Best Folk Rock Bands of the 1960s
Criteria used to choose bands (in no particular order):Commercial success
Pioneering
Influential
Talent
The Mamas & the Papas were an American folk rock vocal group formed in Los Angeles, California which recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968. The group was a defining force in the music scene of the counterculture of the 1960s. The group was composed of Americans John Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Michelle Phillips and Canadian Denny Doherty. Their sound was based on vocal harmonies arranged by John Phillips, the songwriter, musician, and leader of the group, who adapted folk to the new beat style of the early 1960s. ...read more. They had wonderful songs and harmony. I played some of their songs in my band. They are not an evil group in any shape or form. What a stupid thing to say...that person must be very uneducated. Cass Elliot had the best voice in the group and was extremely talented, which is why she did well with her solo career and others did not,proof is in the pudding. They had a great influence in the music business and will have for many years to come.
First fully integrated band with two men and two women. Original sound. Original look--nothing or no one looked like they did, one reason Ed Sullivan liked them so much. Vocal harmonies are the best; no other band will ever sound like them.
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member, until the group disbanded in 1973. Although they only managed to attain the huge commercial success of contemporaries like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Rolling Stones for a short period, the Byrds are today considered by critics to be one of the most influential bands of the 1960s. They invented folk rock
Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. The thing I love about Simon and Garfunkel is their minimalist approach. Often only a guitar and their voices (which are always in perfect harmony). Art Garfunkel's vocal arangements define Paul Simon's songs. They were never the same without each other.
So many wonderful hits... Bridge over troubled water, the Boxer, Mrs. Robinson... and so many more.
The Lovin' Spoonful is a U.S. rock band, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and well known for a number of hit songs in the 1960s including "Summer in the City", "Do You Believe In Magic", "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?", and "Daydream". The Spoonful and The Byrds are two of my favorite bands from the Sixties.
Donovan is a Scottish singer, songwriter and guitarist. He developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia, and world music.
Buffalo Springfield was an American-Canadian rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1966. Their original lineup included Stephen Stills, Dewey Martin, Bruce Palmer, Richie Furay, and Neil Young.Peter, Paul and Mary are awesome.
Best folk group EVER!
They invented British folk rock.
Creedence Clearwater Revival, often shortened to Creedence and abbreviated as CCR, was an American rock band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They weren't really a folk rock band. They were more of a roots band, more influenced by straight rock and roll, blues, and country.
Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (Vocal), Jimmy Page (Guitar), John Paul Jones (Bass, Keyboard) and John Bonham (Drums) and was very much the child of Jimmy Page who even financed their first tour. He had tasted some previous success with The [original] Yardbirds and was friendly with some big names in rock. Page states it was Keith Moon of The Who that claimed the band could only go down, like a lead balloon -- thus prompting the iconic name of Led Zeppelin. The band's heavy, guitar-driven sound, rooted in blues and psychedelia on their early albums, has earned them recognition as one of the progenitors ...read more.