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The 1960's are remembered nostalgically in Britain as the 'rock and roll' years. This was the decade that British pop music erupted with energy, and through creating big stars of this phenomena, like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, British pop music exploded onto the world scene.
This was the flower power generation, when folk were encouraged to dance, smoke pot, wear wild clothing, and dig the music. This was the seminal time of social rebellion in the UK, led by the young, and music was leading the way in this social and cultural revolution.
“All you need is love” : The Beatles
Nearly 60 years since they formed and became the most influential British music band ever, The Beatles remain a much-loved institution. As do the band's four members, icons whose distinctive voices and musical styles are etched into our consciousness, despite the deaths of John Lennon and George Harrison.
Formed in the early 60's after John Lennon and Paul McCartney met at art school, and matured by gigging in Germany and then through the management skill of Brian Epstein, the Beatles produced 12 original albums (and many other compilation albums, which continue to be released by various record companies to this day), ranging from the breakthrough 'A Hard Day's Night' in 1964, to the trippy, drug inspired 'Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band' in 1967, and the soul-searching final record, 'Let it be' in 1970.
“Can't get no Satisfaction” : The Rolling Stones
Friends and friendly rivals to the Beatles, The Rolling Stones remain together as a band, and play together on huge world tours regularly. An iconic individual, front man singer Mick Jagger, famous for his sexy drawl and feminine pout, remains energised by his music and the group's sound. They have released 55 albums of original work, selling 200 million records worldwide. Jagger and his songwriting partner and guitarist, Keith Richards, developed a trademark look of surliness and unkempt style, which contrasted in the early part of the 60's with the Beatles early manicured look.
In discussion about the counter-culture revolution of the 60's, music fans still like to measure their place in that time by having a preference for either the Beatles or the Stones. For many, their path through that time of massive social change was marked by an affinity, in the UK at least, with one or other of these 2 bands.
Other Musical Pioneers of this Generation
Though the Beatles and the Stones were the leaders in the musical field in the 60's, there were many other innovators, imitators, breakthrough bands and small-time stars as well. The Byrd's, The Small Faces and The Kinks are just a few of the more successful names. Individuals like Dusty Springfield, Cilla Black, Adam Faith, and the ever-young Cliff Richard all emerged as stars during this ten year period.
Music and Culture : the 60's Influence
Music influenced life in Britain in the 60's much more than it ever has before or since. The intertwining of music and politics – the Beatles were the 1st music band to be given OBE's by the then Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson, and John Lennon famously sent his back in protest; along with art and visual culture, including the birth and growth of television, saw a tremendous shift in British social and personal life that has enormously influenced the character of Britain today.
British Music: Leading the Musical Revolution
British music has evolved across many styles over the past century. From rock and roll through punk rock and heavy metal; to folk, folk rock, progressive rock, Britpop to rap and drum and bass....so many styles have evolved from Britain, involving and led by British musicians. And this is only one genre of music! In the classical music world, musicians and composers have continually worked with different styles and instrumentation – looking backwards as well as forwards to interpret and re-interpret the classical sound. New performance venues have sprung up over the last 20 years, partly helped by lottery funding, along with new opportunities for musicians and funding for scholarships, which have led to a culture of creativity and exciting innovation.
Folk Music
While it is not everyone's 'cup of tea', folk music in Britain (drawing on strong roots from all of it's regions – Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northumberland, and Wales, in particular), there has seen big shifts in the folk music scene. Largely led by the Waterson and Carthy families, especially Martin Carthy, folk music has proved itself prime for crossover and fusion. From early innovators like Jethro Tull, John Martyn, and Richard Thompson, a 'folk-style' sound underpins a lot of current British guitar bands. Listen closely for folkie riffs! Check out the current British folk scene at a folk club near you, to hear the rising stars of this fine, original and often earthy tradition.
Rock and Roll
The major movement in rock and roll in Britain was due to the impact of The Beatles on popular music at the time (the 1960's) and their impact upon popular culture too. As well as the fab four, this new wave of rock and roll in the sixties spawned many other acts of a similar genre:
- The Rolling Stones
- The Yardbirds
- Alan Price
- The Kinks
Rock and roll in Britain at that time meant liberation from pre-war austerity; teenagers could dance, drink and smoke, and enjoy the new sounds and freethinking lyrics of these bands and singers. R and R coincided with the advent of the pill, so sexual liberation was a big part of this intoxicating package.
Brit Pop
Britpop started in the early 1980's, with the rise of several bands such as Oasis, Blur and Suede amongst several others, who heralded a new movement of British pop bands, creating a new 'pop' sound with fast guitars and lots of attitude. They all had effective marketing machines and record labels behind them and the music press and fans quickly got behind the phenomenon. Bands toured widely, especially in the US, which lapped up anything seen as British, following on from beatlemania. Rivalries between the bands, and sometimes within the bands (namely the Gallagher brothers of Oasis) fuelled the gossip and kept the phenomenon alive.
New Movements and Trends in Music
There are always new trends happening in music: often it just takes one band or solo singer to emerge with a unique style, or using a particular instrument in one particular way (for instance, Jimi Hendrix's unique picking of his guitar strings: with his teeth, behind his back, etc........or The Who's habit of destroying their instruments onstage at many gigs and a new movement is created. How long it lasts depends both on originality and luck. Who sees the birth of a new trend is important too: in this age of spin and hype, mastered by influential journalists, there is a certain amount of myth creation that happens and is spread by the media and through word of mouth.
However it happens, Britain is at the forefront of creating new contemporary shifts and waves in music, across all genres, so keep your eye on the current British scene, and spot the stars and wave makers of tomorrow!
www.choosebritish.co.uk/BritishMusic1960s
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