The 5 Best 1960's Folk Music Groups

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

The 5 best 1960’s folk music groups according to Billboard magazine are The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul, and Mary, The Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Mamas & The Papas.

The Byrds

The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member. The Byrds are credited with helping to pioneer the genre of folk rock, and their signature sound blended elements of folk, country, jazz, and rock. The Byrds had a major impact on the American music scene in the 1960s, and their influence can still be felt today.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1964

The Byrds were formed in Los Angeles in 1964, and they are often cited as one of the most influential folk rock groups of the 1960s. The band was founded by Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, and Gene Clark, and they were later joined by Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke. The Byrds are best known for their hits “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season),” both of which were written by Bob Dylan.

Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style

The original five-piece lineup of the Byrds consisted of Jim McGuinn (lead guitar, vocals), Gene Clark (tambourine, vocals), David Crosby (rhythm guitar, vocals), Chris Hillman (bass guitar, vocals), and Michael Clarke (drums). However, this version of the band only lasted until early 1966, when Gene Clark left due to anxiety and creative differences. He was replaced by singer/songwriter Gram Parsons, who briefly breathed new life into the group before leaving under acrimonious circumstances in late 1968.

The Byrds continued to record and tour with a rotating cast of musicians throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, achieving their highest commercial success with the 1973 album Untitled/Byrds and single “So You Want to Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star”. The band eventually disbanded in 1974, but reformed in 1975 with singer/guitarist Clarence White among others. This incarnation of the group lasted until White’s death in 1986; following his passing, Byrdmaniax members Kevin Kelley and John Jorgenson formed The Flying Burrito Brothers with pedal steel guitarist Sneaky Pete Kleinow.

Members included Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, and Chris Hillman

The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (aka Jim McGuinn) being the sole consistent member, until the group disbanded in 1973. Although they only managed to attain the huge commercial success of contemporaries like the Beach Boys and the Mamas & the Papas for a short period in the mid-1960s, The Byrds are today considered by critics to be nearly as influential as those groups. Their signature blend of clear harmony singing and McGuinn’s jangly twelve-string Rickenbacker guitar was immediately absorbed into the vocabulary of popular music and has been extremely influential on subsequent generations of musicians.

The original five-piece lineup of The Byrds consisted of vocalist/guitarist Roger McGuinn, vocalist/guitarist David Crosby, bassist Chris Hillman, drummer Michael Clarke, and keyboardist/vocalist Gene Clark. However, this configuration only lasted for two albums – 2015’s Mr. Tambourine Man and 1966’s Turn! Turn! Turn! – as creative tensions began to mount between members due to differences in musical direction. These tensions culminated in Gene Clark’s departure from the band in early 1966, which was soon followed by Michael Clarke’s dismissal due to drug-related issues.

With two key members now gone from the group, The Byrds recruited singer/songwriter Gram Parsons to take Gene Clark’s place, although he would only last for a few months before quitting (or being fired from) the band himself. Nevertheless, Parsons’ time with The Byrds – which coincided with the recording of 1967’s Younger Than Yesterday – would prove to be highly influential; his country-rock leanings would help to shape The Byrds’ sound for the rest of their career.

Simon and Garfunkel

Formed in New York City in 1964

Simon and Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They were one of the most popular recording artists of the 1960s and became countercultural icons of the decade’s social revolution. They are well known for their hits “The Sound of Silence”, “Mrs. Robinson”, “The Boxer”, and “Bridge over Troubled Water”.

Known for their harmonies and folk-rock sound

Simon and Garfunkel are an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They formed in 1957 in New York City. Their first record, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., was released in October 1964 and sold poorly.

The pair met as children in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, in 1953 while both were attending Queens College. By 1957 they had begun performing together as Tom & Jerry, appearing six times on American Bandstand between 1957 and 1961; they also recorded an album, Hey Schoolgirl, as Tom & Jerry for Big Records in 1957 which was not released until 1995.

Members included Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They formed the group Tom & Jerry in 1957 and had their first success with the single “Hey, Schoolgirl”. As Simon and Garfunkel, the duo rose to fame in 1965, backed by the hit single “The Sound of Silence”. Their music was featured in the soundtrack of the 1967 film The Graduate, giving them further exposure.

