Top 10 Best Bands of the 60s

The Top Ten

The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development of the 1960s counterculture and the recognition of popular... read more

The Beatles never stopped innovating and writing great music. They were so focused on making good music that they actually stopped touring in 1966 because they thought concert life detracted from making good music.
Paul and John were legends, and so was George. It just took him and the band a little longer to realize it, as he was the quietest in the band. While Ringo is Ringo, his banter and great drumming skills culminated in a truly amazing band.

Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, The White Album, Abbey Road, and, to a lesser extent, Let It Be are six of the best albums ever recorded. And that's not even counting their poppy first five albums, releases such as Yellow Submarine and Magical Mystery Tour, and the countless non-album singles like Hey Jude, Paperback Writer, and I Want to Hold Your Hand.
Their creativity is still unmatched in music, and their influence spans far further than just rock.
The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. The first settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar), Bill Wyman (bass), and Charlie Watts (drums).... read more

The Rolling Stones are my favorite band of the British Invasion and probably of all time. All the music now is nothing compared to bands like the Stones. I like their early music better than their older music, though.
My favorite songs by the Stones are Satisfaction, Wild Horses, Sympathy for the Devil, Paint It Black, and especially Gimme Shelter. The Rolling Stones made a lot of good songs with other music artists and singers like Merry Clayton.
The Rolling Stones will always be my favorites, even though the Beatles are probably the greatest.

For me, The Rolling Stones was a band that influenced more people in the US during the sixties than The Beatles. Just listen to the millions of US garage-punk bands of the mid-sixties.
They were obviously more interested in the rawer, rebellious sounds and attitudes of The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Yardbirds, and The Who than The Beatles. I'm not saying The Beatles weren't talented, but what if The Rolling Stones had been the first instead of The Beatles to invade the US? Wouldn't that have changed history?
The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys are an American pop rock band formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The original lineup included brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. They are widely recognized for their vocal harmonies and innovative studio work, especially... read more

They should be number 2! They should also be number 2 on the greatest bands of all time list! I mean, the Beach Boys were my life for three years.
Every time I felt happy, I craved some good-old fun Beach Boys songs about girls and hot rods. When I wanted something artistic, I would listen to Pet Sounds five times in a row, followed by Today! and the rest of the genuine music they created!
They are so unique in every way. They always make me happy, they make me cry, and they make me think of life differently. They mean a lot to me, and I am just 13 years old. I wish people would love them as much as I do.

People who don't think they deserve to be in the top 5 obviously haven't heard their material from the late '60s and early '70s.
While I do enjoy their early '60s surf music, and it was extremely popular and era-defining, their later material saw them really expand their musical palette. They also wrote some really great, thoughtful lyrics. Carl Wilson is an underrated songwriter and a hell of a singer, and Brian is a genius.
The Doors

The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, comprising vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most influential and occasionally controversial rock acts of the 1960s, largely due to Morrison's poetic... read more

I can't say enough about The Doors. Unfortunately, Jim Morrison was more interested in poetry than music. If Jim could have defeated his drug and alcohol addiction, stayed alive, and focused on music, they had the potential to be the greatest band of all time.
I compare what happened to Jim Morrison and The Doors with what happened to my favorite band, The Beach Boys. If Brian and Jim had held it together, music history would be much different. These guys were brilliant!
I wish I could have attended one of their concerts in the late 1960s.

Maybe they didn't change music, maybe they didn't reinvent genres, and maybe they weren't politically motivated lyricists. But they were poets and scholars. Their dominion was the mind and the existential.
They are the only ones on this list who had movies made about them by Oliver Stone and Francis Ford Coppola. They are influential to people's minds. Morrison had an IQ of 149. His flower power era persona hides the true depth of his message and immense intellect.
The Who

The Who is an English rock band formed in London, England, in 1964. The most recognizable lineup consisted of Roger Daltrey (lead vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass guitar), and Keith Moon (drums). They are best known for their live performances and hit songs "Baba O'Riley," "My Generation... read more

The Who is one of my favorite bands ever, and there are lots of reasons why! They are, as everyone already knows, talented musicians and incredible performers, but there's more to them than that!
Their music has saved my life and made it better. Their music has taught me life lessons, such as being happier and less worried. It also taught me that I shouldn't get too angry at someone who insults me and that I should never let things like hate comments ruin my day.
Listening to The Who's music makes me feel like they're next to me, teaching me life lessons!
Thank you, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, and of course, kudos to their songwriter, Pete Townshend!
The Jimi Hendrix Experience

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was an English-American rock band formed in Westminster, London, in September 1966. The group featured Jimi Hendrix on vocals and guitar, Noel Redding on bass and backing vocals, and Mitch Mitchell on drums.... read more

I saw them in the 60s, top of the bill at the Empire Liverpool. He is my number one all-time favorite, absolutely fantastic. Never been beaten, in my opinion. Absolutely incredible. Died too soon.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience is one of the greatest bands of the 60s indeed. Hendrix is, and always will be, one of the greatest guitarists ever to live on the face of this Earth.

