© All rights reserved SixtiesMusic.org
Motown
In the late fifties Tamla records was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in Detroit Michigan.
The Miracles released “Shop Around” in 1960 and this was Motown’s first million selling record. Their first Number one was “Please Mr Postman” by the Marvelettes in 1961.
Over the years Motown signed legends like:-
In the late fifties Tamla records was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in Detroit Michigan.
The Miracles released “Shop Around” in 1960 and this was Motown’s first million selling record. Their first Number one was “Please Mr Postman” by the Marvelettes in 1961.
Over the years Motown signed legends like:-
· The Four Tops. The Temptations
· The Supremes Junior Walker & Allstars
· (Little) Stevie Wonder Martha Reeves & Vandellas
· Marvin Gaye Gladys Knight & the Pips
· Smokey Robinson The Miracles
· Mary Wells The Jackson Five
They also had a formidable production crew which included the renowned song writing trio:-
· Brian Holland
· Lamont Dozier
· Eddie Holland
The Funk Brothers were the excellent backing group for Motown.
The Supremes were the most prolific selling artists for Motown and they had several number one hits which included - I Hear A Symphony - Baby love – Come See About Me – Where Did Our Love Go.
In 1966 they were the first female group to reach number one in the Billboard Magazine pop album charts with “A’ Go-Go”.
Stax
In Memphis Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton had set up Satellite Records.
By taking the first two letters from their Surnames Stewart and Axton
they later formed Stax records. They launched the careers of soul legends
such as:- Sam & Dave – Eddie Floyd – Booker T and the MG’s (Memphis Group) - Carla Thomas - Isaac Hayes - Arthur Conley - The Staple Singers - The Mar- Keys and the incomparable Otis Redding.
Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote numerous sixties songs.
Among the hits of the sixties which they wrote were :-
In Memphis Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton had set up Satellite Records.
By taking the first two letters from their Surnames Stewart and Axton
they later formed Stax records. They launched the careers of soul legends
such as:- Sam & Dave – Eddie Floyd – Booker T and the MG’s (Memphis Group) - Carla Thomas - Isaac Hayes - Arthur Conley - The Staple Singers - The Mar- Keys and the incomparable Otis Redding.
Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote numerous sixties songs.
Among the hits of the sixties which they wrote were :-
· The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Gene Pitney
· Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa - Gene Pitney
· Wives and Lovers - Jack Jones
· Anyone who had A Heart - Cilla Black
· Alfie - Cilla Black
· Make It Easy On Yourself - The Walker Brothers
· Always Something There To Remind Me - Sandie Shaw
· This Guy’s In Love With You - Herb Alpert
· What’s New Pussycat - Tom Jones
· Don’t Make Me Over - Swinging Blue Jeans
· I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself - Dusty Springfield
· Walk On By - Dionne Warwick
· Do You Know The Way To San Jose? - Dionne Warwick
· You’ll Never Get To Heaven - Dionne Warwick
These were just a few of the songs they wrote. Their contribution to sixties music was immense.
Chuck Berry in the fifties and sixties wrote, recorded and had hits with a plethora of R&B songs which have become classics. Most of the early beat groups performed his songs and copied his style of guitar playing. The Beatles recorded “Roll over Beethoven” and “Rock n’ Roll Music”.
The Rolling Stones were influenced by him and recorded “Johnny B. Goode”, “Bye Bye Johnny” ,“Carol” and “Around and Around” just to name a few.
The two main 60’s music T.V. Shows which were carried over from the 50’s were American Bandstand U.S. and Jukebox Jury U.K.
Music the Sixties
60’s Music
The sixties was an incredibly exciting, inventive and vibrant time.
We marched into the 1960’s with more enthusiasm, hope and self belief than in any other decade. The sixties teenagers were the first wave of baby boomers. We’d moved out of the fifties bringing with it Doo Wop, Rhythm & Blues, rock n’ roll, Jiving and the start of the Twist craze.
The Twist was written and first released in 1959 by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters. In 1960 it was covered by Chubby Checker and became a big hit and a huge dance craze which people still practice today.
There were many other sixties dance fads including The Penguin, The Swim, The Duck, The Mashed Potato, The Jerk, The Chicken, The Monkey, The Frug, The Boogaloo, The Shingaling and The Locomotion which was also a number one in 1962 written by Gerry Goffin & Carole King and sang by Little Eva who was their babysitter.
Contents Sixties Montage
Beatles - It Won’t Be Long
Beatles - Can’t Buy Me Love
Beatles - Ticket To Ride.
Beach Boys - I Get Around
Cream - Sunshine of Your Love
Kinks - You Really Got Me
Kinks - Waterloo Sunset