The Best Folk Music From the 60s

The 1960s were a great time for folk music. Some of the best musicians of the era were folk musicians, and they produced some truly classic songs. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best folk music from the 60s.

The Best Folk Music From the 60s

The 1960s was a decade of great change, and the music of the time reflect that. The folk music scene was no different, with artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez leading the way. If you’re a fan of folk music, then you need to check out these 10 essential tracks from the 1960s.

Joan Baez

Baez rose to prominence during the 1960s with her distinctive vocal style and wide-ranging repertoire, which encompassed folk, country, pop, soul, inspirational and contemporary songs. Although often referred to as a protest singer during the 1950s and 1960s, her more recent work has centered on spiritual themes and social justice. Throughout her career in music and activism, Baez has been an advocate for a wide variety of progressive causes.

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan was one of the most influential and prolific musicians of the 1960s. His songs reflected the social and political upheaval of the times, and his unique style of songwriting and performance set him apart from other folk musicians. Dylan’s impact on music was enormous, and his songs continue to be popular today.

Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel were one of the most successful folk-rock duos of the 1960s. They are best known for their hits “The Sound of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson,” and “The Boxer.” The duo’s sound was marked by Paul Simon’s intelligent lyrics and Art Garfunkel’s angelic tenor vocals. Simon and Garfunkel released five studio albums between 1964 and 1970, before breaking up in 1970. They reunited in 1981 for a successful world tour, but have not recorded together since 1993.

The Best Folk Music From the 60s

The 1960s were a time of great change, and the music reflect that. The folk music of the 60s was some of the best of the decade. It was protest music, love songs, and songs of hope. The best folk music from the 60s is still relevant today.

Joan Baez

Joan Baez was one of the most prominent folk musicians of the 1960s. Her popular renditions of traditional ballads and protest songs won her a large following among young people at the time. She is also known for her support of the civil rights and anti-war movements.

Bob Dylan

Often cited as the most influential musician of the 20th century, Bob Dylan is a singer-songwriter who first came to prominence in the early 1960s with his debut album, “Bob Dylan.” His songs, such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” became anthems of the anti-war and civil rights movements. In 1965, he released “Bringing It All Back Home,” which featured electric instruments on some tracks, drawing criticism from some folk purists but winning over a wider audience. His next two albums, “Highway 61 Revisited” and “Blonde on Blonde,” are considered among the greatest works in rock history. Dylan continued to explore different musical styles throughout his career, veering into country music with 1975’s “Blood on the Tracks” and gospel with 1979’s “Slow Train Coming.” In 2016, he released his 37th studio album, “Fallen Angels.”

Simon and Garfunkel

The duo of Simon and Garfunkel was one of the most successful folk-rock groups of the 1960s. The two had met as children in Forest Hills, Queens, and they began making music together while they were both in college. After a brief stint as a duo called Tom & Jerry, they began working under their own names, releasing their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., in 1964.

The album was not a success, but its lead single, “The Sound of Silence,” began to attract attention after it was picked up by a major record label and re-released. The song became a hit, and Simon and Garfunkel began to tour extensively. Over the next few years, they released several more successful albums, including Sounds of Silence (1966), Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966), Bookends (1968), and Bridge over Troubled Water (1970).

Simon and Garfunkel were hugely popular in the 1960s, thanks to their perfect blend of folk music and pop sensibilities. They continue to be revered by fans and critics alike; in 2010, Rolling Stone ranked them at #81 on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”