People may have known how to play the electric guitar before Jimi, but he really showed the world how to "play with" an electric guitar and use different sounds.
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. Their music was integral to the development of British rock, with hits like You Really Got Me and... read more

The Kinks wrote songs of every style and mostly did it better than every other band of the era. It's a shame they were banned from the US in their prime, which limited their international exposure. The one thing the Beatles really had on them was George Martin.
It seems to me that if The Kinks had the same access to production techniques and guidance as the Beatles, this wouldn't even be a discussion.

The Kinks were the forerunners of power pop and punk. They used the power chord to its full advantage before anyone else realized it. They wrote some of the cleverest pop songs ever with the greatest hooks that made their music happy and full of fun.
They are uniquely English and proud of it. Ray Davies has penned songs that will never be forgotten or sound dated, even today. They deserve a top-three slot in any chart.
Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival, commonly abbreviated as CCR or simply Creedence, was an American rock band formed in El Cerrito, California. The band consisted of lead vocalist, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter John Fogerty. His brother, rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty. Bassist Stu Cook. And drummer... read more

CCR took the world by storm and created some of the best music and songs ever heard to this day. I can't believe lead singer and songwriter John Fogerty is still writing hit songs and actively putting on star performances. Keep up the good show. Can't wait for the next CD.
Some talk of a reunion. I think it would be amazing. New songs from such a talented group once again could take the world by the hand and lead them through a new storm of greater magnitude.

The greatest AMERICAN rock band ever! They wrote the most recognizable Vietnam War song (Fortunate Son) and other classics that people sometimes overlook, like Down on the Corner, Up Around the Bend, and Proud Mary.
Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They gained international acclaim with their innovative, conceptual music blending progressive rock and psychedelia. The classic lineup included Syd Barrett (vocals and guitar), David Gilmour (vocals and guitar), Nick... read more

How great was Pink Floyd? Well, there are two bands that I can think of that pay tribute to The Floyd to this day: Brit Floyd and Aussie Floyd. I have watched Brit and Aussie Floyd on YouTube, and both bands blew me away with their tributes to Pink Floyd.
I will always agree with the person who wrote, "There isn't a band that can compete in terms of being able to sit there and listen to the entire album from start to finish and enjoy every second, every album, every song."
Cover bands are a dime a dozen. Tribute bands are solid gold. Thank you, Brit and Aussie Floyd, for keeping the music of Pink Floyd alive and well.

Syd Barrett famously dropped out of the band after providing such original and quirky songs, leaving the band with no direction. But they reinvented themselves and are now still one of the biggest bands on the planet.
What's remarkable is their appeal to the masses and aficionados alike, although their repertoire has ossified since the 80s.
Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass, keyboard), and John Bonham (drums). The band was largely the brainchild of Jimmy Page, who even financed their first tour... read more

They had the looks, the skill, and the creativity, although they weren't too scrupulous about scavenging for other people's ideas. Robert Plant is the best rock singer ever.

I'm in the mood for a melody, I'm in the mood for a melody, I'm in the mood.

If you don't like them, you don't have good taste in music.

The Newcomers

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The Impressions
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Q65

The Contenders

The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1964. Active until 1973, the band was managed early on by Andy Warhol and became influential for their experimental sound and lyrical themes. Members included Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Maureen Tucker.

I'm waiting for my man, $26 in my hand. He's never early, he's always late. The first thing you learn is you always gotta wait.

These guys laid the foundation for many new wave and underground bands!

