The Best of 1960s Music: Instrumental Hits

The best of 1960s instrumental music included a wide range of styles. This blog post looks at some of the most popular instrumental songs from the 1960s.

Introduction

1960s instrumental music was some of the most creative and ground-breaking of any era. In this period, rock, jazz, Latin, and classical music all began to coalesce and fuse into new and exciting genres. Some of the most famous and influential musicians of all time rose to prominence during this decade.

Instrumental hits from the 1960s spanned a wide range of styles and genres. Jazz legends like Miles Davis and John Coltrane pushed the boundaries of their art form with groundbreakingalbums like “Kind of Blue” and “A Love Supreme.” Rock bands like The Beatles and The Beach Boys created a new sound that would dominate popular music for decades to come. Latin musicians like Tito Puente and Carlos Santana brought a new level of excitement to their genre with infectious rhythms and virtuosic performances.

The 1960s was a decade of musical innovation and change. These instrumental hits were at the forefront of that change, paving the way for the sounds of today.

The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. With a line-up comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they are commonly regarded as the most influential band of all time. The group were integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and popular music’s recognition as an art form. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, their sound incorporated elements of classical music and traditional pop in innovative ways; the band later explored music styles ranging from ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock. As pioneers in recording, songwriting and artistic presentation, the Beatles revolutionised many aspects of the music industry and were often publicised as leaders of the era’s youth and cultural movements.

During their early years, the Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg. Following their debut album Please Please Me in 1963, they achieved widespread popularity in the United Kingdom. In 1964, they toured America for the first time receiving considerable hysteria from young female fans nicknamed “Beatlemaniacs”. Despite adverse reaction from elements of the US music establishment, particularly DJ Alan Freed who promotes rock ‘n’ roll but is reviled by many for his apparent corruption (he is investigated by Congress for allegedly taking kickbacks from record companies), the Beatles enjoy a triumphant reception on The Ed Sullivan Show which becomes one of television’s most-watched programmes with over 73 million viewers—a record for American network television that still stands today. After returning to Britain, they topped both national singles and albums charts with a series of releases including “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, “She Loves You” and “I Feel Fine”.

The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group’s original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. The Beach Boys began as a garage band led by Brian Wilson, who jointly wrote their hits with cousin Mike Love. By the mid-’60s they were the most popular American band of their time and the best-selling American group ever, with hits like “Surfin’ USA,” “Fun Fun Fun,” “I Get Around,” “California Girls,” and “Good Vibrations.” Wilson’s original creative partner was his lyricist cousin Mike Love. The Beach Boys were one of the first rock bands to be truly international in their appeal; by 1966 they had achieved significant commercial success in Britain and Japan as well as in their native US. In terms of sales, they remain one of the most successful bands of all time.

Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They achieved commercial and critical success in the 1960s with hits such as “The Sound of Silence”, “Mrs. Robinson”, “The Boxer”, and “Bridge over Troubled Water”. Their initial release, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., sold poorly, leading them to be dropped from their label, Columbia Records.

The Doors

By the end of the 1960s, The Doors had become one of the most popular and influential rock bands of their generation. Formed in Los Angeles in 1965, the band was led by singer/songwriter Jim Morrison, and also featured keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. The Doors combined elements of rock, blues, jazz, and classical music to create a unique and controversial sound that defied easy categorization. They released eight studio albums between 1967 and 1971, including their self-titled debut album, which included the hits “Light My Fire” and “Break on Through (To the Other Side).” The band’s chaotic live performances often descended into violence and chaos, which only added to their legend. Morrison died in 1971 at the age of 27, but The Doors continued to record and perform with a variety of different singers before ultimately disbanding in 1973. They have since been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Grio Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jimi Hendrix

Few artists have managed to create such a lasting and unique musical legacy as Jimi Hendrix. His innovative style of playing combined with his incredible showmanship made him one of the most influential guitarists of all time. Though he only released four studio albums during his lifetime, his raw talent and vision have inspired generations of musicians.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. The band’s heavy, guitar-driven sound, rooted in blues and psychedelia on their early albums, has earned them recognition as one of the progenitors of heavy metal, though their unique style drew from a wide variety of influences, including folk music.

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin was an American singer-songwriter who became one of the most successful and widely known rock stars of her era. After releasing two albums with her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and appearing at the Monterey Pop Festival, she embarked on a solo career with her backing band, the Kozmic Blues Band. Joplin released four studio albums and one live album before her untimely death at the age of 27 from a heroin overdose. She was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

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 unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, modal jazz, reggae, experimental music, psychedelia, and space rock.

The Grateful Dead’s Estimated Prophet was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2010, The Grateful Dead was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for their Contributions to American culture. Rolling Stone placed them #57 on their list of “The Greatest Artists of All Time”.

Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young were an American rock band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The group was composed of singer-songwriters David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young. All four members had previously been successful as solo artists and members of other bands.

Conclusion

The 1960s was a decade of great change, and the music from that era reflects that. With new genres like rock and roll and soul, as well as established genres like jazz and country, there was something for everyone in the 1960s. And while the vocalists from that era are certainly remembered, the instrumentalists from the 1960s are often forgotten.

Instrumental hits from the 1960s include classics like “The Rite of Spring” by Igor Stravinsky, “A Day in the Life” by The Beatles, and “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly. While these songs may not be as well-known as their vocal counterparts, they are still essential listening for any fan of 1960s music.

So if you’re looking to take a trip down memory lane, or if you’re just curious about what kind of instrumental hits were popular in the 1960s, this list is for you.