From the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to the Temptations and the Beach Boys, these bands symbolized the rapid social and cultural changes that defined the '60s.
The 1960s was a time of major cultural shifts. Civil rights, anti-Vietnam War protests, sexual liberation, the rise of youth identity, and the counterculture movement all represented a larger change in cultural values — a sharp move away from the clean-cut image of the 1950s. And the effect could be heard just as much as it was seen.
From the Beatles to Led Zeppelin, 1960s bands offered the perfect soundtrack for changing times. Genres blurred and emerged, while some of the biggest bands of the decade not only reflected the ethos of the era but also propelled it forward.
Check out our gallery below to see how culture changed throughout the ’60s — and how the music changed with it:
Brown exploded in popularity in the 1960s thanks to hit songs like "I Got You (I Feel Good)." Public Domain
The rock band from Pomona, California, formed in 1964 when Frank Zappa (back center) joined an R&B group called the Soul Giants.
The band was incredibly experimental and known for their satirical lyrics. Their music blurred genres like jazz, doo-wop, blues, and progressive rock.Dutch National Archives
The band was formed in 1962 by Allan Clarke and Graham Nash. Nash left the band in 1968 to co-found Crosby, Stills & Nash. Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix/Alamy Stock Photo
Their sound blended funk, soul, psychedelic rock, gospel, jazz, and R&B in hit songs like "Everyday People" and "Dance to the Music." Public Domain
Founded in 1964 by Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon, the Who blasted to fame with early singles like "My Generation" and "I Can't Explain," igniting the mod scene with guitar destruction and feedback-heavy riffs. Photo 12/Alamy Stock Photo
They scored hits like "Surf City" — the first surf song to top the Billboard Hot 100 — "Dead Man's Curve," and "Little Old Lady (from Pasadena)."
In 1966, Berry's near-fatal car crash halted their rise and effectively ended their mainstream chart success. Smith Archive/Alamy Stock Photo
One of the Yardbirds' guitarists, Jimmy Page, would eventually go on to form Led Zeppelin. Famous guitarists Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck also featured in the band. Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo
The band's debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King, is often hailed as the first true prog-rock masterpiece. Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix/Alamy Stock Photo
Steppenwolf rocketed to fame in 1968 thanks to biker-anthem hits like "Born to Be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride." Public Domain
The Band is pictured here performing in Hamburg in May 1971.Heinrich Klaffs/Wikimedia Commons
Eric Burdon, Alan Price, Chas Chandler, Hilton Valentine, and John Steel are pictured here in a 1964 publicity photo. Richard William Laws/Wikimedia Commons
Although the band itself was only around for two years, from 1966 to 1968, their innovative songwriting paved the way for the country-rock genre and helped launch the further success of Crosby, Stills & Nash, as well as Neil Young's solo career.Public Domain
The Canadian-American folk-rock band was formed in 1964 by John Sebastian, Zal Yanovsky, Joe Butler, and Steve Boone. They are best known for the songs "Do You Believe in Magic," "Daydream," and "Summer in the City," with seven consecutive Top 10 singles. Public Domain
The folk rock group was active from 1965 to 1968 and reunited briefly in 1971. Composed of John Phillips, his wife Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty, and "Mama" Cass Elliot, the band helped establish the "sunshine pop" sound, though internal drama ranging from affairs to drug use ultimately caused them to break up. Public Domain
Billed as "Woodstock West," the event featured acts like Santana, Jefferson Airplane, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, among others.
The Hells Angels were infamously hired for security, resulting in one member, Alan Passaro, fatally stabbing an 18-year-old named Meredith Hunter during the Stones' set. Robert Altman/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
After Nico was introduced to Warhol in 1965, she joined his circle at The Factory. Warhol then insisted she front the Velvet Underground's debut album, which he produced. She sang the lead part on four tracks, then later parted ways with the band to launch her own solo career. Tim Boxer/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Originally named the Warlocks, the band's core members included Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, and later Mickey Hart.
Their sound fused rock, blues, folk, jazz, country, psychedelia, and epic live improvisations. Despite minimal chart success, the sheer number of "Deadheads" out in the wild is a testament to the profound cultural impact of the band. Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo
How British Bands Of The 1960s Brought A New Perspective To American Music
American music was forever changed in the early 1960s thanks to a phenomenon known as the British Invasion. Unlike the last time the British invaded North America, though, the English did not wield guns — they carried guitars.
The movement began in earnest with the arrival of the Beatles and their historic appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. The performance drew an estimated 73 million viewers and marked the beginning of "Beatlemania" in the United States.