The duo’s final studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water, was released in early 1970 and is often seen as their magnum opus. By mutual agreement, they disbanded after its release. Simon began a successful solo career, earning several Grammys for his work during the 1980s. Garfunkel also had success as a solo artist and achieved several hit singles, especially in the 1980s.

The Mamas and the Papas

Formed in Los Angeles in 1965

The Mamas and the Papas were formed in Los Angeles in 1965. The group was composed of John Phillips, Denny Doherty, Cass Elliot, and Michelle philips. The group was originally a folk music group, but they eventually moved into the pop genre. The Mamas and the Papas are best known for their hit song “California Dreamin’.”

Known for their close harmonies and pop sound

The Mamas and the Papas were an American folk rock vocal group who rose to prominence in the mid-1960s. The group was composed of John Phillips, Denny Doherty, Cass Elliot, and Michelle Phillips (née Gilliam). They released a total of five studio albums and seventeen singles over a four-year period, six of which made the Billboard top ten. The band members separated acrimoniously in 1968, with John Phillips and Michelle Phillips going on to form The New Journeymen.

Members included John Phillips, Denny Doherty, and Mama Cass Elliot

The Mamas and the Papas were an American folk rock band that rose to prominence in the mid-1960s. The group was composed of John Phillips, Denny Doherty, Mama Cass Elliot, and Michelle Phillips. They released five studio albums between 1966 and 1971, six singles of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including “California Dreamin'” and “Monday, Monday”. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 for their contributions to the music industry.

The Mamas and the Papas were one of the most popular folk rock groups of the 1960s. They are best known for their hit songs “California Dreamin'” and “Monday, Monday”. The group was composed of John Phillips, Denny Doherty, Mama Cass Elliot, and Michelle Phillips. They released five studio albums between 1966 and 1971. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Formed in Los Angeles in 1968

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young was a folk rock supergroup made up of American singer-songwriters David Crosby and Stephen Stills, and Briton Graham Nash. Later joined by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young, they were known as one of the most popular and influential folk rock groups of the 1960s. The group released four studio albums and a live album before disbanding in 1974.

Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) was formed in 1968 when Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) was formed in 1968 when Crosby, a former member of the Byrds, met up with Stills, who had played with Buffalo Springfield; and Nash, a Hollies member. The trio’s first album Crosby, Stills & Nash was released in May 1969 and became an instant hit peaking at #6 on Billboard’s pop album chart. A month later, the group performed at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair.

In 1970, Young joined CSN after leaving his former band Buffalo Springfield. The quartet’s first album Déjà Vu was released that year peaking at #1 on Billboard’s pop album chart. The album included the hit singles “Teach Your Children” and “Woodstock”. CSN&Y continued to tour heavily throughout the early 1970s releasing two more studio albums Four Way Street (1971) and So Far (1974) before disbanding in 1974.

The group reunited briefly in 1977 for the tour to support CSN’s self-titled debut album; however, tensions between Young and his bandmates led to his departure from the group once again. CSN would continue to tour and release albums throughout the 1980s and ’90s without Young. In 20002 nad 2006 they were inducted into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame respectively; while CSNY were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for “Woodstock” in 2009.

Known for their folk-rock sound

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young is a folk rock supergroup made up of American singer-songwriters David Crosby and Stephen Stills, and English singer-songwriter Graham Nash. English singer-songwriter Neil Young often collaborates with the group. They are known for their intricate vocal harmonies, often tumultuous interpersonal relationships, political activism, and lasting influence on American music and culture.

The group formed in 1968 and has released eight studio albums. Their 1970 album Déjà Vu topped the charts in the United States and Canada; it features the vocal harmony track “Teach Your Children”, which hit the top 40 in the US singles chart. CSNY’s 1974 album So Far garnered four Grammy Awards; two of their singles, “Our House” from Déjà Vu and “Wooden Ships” from So Far, peaked in the US top 10. In 1999, Rolling Stone ranked them number 45 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Members included David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young was a folk music supergroup that formed in the late 1960s. The group’s members included David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young. The four musicians were all well-known solo artists in their own right and had achieved significant success with their respective groups before coming together to form Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

The group’s debut album, Crosby, Stills & Nash, was released in 1969 and was an instant success. The album topped the charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom and would go on to be certified 4x platinum by the RIAA. The group’s follow-up album, Déjà Vu, was released in 1970 and featured the hit song “Teach Your Children.” The album was another commercial success, topping the charts in both the US and UK.

