm X, who was considered an inflammatory radical, now has his words and image on hats and t-shirts and is regarded as a visionary ahead of his time. The Rat Pack is cool back. (In some circles, they never stopped cooling).
The sheer diversity of music and talent of an age can be unmatched before or after.
I’m going back to where it all started; welcome back to 1960s music.
