create your own

The Music Of The Sixties

68
rate or flag this page

By quicksand


LONESOME COWBOY

THE SIXTIES, A GREAT ERA FOR MUSIC

It was the sixties and the early seventies that produced some really fascinating music, some of which I am fortunate enough to have in my collection right now. Listening to these tracks even today brings back to mind events of yesterday, some of them associated with the period of time during which I first heard a particular song. The radio was one source of music. The other source was vinyl records. Instrumental music was more popular at that time than it is now.

The 45 rpm records known as singles contained one song on each side. When an artist releases a single, he also has to simultaneously record another song to occupy the flip side of the record. We referred to this as the B-side. Sometimes songs from movies are released as singles, and in such instances another song from the movie occupies the flip side. 45 rpm records also contained more than one song per side on some occasions. These were known as EPs, or extended play records. The grooves on EP records were closer together than that on the normal 45 rpm singles.


WHITER SHADE OF PALE

THOSE WERE THE DAYS

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

THE RECORD PLAYER

Then there were the 33 rpm long play albums which contained six or more tracks per side. These were known as LPs. Sometimes the entire soundtrack of a movie could be found on one single 33 rpm LP.

My brother, who was fourteen years older, owned a large collection of records. The record player we had at that time was "PYE," a brand which is not heard of these days. Although it had a built in amplifier, my brother preferred to make use of the amplifier of our radio.

Our Telefunken radio had provision to connect an external devise like a microphone or a record player. The output of the record player was linked to the radio's amplifier and the volume control of the radio was used to control the degree of loudness.

The transistor had not been invented at that time. Radios and amplifiers used something known as the grid valve to amplify electrical signals. They resembled a light bulb and emitted heat as well as light. Each of them was the size of a human finger. Our Telefunken radio contained twelve valves, whereas the amplifier of the record player had only four.

There have been some rare occasions when my brother assigns me the task of selecting some records and spinning them. This occurs when he sits at the main table with a set of HB graded pencils and drawing paper to indulge in one of his hobbies - drawing. I used to relish this. I rush to pick up the records before he withdraws his command. I had a fear that he would withdraw it on seeing my enthusiasm in executing it! However, fortunately for me, he never did!


PUPPET ON A STRING

THEME FOR A DREAM

MY FAVORITE TRACKS

I usually used to select the discs in this order,

  • jailhouse rock - Presley
  • living doll - Cliff
  • dynamite - Cliff
  • diana - Paul Anka
  • come prima - Lanza
  • raunchy - Billy Vaughn

Due to some fault in the record changer's mechanism it did not support piling up more than six records in one sitting. So the second session usually is,

  • wont you wear my ring around your neck - Presley
  • blue boy - Reeves
  • sail along silv'ry moon - Billy Vaughn
  • on an evening in roma - Dean Martin
  • lonesome cowboy - presley
  • islands of hawaii - marty robbins

Well, what do you think of my selection? These were some of my favourites at that time and even now!

Of course, these songs and other similar ones were "put on hold" for a period of time with the emergence of the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Chicago, Bee Gees, Bob Dylan, Three Dog Nite, Mungo Jerry, T-Rex, Deep Purple ...

These artists too, with their mastery, made a permanent impression on the music scene of the world. Especially the Rolling Stones with their unique brand of music.

With the Rolling Stones a new era, was just beginning. Of course a new chapter in music was dawning. The Rolling Stones, the greatest band ever ... was now rising like the rays of the sun ... soon it will be noon ...


THERE'S A KIND OF HUSH

HIS LATEST FLAME

RECORDS

Thriller Thriller
Price: $49.99
Sony PSLX250H Turntable Sony PSLX250H Turntable
Price: $79.99
List Price: $99.95
Abbey Road [Vinyl] Abbey Road [Vinyl]
Price: $10.91
List Price: $15.98
Vintage Vinyl LP Record Coasters - Set of 6 Vintage Vinyl LP Record Coasters - Set of 6
Price: $17.99
Ion U-record Music Archiver Ion U-record Music Archiver
Price: $45.01
List Price: $99.00

CLASSICAL, POP, OR ROCK?

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU LIKE?

  • Music? Gimme! Gimme!
  • Er ... I like all types of music ... especially the music of the sixties and seventies ... the eighties too ...
  • Man - I like rock! I really dig the underground music of Led Zeppelein and Deep Purple,.
  • I like classical music and jazz
See results without voting

Comments

RSS for comments on this Hub Small RSS Icon

newcapo profile image

newcapo  says:
9 months ago

Excellent hub, I really dig the music of the '60s man...no seriously :-)

Great read.