For the American public, the arrival of the Beatles seemed to mark a new era of optimism — a refreshing change of pace in the wake of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. As music critic Lester Bangs wrote of the moment, per Billboard, "We needed a fling after the wake."
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty ImagesA fan of the Beatles rushing up to the band's car.
But the Beatles weren't the only British band of the 1960s that invaded American airwaves. The Rolling Stones brought a grittier, blues-influenced sound that was a direct contrast to the Beatles' pop sensibilities. The Kinks, meanwhile, contributed innovative songwriting and experimental production techniques, while bands like the Who and the Animals introduced raw energy and R&B influences that laid the groundwork for hard rock and punk.
The British wave succeeded where previous international acts had failed by offering something distinctly different yet familiar to American audiences. These groups had taken direct influence from American blues, rock and roll, and R&B acts like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Muddy Waters, then reinterpreted those sounds through a British lens. It was simultaneously revolutionary yet grounded in American musical traditions.
The impact of these 1960s bands extended beyond music, too. Fashion, in particular, was greatly influenced by the mop-tops and mod style of English musicians. The British Invasion also proved to the music industry that non-American acts could achieve massive commercial success in the U.S., which opened the door for foreign acts down the line to establish a base in America.
But if the non-Americans were bringing joy and energy to the States, it was up to the musicians back home to use their talent for a different purpose: social commentary and political activism.
The Rise Of Folk-Rock And Protest Music In 1960s Bands
Folk-rock became a decade-defining genre of 1960s bands. It was a perfect pairing to match the time, blending the traditional sounds and storytelling of folk music with the energetic electricity of rock and roll to challenge societal norms and call attention to political issues.
Bob Dylan, in particular, was pivotal to this development. His shift from acoustic folk to electric rock at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival was a watershed moment, despite initial controversy from folk purists.
"By today's standards, the volume wasn't particularly high, but in 1965 it was probably the loudest thing anyone in the audience had ever heard," wrote producer Joe Boyd, who helped with the sound mixing for the festival, in his memoir White Bicycles.
Public DomainFolk group Peter, Paul and Mary performing at the Civil Rights March on Washington in 1963.
"A buzz of shock and amazement ran through the crowd," continued Boyd. "When the song finished, there was a roar that contained many sounds. Certainly boos were included, but they weren't in a majority. There were shouts of delight and triumph and also of derision and outrage. The musicians didn't wait to interpret it, they just plunged straight into the second song."
Once the electric Dylan controversy had settled, though, it was clear that the sound would be around to stay. His songs became anthems for the civil rights movement and anti-war protests, while The Byrds helped popularize the folk-rock sound with their jangly 12-string guitars and harmonized vocals. Meanwhile, artists like Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and Phil Ochs carried forward the protest tradition of 1960s bands.
The genre was less about the musicians and more about the movements they represented. These folk-rock songs became rallying cries at marches, demonstrations, and counterculture gatherings. They offered solidarity and a means of organizing resistance, fueling the sort of generational rebellion that led to Woodstock.
It wasn't all protest and rebellion in the States, though. Among 1960s bands, another sound was emerging, thanks in part to a man named Berry Gordy and his label, Motown Records.
Soul, Motown, And The Empowerment Of Black Voices
In 1959, Berry Gordy founded Motown Records, a Detroit-based label that would go on to become the most successful Black-owned record label in history. The "Motown Sound" featured sophisticated production, memorable melodies, and polished performances that appealed to both Black and white audiences.
Artists like Diana Ross and The Supremes, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye became household names, breaking down racial barriers in popular music and proving that Black artists could achieve crossover success without compromising their identity. At the same time, the broader soul movement produced grittier, more emotionally raw music, with artists like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Sam Cooke combining gospel influences with secular themes that spoke to both personal and collective experiences.
Public DomainAretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul."
Franklin's "Respect" was especially resonant during a time when Black Americans and women were fighting daily for equal treatment, and the emergence of soul music coinciding with these larger social movements gave Black performers an outlet to highlight their experiences. Songs like Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" and Marvin Gaye's later "What's Going On" demonstrated this perfectly.
The success of soul and Motown among 1960s bands fundamentally changed the music industry's power dynamics, establishing Black artists as major commercial forces and cultural influencers. Like the British Invasion, it was a major wakeup call for the American music scene that audiences didn't just tolerate this music — they preferred it.
This was, ultimately, the prevailing theme of the music that 1960s bands made. Their songs captured the moment and propelled culture forward, which is why many of the era's musicians are still heralded as titans of the industry.
After this look back at the biggest bands of the 1960s, take a broader look at the 1960s through our gallery of 66 photos. Then, relive the disco era with our gallery of photos from the 1970s.