Loved the uniqueness of this band. Deserves to be in the top 5.
Cream

Cream was a 1960s British rock supergroup power trio consisting of bassist and vocalist Jack Bruce, drummer Ginger Baker, and guitarist and vocalist Eric Clapton. The band was known for its blend of blues, psychedelic rock, and hard rock. Cream is often regarded as one of the first supergroups and was... read more

I can't believe Cream, the pioneers of blues rock, is not in the top 10! I've always compared Cream with Led Zeppelin (two favorite bands of all time), and I can never decide... they are too good!
Jack Bruce defines bass, Clapton kicks ass on the guitar, and Ginger Baker... he's such a phenomenal drummer. These guys deserve at least top 5.

Personally, I think Cream should be at least in the top 15. I mean, Sunshine of Your Love was an amazing song, and even though the group only lasted like three years, they sure as hell made the most of it!
The Mamas & the Papas

The Mamas & the Papas were an American folk rock vocal group formed in Los Angeles, California, who recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968. The group was a defining force in the music scene of the 1960s counterculture. The members were Americans John Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Michelle Phillips, and... read more

This band changed the sound of rock music. They were the first to be fully integrated sexually, with two men and two women. Their vocal harmonies were, and remain, unparalleled.

This is a solid band throughout.
The Animals

The Animals are a 1960s English rock band formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade. They became known for their gritty, blues-influenced sound and hits like House of the Rising Sun and Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. The band was part of the British Invasion of the United States... read more

Before The Doors, there was The Animals. House of the Rising Sun is simply the best song of 1964 and a stunning record. Rock had an edge before for being raw and sexual, but The Animals were the first group to introduce a real sense of darkness into the genre. Rock has never been the same since.

One of the greatest bands, underrated because of what happened later with them (multiple splits that caused multiple members to use the band's name).
House of the Rising Sun, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, We've Gotta Get Out of This Place. The lead singer is amazing. He would later go on to make Sky Pilot, which is really good as well.
The Byrds

The Byrds were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. They achieved early commercial success and played a significant role in popularizing folk rock. While they did not maintain the same level of popularity as the Beatles or the Rolling Stones, their influence on 1960s rock... read more

One of the best American bands ever. Their strong folk music influence changed the rock sound for a long time, and their songs still resonate today.
Definitely belong in the top 10!

They made so many new styles of music and created really the first psychedelic song, "Eight Miles High." Roger McGuinn's bright-sounding Rickenbacker guitar was iconic.

The Byrds were one of the most influential bands of the 60s, introducing folk rock, acid rock, and country rock. They should have made the top ten.
The Monkees

The Monkees were an American rock and pop band originally active between 1966 and 1971, with reunion albums and tours in the decades that followed. The band was formed for a television series of the same name and included members Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones. They are known... read more

Sure, they started off as a manufactured boy band, but they took control and ended up performing all their material and writing much of it as well.
They also have great character sketch songs such as PO BOX 9847 and Mr. Webster that you would never hear from any boy bands from the last four decades.
Also, whether they wrote or played on certain songs, those first six albums are rock solid and sound like a perfect amalgamation of all the best acts of the 60s, specifically The Beatles, The Byrds, The Beach Boys, and The Lovin' Spoonful.

Great personalities, great voices, and a great band. They caught a lot of undeserved flak, especially since a lot of bands in the sixties used session players on their albums.
And the MTV shun was undeserved as well.
Simon & Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo composed of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They rose to fame in the 1960s with hits like The Sound of Silence, Mrs. Robinson, and Bridge Over Troubled Water. The duo is known for their harmonious vocals and socially conscious... read more

Number 22. Come on. Simon and Garfunkel are the most innovative duo of all time. Their songwriting is ridiculously good, and I don't think there are more beautiful voices in pop music.

They should be in the top 3, right after The Beatles and The Beach Boys. No one beats Simon on melodic catchiness. The man is pure gold in everything he touches.

They are absolutely amazing. How could they not be top 5!
Jefferson Airplane

Jefferson Airplane was a San Francisco, California-based band that pioneered the American counterculture movement and psychedelic rock. The group played a prominent role in the music scene of the 1960s and gained fame for their performances at major festivals like Woodstock and Monterey Pop.
Members:... read more

It's truly a shame that when most people think of the best bands of all time, they forget these guys. They started the California scene and defined the hippie movement along with Janis Joplin and others.
Plus, whenever I look up the best singers from the '60s, Marty Balin never shows up. He was absolutely fantastic, as well as Grace, of course. Very underrated. They have more songs than Somebody to Love and White Rabbit, guys.