I was not alive during the 60s, but much of the music of that era has been part of my life since I was a teenager.

Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, Joplin, Dylan, Steppenwolf, CSN&Y,Ten Years After, and Zeppelin put out their first LP in 1969 I believe so they count. There are many more, those just surface into my consciousness first.

quicksand profile image

quicksand  says:
9 months ago

Thanks for your comment, newcapo. In my hub on "can you identify your favorite music," I have mentioned the Stones, Hendrix, Led Zep, Dylan and the rest. However I had forgotten Steppenwolf. The only track of theirs I have heard is "born to be wild." 10 years after was featred in the doccumentary "Woodstock," along with Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young and Taylor, Dallas and Greg Reeves. :)

jbcat profile image

jbcat  says:
9 months ago

I have always loved Music from the Sixties. Sunday was always sixties day on the Radio when I was listening to music. I loved the Beatles, Birds, the Turles and all the other animail groups. Thanks for the memories.

quicksand profile image

quicksand  says:
9 months ago

Thanks JB, thanks for your visit and your comment. :)

Dottie1 profile image

Dottie1  says:
9 months ago

I will always love the music of the 60's. I still often listen to the oldies radio station to get my fill. Somewhere in this house and I just went to look but couldn't find it is a record player. I love Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. The Moody Blues was one of my favorites that I am listening to right now....Your Wildest Dreams, Nights in White Satin, The Lost Performance, Ride My See-Saw, No more Lies, and I could go on about these guys....

Thanks quicksand, I really enjoyed your hub and the music of the 60's.

quicksand profile image

quicksand  says:
9 months ago

Thanks for your comments Dottie. I had left out Sly and the Family Stone, Steppenwolf, Simon and Garfunkel, and many more. When I rummage through my collection of casettes, I find more interesting music. Must put them on CD.

Thanks once again for your visit. :)

Dottie1 profile image

Dottie1  says:
9 months ago

The songs of the 60's are never ending. Loved Sly and the Family Stone....Hot Fun in the Summertime, Family Affair, Everyday People, Take you Higher.....on and on :)

quicksand profile image

quicksand  says:
9 months ago

Thanks for commenting, Dottie. I had a close look at Sly in the doccumentary entitled "Woodstock." The other artists featured were, Ten Years After, the Who, Richie Havens, Joe Cocker, Country Joe McDonald, Joan Baez ... oh! I forget the rest! :)

muser profile image

muser  says:
8 months ago

Some of the best music was made in that era - I also like the music of the fifties - how can I not like people like The Everly Brothers, The Drifters, Ritchie Valens etc.

quicksand profile image

quicksand  says:
8 months ago

Muser, thanks for your visit! I remember Ritchie Valence of La-Bamba fame. The Everly Brothers had a track called Take a message to Mary, and the Drifters recorded Save the Last Dance. 

I believe that the Drifters also sang "Greenfields," am I right?

muser profile image

muser  says:
8 months ago

Nope - haven't heard that one by the Drifters.

Chef Jeff profile image

Chef Jeff  says:
8 months ago

Although I was never famous I played in a "garage band" and we won a recording contract on Orlyn Records. We were known as The Corals and had a local following in Chicago. It was a great time!


Great hub!


Cheers!


Chef Jeff

quicksand profile image

quicksand  says:
8 months ago

Yes Jeff, being a musician is certainly one way of having a great time. Listening to music is another way, more passive though!

Thanks for your comment, and your visit. :)

James A Watkins profile image

James A Watkins  says:
3 months ago

Quicksand,


A nice hub. "Those Were the Days" features some of the finest lyrics ever written. I loved seeing Mary Hopkins sing it (recorded on Broadway?).



James


quicksand profile image

quicksand  says:
3 months ago

Hi James,

Mary Hopkins really does a great job with the lyrics. Thanks for checking out my hub. :)

APD Marketing profile image

APD Marketing  says:
3 months ago

I don't believe it...we had a Pye radiogram as well! There was also a Pye record label with bands such as the Searchers (I am showing my age now!).


My first 45 (single) that was my very own was "I Got You Babe" by Sonny and Cher - loved it.


I loved the 60's but my favourite era has to be the 70's with the emergence of David Bowie, Glam Rock, Disco and my favourite, errr sorry about this...Prog Rock with ELP, Yes, Pink Floyd, Rick Wakeman etc etc.


