60s Folk Rock Music: The Best of the Decade

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

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

If you’re a fan of folk rock music from the 60s, then this blog post is for you! We’ll take a look at some of the best music from the decade and what made it so great.

The Best of the 60s Folk Rock Music Scene

The 1960s was a turbulent decade for the United States. The country was going through a lot of changes, and the music scene reflected that. The folk rock music scene was one of the most popular genres of the time. Artists like Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel were creating songs that spoke to the heart of America. Here are some of the best folk rock songs of the 60s.

The Most Influential 60s Folk Rock Bands

The 1960s saw the rise of folk rock, a genre that mixed traditional folk music with rock and roll. The result was a more polished and pop-friendly sound that became immensely popular with young people. While the genre would eventually fall out of favor, it left a lasting impression on popular music and has been highly influential in the development of other genres. Here are some of the most important and influential folk rock bands of the 1960s.

The Byrds
The Byrds were one of the first and most successful folk rock bands. Formed in Los Angeles in 1964, the band blended Bob Dylan-esque folk with British Invasion-style rock. The result was a sound that was both fresh and familiar, and it quickly caught on with audiences. The Byrds released a string of successful albums in the 1960s, including “Mr. Tambourine Man” (1965) and “Turn! Turn! Turn!” (1966).

Simon & Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel were another hugely successful folk rock duo. Formed in 1964, the duo found success with their 1967 album “Sounds of Silence”, which featured their signature sound: Simon’s melancholic lyrics set to Garfunkel’s soaring vocals backed by gentle acoustic guitar strumming. Simon & Garfunkel would go on to release several more successful albums before splitting up in 1970.

Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash were a supergroup formed in 1968 that brought together three of the most respected musicians in the folk rock scene: David Crosby of The Byrds, Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield, and Graham Nash of The Hollies. Together, they created a richly textured sound that blended harmonies, acoustic guitars, and electric instruments. Their debut album “Crosby, Stills & Nash” (1969) is considered by many to be one of the greatest albums ever made.

The Best 60s Folk Rock Albums

The 1960s was a turbulent decade for everyone, filled with social change, political upheaval, and cultural transformation. For the music industry, it was a time of experimentation and growth, as new genres and subgenres emerged and established artists pushed the boundaries of what was possible. Among the most popular genres of the decade was folk rock, which blended the traditional sounds of folk music with the energy and attitude of rock & roll.

Some of the most iconic and influential albums of the 60s were folk rock albums, including The Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, Bob Dylan’s “Bringing It All Back Home” and “Highway 61 Revisited”, The Byrds’ “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, and The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds”. These are just a few of the many excellent folk rock albums that were released in the 1960s; below, you’ll find a list of ten more essential records from the genre.

The Best 60s Folk Rock Songs

The 1960s were a turning point in music history, with the Beatles leading the British Invasion and folk rockers like Bob Dylan and the Byrds gaining popularity. These two genres combined to create some of the most memorable songs of the decade. Here are 10 of the best folk rock songs from the 1960s.

1. “The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan
2. “Mr. Tambourine Man” by The Byrds
3. “I’m a Believer” by The Monkees
4. “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by The Byrds
5. “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day
6. “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan
7. “Yesterday” by The Beatles
8. “Can’t Buy Me Love” by The Beatles
9.”A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles
10.”I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles

The Legacy of 60s Folk Rock Music

The legacy of 60s folk rock music is still alive and well today. Though the genre is often overshadowed by other, more popular genres of music, folk rock was hugely influential in shaping the sound and style of popular music for decades to come.

60s folk rock is characterized by its simple, catchy melodies and its focus on social and political themes. The genre was born out of the confluence of two different musical traditions: folk music and rock n’ roll. Folk music had long been a vehicle for political and social commentary, while rock n’ roll was the new kid on the block, bringing with it a sense of rebellion and defiance.

