During this decade, the Vietnam War was taking place, along with the civil rights movement, antiwar protests, and political assassinations. The 1960s is often called the cultural decade. During this time, several music genres took center stage; during the 1960s, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and antiwar music became very popular. On this list are the top music artists of the ’60s.
The artists below changed the way society saw several genres of music, including rock n’ roll and soul music. Many of these groups and individuals are still prominent in music and have left a lasting legacy on the world.
To compile a list of the top music artists from the 60s, 24/7 Tempo consulted numerous sources. These include IMDb and biography.com. Here are the top music artists from the ’60s.
1. The Beatles
The Beatles was a rock and roll band out of England. The original group was formed in 1960 with the band mates John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. In 1962, the band had their first hit song, “Love Me Do,” and they were an instant success.
Their popularity dubbed a new nickname, Beatlemania, which caused a frenzy throughout the ’60s. However, in 1970, the band broke up, and many members went on to make solo albums. In 1980, John Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman. The Beatles remain one of the most iconic bands of the 60s and had a lasting effect on society.
2. James Brown
James Brown has earned the nickname “The Godfather of Soul,” he was the face of funk and soul music during this period. Brown was born in the South and experienced poverty in his childhood.
In the very beginning, James Brown was drawn to music, namely gospel music. However, he did get into trouble with stealing a car at 16 and went to prison. James Brown met Bobby Byrd in prison, and in 1959, their musical group Famous Flames was given a record contract.
James Brown is known for his social activism as much as his soul music. Through his music, he recorded songs such as “Don’t Be a Drop Out” and “Say It Loud: I’m Black and I’m Proud.” James Brown passed away at the age of 73 in 2006.
3. The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys Were a Rock band known for their songs “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” and more. The band had a specific tone dubbed “the California sound.” The original bandmates included Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Michael Love, and Alan Jardine.
1961, the band signed with Capitol Records after their single “Surfin’.” Throughout the early 1960s, The Beach Boys also saw success with hits like “Fun, Fun, Fun” and” I Get Around.” During the following decades, the band continued to have success amid struggles with drugs, personal turmoil, and more. In 2012, the still-alive members came together for a celebratory tour for their 50th anniversary. Check out these greatest hits by the Beach Boys if you are a huge fan!
4. The Supremes
The Supremes was an American pop-soul girl group. Their members were Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Cindy Birdsong, and Mary Wilson. The Supremes had a lasting effect on society at a time when many people were facing upheaval. In 1960, the group signed with Motown Records.
Their first number-one single was “Where Did Our Love Go.” In 1970, Ballard, who replaced Birdsong, left. Afterward, the group was renamed Diana Ross and the Supremes and was used as a jumping point for Ross’s Solo career.
5. The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones was a British Rock group known for their hits “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” and “Get off My Cloud.” The original group consisted of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, and Bill Wyman. Eventually, the group was joined by Charlie Watts, Mick Taylor, Ron Wood, and Darryl Jones.
Still today, The Rolling Stones can bring in quite a crowd. In the 1980s, the band dissolved; however, they came back together in 1989 for their tour after their Steel Wheels album came out. The Rolling Stones’s distinctive appearance, stage presence, and music have made them one of the most iconic rock n’ roll groups ever.
6. Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan started out singing folk music. However, in the 60s, he also started singing rock and earned the name “Shakespeare of his generation.” This nickname was mainly due to Dylan’s ability to craft lyrics in a way that was pure poetry.
During the 1960s, there were progressive movements, and Dylan’s music often had protest undertones that encouraged people to think. This can be seen in his songs such as Blowin’ in the Wind and “The Times They Are a-Changin.”
Dylan won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature. He is currently 82 years old.
7. Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin is known as the “Queen of Soul” and has won multiple Grammy awards. Her career began with her father, where she would travel in his revival show. Additionally, Aretha, often considered a child prodigy, taught herself how to sing.
Aretha Franklin signed with Columbia Records in 1960. Her first album was entitled Aretha. Several of her hits include “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You,” “Respect,” and “Think.” Aretha retired in 2017; 2018 she passed away in her home.
8. Elvis Presley
circa 1957: American singer and actor Elvis Presley (1935-1977) performing outdoors on a small stage to the adulation of a young crowd. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Elvis Presley is known as “the King,” and finding someone who has never heard his name would be difficult. Even decades later, the world is fascinated with the life of Elvis Presley, his success, and who he was as a person.
Elvis was born in 1935, and his twin brother, Jessie, was stillborn. When he was 11 years old, Presley was gifted his first guitar and won a talent show at his High School.
One of his distinctive characteristics was his “gyrating hips,” and it helped that he was very good-looking; his success began to propel him forward. In addition, it was during his career that rock n’ roll music became popular. Several of his hits were “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog,” and “Jailhouse Rock.”
Although his career was quite successful, his personal life was in turmoil. Elvis died in 1977 from heart failure, which was the result of prescription drug abuse.
9. Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke was a soul and pop singer. Some of his hit songs include “You Send Me,” “Chain Gang,” and “Wonderful World.” Cooke often earned the nickname “father of soul music,” his interest in music began at a young age. In 1948, Sam Cooke joined the Soul Stirrers group, who were a major inspiration to him.
When Cooke ventured into secular music, his first hit was “You Send Me.” It was this hit that took down “Jailhouse Rock.”
Tragically, the death of Sam Cooke is one with no clear answer. On December 10th, 1964, he was seen with Elisa Boyer at a bar, and they traveled together to a motel. However, while together, something happened, and Cooke ended up in the manager’s office. The manager shot Sam Cooke, claiming self-defense. The world mourned a musical icon who was taken from the world far too soon.
10. Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was a masterful singer and songwriter with incredible electric guitar talents and a unique sound. In 1961, Jimi Hendrix joined the military; however, in 1962, he suffered an injury and was honorably discharged.
Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding, and Mitch Mitchel formed the Jimi Hendrix Experience band in 1966. After their first single release, the band was an immediate success. Additionally, throughout his short career of four years, Jimi Hendrix saw success with multiple hits, including “Hey Joe,” “Purple Haze,” “Foxy Lady,” and “Little Wing.”
In 1969, Hendrix performed a rock version of The Star Spangled Banner during the Woodstock Music Festival, increasing his popularity. Unfortunately, due to tragic events, Jimi Hendrix died at the age of 27 from asphyxiation while on barbiturates. Jimi Hendrix is still considered one of the most notable rock n’ roll legends of all time, even today, decades later.