The 1960s

The 1960s

1. Teenage Culture

   • Hippie culture - flower power
   • Peace and love was celebrated
   • Endorsed drugs, rock music, mystic religions and sexual freedom.
   • Marijuana use soared and a well-known Harvard psychologist encouraged the use of LSD as a mind opening drug.
   • College campuses became scenes of debate and protest (Vietnam)
   • During this time the 3 day Woodstock festival took place.

2. Different genres of the time

   • British beat/Mersey beat
     • Flowering British pop groups.
     • Came to America as part of the first wave of the "British Invasion"
     • Typical guitar based rock band dominated by simple guitar line-ups, vocal harmonies and traditional pop song structure.
     • E.g: Beatles
   • 60s Soul
     • Soulful, lyrical melodies
     • Emphasis on rhythm with rhythmic comping on both piano and guitar parts alongside steady backbeats of percussion.
     • Around 120bpm
     • Large horn sections
     • Gospel influenced vocals
     • Often featured vocal call and response.
     • E.g: Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder

3. Technology and Production

   • Motown
     • An independent company set up in Detroit in the late 50s.
     • Songwriting is carried out by professional teams or individuals who wrote and recorded at least 5 times a week.
     • Singer was often chosen after the instrumental track was recorded.
     • After mixing songs were reviewed by quality control teams who chose which ones to release.
     • Artists were managed by the company and directed on how to act in interviews and music videos.
     • Produced stars such as Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.
   • Phil Spector Sound
     • Founded his own label Philles.
     • Produced hits with girl groups such as the Crystals and the Ronettes.
     • Known for his innovative methods of inserting orchestral instruments into rock songs.
   • The Wall of Sound
     • Used in pop and rock recordings.
     • Reverberant layering production technique created by Phil Spector.
     • Electric and acoustic guitarists performed same parts in unison and added musical arrangements for larger groups up to the size of an orchestra.
     • Sound was recorded using an echo chamber.