When these two genres collided in the early 60s, the result was a new kind of music that was both catchy and thought-provoking. Songs like Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” and The Byrds’ “Turn! Turn! Turn!” became instant classics, resonating with listeners of all ages.

Folk rock continued to be popular throughout the rest of the decade, with groups like Simon and Garfunkel, The Mamas and the Papas, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young all finding success with their own distinct takes on the genre.

Even today, the influence of 60s folk rock can still be felt in popular music. Many modern artists have been inspired by the sounds of this classic era, ensuring that its legacy will live on for many years to come.

The Influence of 60s Folk Rock Music on Today’s Scene

60s folk rock music was a genre that blended traditional folk music with elements of rock. The result was a sound that was both unique and timeless. Today, the influence of 60s folk rock can still be heard in the music of today’s top artists.

Some of the most popular 60s folk rock bands include The Byrds, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Mamas and the Papas. These groups helped to define the sound of the genre and paved the way for subsequent generations of artists.

The Byrds were one of the most influential bands of the 60s folk rock scene. Their signature sound blended jangly guitars with harmonies that were both sweet and ethereal. The result was a sound that was both immediately accessible and otherworldly. The Byrds’ greatest hits include “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!”

Simon and Garfunkel were another hugely successful 60s folk rock duo. Their music combined elements of folk, pop, and rock into a unique and captivating sound. Simon and Garfunkel’s most well-known songs include “The Sound of Silence” and “The Boxer.”

The Mamas and the Papas were another hugely successful 60s folk rock group. They are best known for their hit song “California Dreamin’,” which became an anthem for the counterculture movement of the time. The Mamas and the Papas’ other popular songs include “Monday, Monday” and “I Saw Her Again.”

Today, the influence of 60s folk rock can still be heard in the music of many contemporary artists. Some modern musicians who have been influenced by this genre include Fleet Foxes, Arcade Fire, and Mumford & Sons. These bands have helping to keep alive the spirit of 60s folk rock music while also adding their own unique spin to the sound.

The Best of the 60s Folk Rock Revival


The sixties were a time of great unrest and change in the United States. The country was embroiled in a divisive war, and social movements were challenging the status quo. In the midst of all this turmoil, a new type of music was born.

Folk rock combined the simple melodies and lyrics of folk music with the added elements of rock n’ roll. The result was a sound that was both nostalgic and new, and it quickly caught on with listeners of all ages.

The best of the 60s folk rock revival includes artists like Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, The Byrds, and The Mamas and the Papas. These artists took the genre in different directions, but they all helped to create something truly special that has stood the test of time.

The Best of the New Wave of 60s Folk Rock

The New Wave of 60s Folk Rock was a movement that brought the folk music of the 60s into the mainstream. Artists like Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Byrds were at the forefront of this movement, and their music has stood the test of time. Here are some of the best folk rock songs of the 60s.

The Future of 60s Folk Rock Music

As the 60s came to a close, so did the Summer of Love. With it, the optimism and idealism of that bygone era began to give way to feelings of disillusionment and anxiety. The future was uncertain, and music reflected this shift in mood. Where once there had been hope, now there was only darkness.

The future of 60s folk rock music was bleak. Many of the genre’s biggest names had either retired or died, and those that were still active were struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly changing musical landscape. The genre had lost its way, and it would take a radical new sound to bring it back from the brink.

Fortunately, that sound would come in the form of a new generation of folk rock artists who were unafraid to experiment with different styles and sounds. These artists would go on to create some of the most iconic and influential music of the 70s, 80s, and beyond. They would prove that 60s folk rock was more than just a phase; it was here to stay.

The Best of the 60s Folk Rock Scene: The Next Generation

The next generation of folk rock artists kept the music alive throughout the 60s and into the early 70s. Some of the most popular and influential musicians of all time emerged from this scene, and their songs continue to be enjoyed by fans around the world. FromBob Dylan to The Beatles, here are some of the best60s folk rock musicians and their greatest hits.

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