Grace Barnett Slick's career spanned all or parts of four decades, most notably with the bands Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and Starship. She started with The Great Society and also had stints as a solo performer.
The Yardbirds

The Yardbirds are an English rock band formed in London in 1963. The band launched the careers of three of rock's most famous guitarists: Eric Clapton (1963-1965), Jeff Beck (1965-1966), and Jimmy Page (1966-1968), all of whom ranked in the top five of Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest... read more

Really good memories about this band - exceptional musicians!
The first lead guitarist of The Yardbirds was Anthony "Top" Topham. He left the band before they achieved mainstream popularity and was replaced by Eric Clapton, the first of three lead guitarists from the Yardbirds to gain an international reputation (the other two being Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page).

They had this one other guitarist before Beck and Page. What was his name again? They always used his nickname "God," so I forgot his real name.
The Mothers of Invention

The Mothers of Invention were an American rock band from California. Formed in 1964, their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. The band was led by Frank Zappa, who was its primary composer and creative force.

Frank Zappa is so underappreciated for what he did for the world of music. It's a shame.
The Hollies

The Hollies are a British pop/rock group best known for their pioneering and distinctive three-part vocal harmony style. They were formed in the early 1960s and became prominent with hits like Bus Stop, He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, and The Air That I Breathe. The band was inducted into the Rock and... read more

Ok, I've always loved the Beatles, but no band tops the vocals and harmonizing of The Hollies. Well, The Association is pretty good too. Still, The Hollies outrank both.
I know I'm rambling on, but I'm serious! Love this band! And it's super cool that they are still together!

They deserved more recognition than what they got. They were one of the first bands that had to compete with The Beatles.

Top power-pop songsters - great drummer, lead guitarist, and then there were those quite incredible harmonies.
The Four Seasons

The Four Seasons is an American vocal group formed in 1960, known for its distinctive harmonies and the falsetto voice of lead singer Frankie Valli. The band rose to fame in the 1960s with a series of hit singles, including "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," and "Walk Like a Man." They became one of the... read more

Historically, The Four Seasons have been a very underrated group, considering their massive appeal, huge record sales, and airplay, especially during their heyday in the 1960s and '70s.
Thanks to the mega-hit Broadway musical "Jersey Boys," their music and influence on other popular bands have been reassessed, and their music has been rediscovered by a new generation of fans.
This group is certainly worthy of consideration in any top 10 list of the best bands of the 1960s and should at least be acknowledged for their popularity and success on the music charts during that decade.

These guys were great. They came from destitute families and were involved with the mob. Tommy and Nick had like 20 years in prison between them. Then they still managed to get three number-one hits, and they were the only group to have a number-one hit in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s! They have the quintessential rags-to-riches story.
They are four very underrated guys!
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. They are best known for their hit singles She's Not There, Tell Her No, and Time of the Season. The band's 1968 album Odessey and Oracle is widely regarded as... read more

Aside from The Beatles, this was the most musically innovative group of that era, and perhaps of all time. The Zombies are, without question, the most underappreciated group in the history of rock and roll.

If only they had achieved the success they needed when it counted. They could have gone on to even greater heights.

Time of the Season is one of the best records of all time. She's Not There is not far behind.
The Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. Ranging from quintet to septet, the band is known for its eclectic style, which fused elements of country, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, rock, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock. They're also known for... read more

Best band ever. I'm not a fan of their psychedelic drug music (and anyway, Jefferson Airplane did that better), but the sheer musicianship of the group has never been equaled.
Granted, no one can butcher their own songs like the Dead, but from folk rock to psychedelic, traditional mountain ballads to highly experimental improvisational jam pieces, no other American band better defines the sixties.

The first time I saw Jerry Garcia was at Carlmont High School, near S.F. He was leaning on a concrete wall and laughing. I asked, "Who is that guy?" The answer was, "He's a great guitar player!"
The next time, I was in a bar men's room just south of The City. He was standing next to me, doing what I was doing. He said, "Where are the chicks, man?"
The Bee Gees

The Bee Gees were a pop music group formed in 1958. The group consisted of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. They gained international fame for their distinctive harmonies and became major contributors to the disco era with hits like Stayin' Alive and Night Fever.

Best band ever! They did not write disco songs. The media turned them into disco. Their songs are timeless and will live forever! Such innovative music! The blend of the three voices is pure heaven, and each one also has a beautiful solo voice.

They should be in the top 20. Disco music killed this legendary band. They should have never done Stayin' Alive.

Robin has such a beautiful voice. They should be #1!