The 1960s were a golden era for music, with many of the bands of the time becoming household names. But for every Beatles or Rolling Stones, there were many great bands that have been forgotten over time. There were a wealth of amazing bands from the ’60s that deserve a listen, whether you are a long-time fan or simply curious. Here is a list of some of the great forgotten bands from the ’60s that deserve a listen.
The Who
The Who is one of the most recognizable bands from the ’60s, and their classic songs are still popular today. But they are sometimes overlooked, as they don’t always get the same praise as some of their contemporaries. Songs like “My Generation,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” and “I Can See For Miles” are considered classic who anthems, and the band was one of the pioneers of the British punk and rock scene.
The Move
The Move were another great English band of the era, and their classic single “Blackberry Way” is still heard today. The Move began as a true hippie band, with a psychedelic look and sound, but as time went on their sound evolved into a more rock and roll style. They released a number of classic albums throughout the ’60s, including “Shazam,” “Looking On,” and “Message From the Country” which helped to influence the burgeoning British Invasion.
Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band
Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band are an often overlooked psychedelic rock band from the ’60s. They were known for their unique sound and bizarre lyrics, and were an inspiration to punk and alternative bands in later decades. They released a number of albums throughout the decade, including the classic “Trout Mask Replica.”
The Pebbles
The Pebbles were another great Californian band from the ’60s. They were influenced by the surf rock and garage rock sounds of the time, and released their classic albums “Beach Beat” and “Turn On” in the mid-1960s. The Pebbles were also known for their energetic and wild live shows, which helped to create their cult following.
The Seeds
The Seeds were an American psychedelic rock band who were influenced by the British Invasion bands of the time. They were known for their unique sound which blended rock and roll, garage rock, and psychedelic elements. The Seeds most famously had the hit single “Pushin’ Too Hard,” but other classic tracks like “Can’t Seem to Make You Mine” and “Grimly Forming” are also worthy of a listen.
The Easybeats
The Easybeats were an Australian band that formed in the ’60s, and they had some major international success. The band released a number of classic albums, including “Good Times,” “Friday On My Mind,” and “Vigil.” They fused their rock and roll sound with soul and psychedelia, resulting in some of the most memorable music of the era.
The Zombies
The Zombies were an English band who released the classic album “Odessey and Oracle” in 1968. This album was made up of some of the band’s most famous tracks, including “Time of the Season” and “She’s Not There.” The Zombies’ sound was a blend of folk, pop, and psychedelia, and the album has gone on to influence generations of musicians.
The Kinks
The Kinks were one of the most influential bands of the ’60s, with their loud, raucous sound helping to define the British Invasion. They released several classic albums during the decade, including “Face To Face,” “Something Else By The Kinks,” and “The Kink Kronikles.” The Kinks’ songs such as “You Really Got Me,” “Stop Your Sobbing,” and “All Day and All of the Night” are now considered classic rock staples.
The Animals
The Animals were an English blues-rock band from the early ’60s. They were known for their gritty and gritty blues sound, and released a string of classic songs such as “House Of The Rising Sun,” “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place,” and “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” The Animals sound was one of the main influences behind the British Invasion, and their songs are now considered classics.
The Standells
The Standells were a band from Los Angeles in the ’60s, and they had a unique sound that blended ’60s garage rock with punk and psychedelia. They released a number of classic albums during their career, including “Dirty Water,” “Try It,” and “Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White.” The Standells had a big impact on later punk and alternative bands and their music is still heard today.
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground are one of the most influential bands of all time, and their music still has a huge impact on modern music. This band, even though they released only a handful of albums in the ’60s, influenced countless bands in the ’70s and beyond. The Velvet Underground’s sound was often dark and experimental, and their classic albums “The Velvet Underground & Nico,” “White Light/White Heat,” and “Loaded” all still sound fresh today.
These forgotten bands from the ’60s are some of the best and most influential of the era. Whether you’re a long-time fan or simply curious about the time, there are plenty of classic bands from the ’60s that deserve a listen. These bands helped to define the sound of the era, and their music has stood the test of time. The Beatles and Rolling Stones may get the most attention, but there were a many great, forgotten bands from the ’60s that deserve a listen.