Crosby, Stills & Nash would go on to release two more studio albums as a trio before adding Neil Young to the group for their fourth album, 4 Way Street. 4 Way Street was a double album that featured live recordings from the group’s 1971 tour. The album was yet another critical and commercial success, reaching #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Following 4 Way Street, Crosby, Stills & Nash released two more studio albums before disbanding in 1974. The group would briefly reunite in 1977 for a tour but would not release any new music until 1988 when they released American Dream. American Dream became the group’s highest-charting album in over 15 years, reaching #4 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Since reuniting in 1988, Crosby Stills & Nash have released five more studio albums and continue to tour regularly.

The Eagles

From Linda Ronstadt to the Byrds, the Eagles, and James Taylor, the 1960s folk music scene was filled with talented musicians. The Eagles, in particular, were one of the most successful groups of the decade. With hits like “Take It Easy” and “Hotel California,” the Eagles brought a unique sound to the folk music genre.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1971

The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971. The founding members were Glenn Frey (guitars, vocals), Don Henley (drums, vocals),Bernie Leadon (guitars, vocals) and Randy Meisner (bass guitar, vocals). With five number-one singles, six Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, and six number one albums, the Eagles were one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s. At the end of the 20th century, two of their albums, Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) and Hotel California, were ranked among the 20 best-selling albums in the United States according to the Recording Industry Association of America.

The Eagles began in early 1971, when Linda Ronstadt and her then-manager John Boylan recruited local musicians Glenn Frey and Don Henley for her band. Working part-time as henchmen for her and also as fledgling songwriters in their own right, Frey and Henley formed a strong partnership writing for Ronstadt’s third album titled Dont Look Back released in August of that year. To round out Ronstadt’s sound both agreed to also sing backup vocals on each other’s songs which would prove to be an fortuitous decision. Although originally signed to Amos Records Amos trustee David Geffen re-signed them to his own label Asylum Records after he took control later that year. When Bottomless Pit guitarist Bernie Leadon came on board a month later it completed what would become one of music’s most enduring bands.

The Eagles rose to fame following the release of their second album Desperado in 1973. Under the guidance of producer Glyn Johns they developed a more country rock oriented sound on their next album On The Border which was released later that year.. In 1974 they released their most successful album to date titled One Of These Nights which produced three top ten singles including “Lyin’ Eyes” & “Take It To The Limit”. The following year saw continued success with their fifth studio album titled Hotel California which would prove to be their magnum opus selling over 32 million copies worldwide & spawning two number one singles “New Kid In Town” & the title track “Hotel California”.

Despite success both critically & commercially tensions began to surface within the band which came to a head during a strenuous tour promoting their live album titled Hell Freezes Over which saw them reunited with former bassist Meisner who had left shortly after the release of Hotel California.. These tensions would result in legal wrangling & acrimonious public exchanges between former band mates Henley & Frey lasting well into the 2000s.

Known for their country-rock sound

The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971. The founding members were Glenn Frey (guitars, vocals), Don Henley (drums, vocals), Bernie Leadon (guitars, vocals) and Randy Meisner (bass, vocals). With five number-one singles and six Grammy Awards, the Eagles were one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s. At the end of the 20th century, two of their albums—Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) and Hotel California—ranked among the 20 best-selling albums in the United States according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Hotel California is ranked 37th in Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” and was ranked third in Classic Rock’s “The 100 Greatest British Albums”.

The Eagles are considered to be one of the most influential bands of all time. They have sold more than 150 million albums worldwide, won six Grammy Awards, had five No. 1 singles, 17 Top 40 singles and three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. They were inducted into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2016 and are members of the National Recording Registry as well as recipients of The Les Paul Innovation Award.

Members included Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Bernie Leadon

The Eagles were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner.With five number-one singles, six Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, and six number one albums, the Eagles were one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s. At the end of the 20th century, two of their albums – Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) and Hotel California – were ranked among the 20 best-selling albums in the United States according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Hotel California is ranked 37th in Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” and the band was ranked number 75 on the magazine’s 2004 list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

The 5 Best 1960’s Folk Music Groups