Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Beach Boys
One of the greatest vocal bands of the 1960s, the Beach Boys are best known for their harmonies and unique California sound. They were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Classical Bands
Classicbands:the Bee Gees
One of the most popular British pop bands of the 1960s and 70s, the Bee Gees also dominated the music of the disco era. They went on to writing major hits for other artists.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Drifters
Considered one of the greatest vocal groups of the 1950s and 1960s, The Drifters were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988 and have three songs on the list of the top 500 most influential songs.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Cream
Features background information on the formation of the 1960s British rock band Cream, which was led by Eric Clapton. They were inducted in to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Classical Bands
Classicbands: The Four Tops
Read about the Motown Records group, The Four Tops, who were one of the most popular R & B/pop acts of the 1960s.
Other
Down Beat: John Coltrane
Biographical information, photos, and a discography of jazz great John Coltrane, whose work in the 1960s included excursions into free jazz.
Other
Pop and Rock Music in the 60s: A Brief History
This site has an web-article of the origins of 60s rock. Sections include "The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll," "The 1960's Begin," "The British Invade," and "1968 & 1969: The Unraveling." Also includes a bibliography section called...
Library of Congress
Loc: Fiddle Tunes of the Old Frontier
At this site from the Library of Congress, you can listen to an 82-year-old Virginia fiddler, Henry Reed, playing tunes recorded in the 1960's. Many of the tunes have been transcribed and the notation can be viewed on line as well. The...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Les. 8: Using Rock as Primary Source Material
I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die-Rag' by Country Joe McDonald has been played with great success in classrooms for over twenty years. While it conveys literary elements such as theme, point of view, and irony, it also functions as an...
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Paul Simon
Along with Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon was part of one of the most popular bands of the 1960's. Still popular today, read about his career in this biography from PBS.
Other
Fifties Web
Explore popular culture of the 1950s and 1960s. Learn about the cars, tv shows, music, fashion, pop history, slang, and celebrities of those eras.
English Club
English Club: History of Soul Music
Learn the history of soul music from its origins in gospel music, through Motown and Memphis Soul, to contemporary rhythm and blues. The site includes three videos: Sam Cooke singing "A Change is Gonna Come," from 1964, with images from...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Temptations
The Temptations typified what Motown was all about in the 1960s. Read the history behind this Grammy winning group that at one time ruled the Top Forty and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: America Rocks and Rolls
Read a brief history of rock and roll and its roots. See why this form of music shook the establishment and shattered the idea of conformity.
Other
Kingwood Library: American Cultural History: 1960 1969
An historical record worth delving into to understand the true culture of the 60s. Covers art, architecture, literature, education, fashion, historic events, music, and other aspects of the era.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: The Temptations
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features the Temptations, an American vocal group noted for their smooth harmonies and intricate choreography. Recording primarily for Motown Records, they were among the most popular performers of...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Martha and the Vandellas
Features an overview of the career of Martha (Reeves) and the Vandellas, popular female vocal group of the 1960s that was part of the Motown sound. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Beat Movement
This encyclopedia entry surveys the Beat movement in American literature and culture during the 1950s and early 1960s, which was personified by such writers as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burroughs.
New York Times
New York Times: Mission: Music
Audio slideshow analysis of the musical score for the film "Mission: Impossible III," which uses the theme from the 1960s television series in different ways throughout.
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music: Lesson Three: Gospel Music Meets a Wide Audience
The third instructional activity deals with the emergence of gospel as a form of popular music among a general public. Gospel is a musical genre with roots in the African American church, particularly in the South. Between the 1940s and...
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg
This site contains biographical content drawn from the American Masters Series DVD entitled The Life And Times of Allen Ginsberg. The person featured,Allen Ginsberg, was one of the first "beat" poets. His counterculture experimentation...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is the first musician to be inducted into the Hall of Fame three times: first as a member of the Yardbirds, next with Cream, and finally as a solo performer. Performing since the early 1960s, he is still an essential force...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Ventures
Known for their instrumentals, the Ventures were a successful 1960s rock group. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, this article includes biographical details, a timeline, and list of popular songs.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia Library: Rock Music
The University of Virginia provides a short discussion of the psychedelic music of the 60s. Also contains cover art from twelve albums from this period. Click on the cover to see a bigger picture.