Top Ten Most Underrated Bands and Singers of the 60s

The Top Ten
1 The Kinks The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, in 1964 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They are regarded as one of the most important and influential rock bands of the 1960s.

The kinks, one of my most favorite bands ever, is one of the best 60's bands alive. It's a shame that they didn't get as much fame as they should have.

The Kinks were around for about 30 years. They changed their music without sacrificing their sound. They never went disco.

Amazing Band! so many fun songs. My favorite band of all time, along with The Beatles.

My second favorite band of all time! I love the Kinks

2 The Hollies The Hollies are a British pop/rock group best known for their pioneering and distinctive three-part vocal harmony style.

Have you ever heard The Hollies version of Witchy Woman, an early attempt by the young unsigned Eagles to get their music heard / recorded? Even lead singer Allan Clarke took notice of a young unknown Bruce Springsteen in about 1974 as he and The Hollies recorded their version of "Born To Run" a YEAR before Springsteen's version. True fact : The Springsteen version follows The Hollies production version exactly...the Springsteen version got the airplay a year later (1975) as the folks at EMI/Epic -CBS didn't think The Hollies version warranted being a single. Listen to the various Hollies album tracks you've never heard, you may change your mind about this GREAT, underrated band. - Cheers!

What about The Hollies? they never get a mention when it comes to Best British Invasion acts as they always were labeled as a "Pop/Singles/Beatles-like" band. People keep thinking of The Beatles as major influencers of everything instead of turning around and give The Hollies' a listen to every 60s studio record they di. It is more evident that their Manchester sound helped in a way to develop those catchy, energic, even jazzy tunes that later become an inspiration to the leading sound of 90s Madchester, BritPop, etc. How many "Hollies Greatest Hits" compilations they have? Countless really, think of it! Several generations of new musician should have listened to them unconsciously and loved what they were listening instantly. That's why they are underrated. People need to know that The Hollies are more than "He Ain't Heavy, Long Cool Woman...". Just listen to their music. Fab lead singer. Fab musicians. They were ranked top of the live acts list while at their peak over other great ...more

Oh yes! The Hollies! In my opinion... they are the best band ever!

3 The Animals The Animals are an English band of the 1960s, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne, during the early part of the decade.

Sky Pilot how high can you fly? Most brilliantly worded song.

This band is so much more iconic than what people give them credit for. On the outside they seem very “Beatles- like” but if you ever have the chance to watch one of their performances you can see they are by definition the COMPLETE opposite. With a very cool and reserved persona, Eric Burdon has such an enlightening stage presence, without all the head shaking and dancing he manages to encapsulate any audience with his incredible raspy blues/ rock voice which is so disgustingly underrated. Every memeber of the band performed so confidently and with such a laid back attitude that just oozed coolness. John Steel the drummer would chew gum and just shred the drums like nothing was happening. Their music at the time was so different to the bands out there in the 60’s and each song had its own unique style and message. Their songs discussed important topics like war, rebellion and such and they were never ones to shy away from trying something new. I cannot begin to praise this gem ...more

4 Leonard Cohen Leonard Norman Cohen was a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet and novelist. His work explored religion, politics, isolation, sexuality and personal relationships. Cohen died on November 7, 2016 at the age of 82.
5 Paul Anka Paul Albert Anka, OC is a Canadian American singer, songwriter, and actor. Anka became famous during the late 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s with hit songs like "Diana", "Lonely Boy", "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", and " Having My Baby".

A Canadian singer and songwriter, who liked a French song, bought the song's rights for only ONE dollar, wrote English lyrics, called the English version of the song "My Way" and gave it to Frank Sinatra!
Yes, who doesn't know Sinatra's signature song? Paul Anka did a cover of this song, too (Paul Anka - My Way). The original French song was "Comme d'habitude" by Claude François (available on YouTube).
But Paul Anka also had his own hit songs like "Diana", "Lonely Boy", "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", and "(You're) Having My Baby".
He also wrote such well-known music as the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and one of Tom Jones's biggest hits, "She's a Lady".

6 Van Morrison Sir George Ivan Morrison OBE is a Northern Irish singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and record producer. In 2016, he was knighted for services to the music industry and to tourism in Northern Ireland.

The guy is a genius! Once he went solo, he was only about the music, he never tried to be a pop star. So underrated it's sickening.

Still the best today. Van is a Legend

7 Tim Buckley Timothy Charles "Tim" Buckley III (February 14, 1947 – June 29, 1975) was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. His music and style changed considerably through the years; he began his career based in folk music, but his subsequent albums incorporated jazz, psychedelia, funk, soul, avant-garde and an evolving "voice as instrument" sound. Though he did not find commercial success during his lifetime, Buckley is admired by later generations for his innovation as a musician and vocal ability. He died at the age of 28 from a heroin overdose, leaving behind his sons Taylor and Jeff Buckley, the latter of whom later went on to become a musician as well.

Oh yes, I agree with that. He might be the best singer ever.

8 The Byrds 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.

Often called The American Beatles during their heyday, internal strife ruined it, mostly in the form of David Crosby being a total jerk towards the band's primary writer Gene Clark. When Clark finally quit in disgust, the band was still good, but never quite the same.

Funny, all these years later, and David Crosby is still a huge jerk.

9 Spirit

Back in the headlines again as of April 2016, as courtroom proceedings indicate that Led Zeppelin stole substantial parts of the Spirit song "Taurus" to compose LZ's "Stairway to Heaven".

10 Nazareth

Scottish hard rock band. I like their version of Love Hurts, originally by The Everly Brothers.

Not really a 60's artist.
Though formed in 1968 as a garage band, they did not release their first album until 1971.

The Contenders
11 Simon & Garfunkel Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel.

Their voices were just magical!

12 The Doors The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore.

A lot of people like the Doors but there some out there who don't think much of them and that's bull. One of the best ever

13 Buffalo Springfield 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.
14 Love

One of the best bands that no one talks about. Arthur Lee & company put out a slew of catchy and compelling albums that are well worth a listen.

15 The Yardbirds The Yardbirds are an English rock band formed in London in 1963 that had a string of hits during the mid-1960s, including "For Your Love", "Heart Full of Soul" and "Over Under Sideways Down".
16 The Zombies The Zombies are an English rock band formed in 1962 in St Albans and led by keyboardist and vocalist Rod Argent and vocalist Colin Blunstone.

The Zombies are criminally underrated. Their album Odessey and Oracle is a brillant masterpiece. Why the band isn't in the top 5 on this list, is beyond my knowledge.

17 The Turtles

The Turtles produced many more amazing songs than just a few they have been credited for. Possibly 60's most underrated rock band. Can't believe that it hasn't been on the list all this time.

18 Bee Gees The Bee Gees were a pop music group formed in 1958. Their line-up consisted of brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb.
19 Ringo Starr Richard Starkey known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer, songwriter and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for the Beatles.

Was not a solo artist during the 60's.

20 1910 Fruitgum Company
21 Mungo Jerry
22 Strawberry Alarm Clock Strawberry Alarm Clock is a psychedelic rock band formed in 1967 in Los Angeles best known for their 1967 hit single "Incense and Peppermints".
23 The Box Tops

The Box Tops is an amazing band, and even though I know only some of their songs, like "Cry Like A Baby", but overall, this band is very excellent.

24 The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground was an American rock band, active between 1964 and 1973, formed in New York City.

Proto-Punk at its finest.

25 The Critters

They had some really great songs including that really great catchy tune "Younger Girl"

Definitely under rated

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