I am now ready to be musically "flamed" :>)


Cheers


Derek

quicksand profile image

quicksand  says:
3 months ago

Hi Derek, Oh, I do remember the term "radiogram!" It is is one unit which consists of radio, record player, and a tape recorder.

Thanks for visiting my hub! :)

APD Marketing profile image

APD Marketing  says:
3 months ago

Mine was so ancient the cassette recorder hadn't been invented!


I still had a reel to reel at that time with a mic that ised to stand in front of the speakers!!!


Now I really have given my age away :>(

BTW did you hear that White Shade of Pale has been designated the most payed tune of all time (according to the BBC yesterday)!

quicksand profile image

quicksand  says:
3 months ago

Yeah, those radio grams did have reel to reel tape. The cassette recorder was not invented at that time. We too used to transfer music by holding a mike in front of the record player's speaker.

Those were the days! If I could just go back in time for a while, I certainly would. But I would definitely want to get back to this era. I dont wanna miss the Internet!

Thanks a lot Derek, for your interesting remarks. :)


 

Gypsy Willow profile image

Gypsy Willow  says:
2 weeks ago

There has never been anything like that period. It was real music. Nuf said! Thanks.

quicksand profile image

quicksand  says:
2 weeks ago

You said it, Gypsy Willow! Appreciate your visit. :)

Submit a Comment

Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.


optional


  • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
  • Comments are not for promoting your hubs or other sites


CLASSICAL MUSIC IN THE NEWS

  • The Classical Music NetworkConcertonet23 hours ago

    Homepage of ConcertoNet.com, the Classical Music Network

  • Classical musicSan Francisco Chronicle3 hours ago

    Michael Tilson Thomas, 64. Music director, San Francisco Symphony. Since Thomas took the reins in 1995, his tenure has been widely acclaimed as one of the best possible fits among an orchestra, its music director and its audience. Among the highlights of his...

  • Michael Jackson - Jackson Had Classical Album In PipelineContactMusic5 hours ago

    MICHAEL JACKSON was busy working on two music projects before his untimely death - including one album of classical compositions.Fans were eagerly waiting the King of...


THE MUSIC OF THE SIXTIES

Sixties Classics Sixties Classics
Price: $4.48
List Price: $10.98
The Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music (Virgin Encyclopedias of Popular Music Series) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music (Virgin Encyclopedias of Popular Music Series)
Price: $108.80
List Price: $24.95
Blue Jean Baby: One Girl's Trip Through the 1960's L.A. Music Scene Blue Jean Baby: One Girl's Trip Through the 1960's L.A. Music Scene
Price: $9.99
Wild Weekend: Sixties Music, Garage Punk Wild Weekend: Sixties Music, Garage Punk
Price: $3.99
List Price: $19.95
Original Hits- Sixties Original Hits- Sixties
Price: $16.73
List Price: $20.98

THE SIXTIES MUSIC

  • It's ridiculous to talk about 'freeconomics' when we've already given ourselves awayGuardian Unlimited1 second ago

    Freakonomics is so 2005. This year, it's all about freeconomics - the idea that the internet can deliver something for nothing. There's a great deal of excitement about a new book by the editor of the US edition of Wired magazine, Chris Anderson: Free: The Future of a Radical Price, as my colleague John Naughton notes on page 8. The notion that companies - including media businesses like the one ...

  • Allen Klein: Notorious business manager for the Beatles and the Rolling StonesIndependent14 hours ago

    The most infamous manager of the rock and pop era, Allen Klein looked after the affairs of the Rolling Stones and the Beatles in the Sixties and early seventies. A notoriously brash character and tough negotiator, Klein invented the role of business manager but his stance as the outsider siding with the artists, the enemy of the record companies, would have had a lot more credence if he hadn't ...

  • Northumbria UniversityIndependent1 second ago

    Northumbria University


INSTRUMENTALS - RECENT

Unforgettable Instrumental Hits Unforgettable Instrumental Hits
Price: $8.87
List Price: $12.99
Free Flight (Instrumental) Free Flight (Instrumental)
Price: $0.00
Teaching of Instrumental Music, The (3rd Edition) Teaching of Instrumental Music, The (3rd Edition)
Price: $89.99
List Price: $128.60
WINTER MORNINGS: Relaxation - Spa - Healing - Solo Instrumental Music WINTER MORNINGS: Relaxation - Spa - Healing - Solo Instrumental Music
Price: $11.99
Top 25 Praise Songs: Instrumental Top 25 Praise Songs: Instrumental
Price: $5.93
List Price: $9.98

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

working