Folk Music Musicians You Need to Know

Folk music has been around for centuries, and there are countless folk musicians out there who are keeping the tradition alive. If you’re a fan of folk music, then you need to know about these five musicians.

The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group, whose best-known line-up comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, are regarded as the most influential band of all time. With a sound rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, the group were a pioneer of pop music in the early 1960s. Their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964 watched by a record-breaking 73 million people marked the beginning of the “British Invasion” of the United States.

Origins

The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960. With members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band in history. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, their sound incorporated elements of classical music and traditional pop music, as well as experimental recording techniques such as multimedia collage, amplified feedback, tape loops and reversed recordings. In 1963, their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania”; as the group’s music grew in sophistication following their initial burst of commercial success, led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, the band were integral to pop music’s evolution into an art form and to the development of the counterculture of the 1960s.

The Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over a three-year period from 1960, with Starr joining them as their final member in 1962. Manager Brian Epstein moulded them into a professional act, and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings expanding their domestic success after their breakthrough to the top of the UK charts with “Love Me Do” in late 1962. They acquired the nickname “the Fab Four” after Beatlemania was sparked with “From Me To You” early in 1963. With hit singles such as “She Loves You” (1963), “Can’t Buy Me Love” (1964) and “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964), accompanied byitemaining popularity on radio via many live performances on The Ed Sullivan Show throughout 1964–1966; the Beatles became international stars leading to mass hysteria.

After touring extensively throughout 1963–1966 including performance engagements in several countries that they had not previously visited such as the United States Satisfied with that accomplishment but struggling with exhaustion from incessant touring Lennon quit the band for five months at home to write songs for what would become The Beatles’ double album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). He later declared it was releases like these that made him want to stop touring: “We got fed up being soldiers all day long marching around…We wanted some freedom.” The album was a groundbreaking achievement exhibiting contemporary pop sensibilities while also tackles social commentary(“With a Little Help From My Friends”, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”) psychedelia(“Within You Without You”, being critical of drug culture(“A Day In The Life”)) – issues that were still largely taboo among mainstream entertainment at large – thereby exerting a profound impact upon Western culture during its release; this is reflected by its recognition when inducted into several Grammy Hall of Fame lists including those for Album of The Year (in 1998) Classic Album (in 2006), Recording(in 2012).

Influence

The Beatles were one of the most influential bands of the 20th century. They popularized a new kind of music, rock and roll, which revolutionized popular culture. The Beatles were also highly influential in fashion, movie making, and social change. They are one of the bestselling recording artists of all time, with over 800 million records sold worldwide.

Discography

Below is a list of the LPs The Beatles released during their time together. Please note that this discography is not intended to be exhaustive; it is a guide to the band’s major musical releases.

-Please Please Me (1963)
-With the Beatles (1963)
-A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
-Beatles for Sale (1964)
-Help! (1965)
-Rubber Soul (1965)
-Revolver (1966)
-Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
-Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
-The Beatles (1968) – also known as the “White Album”
-Yellow Submarine (1969) – an animated film with new songs written specifically for the movie
-Abbey Road (1969) – considered by many to be The Beatles’ final album, although Let It Be was actually recorded before Abbey Road but released afterwards due to production delays
-Let It Be (1970) – The Beatles’ final album, released posthumously after the band had broken up

Simon & Garfunkel

Simon & Garfunkel are an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They formed in 1964 in New York City. Their music is characterized by Simon’s often wry lyrics and Garfunkel’s close harmony vocals.

Origins

Simon & 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 taste of success with the minor hit “Hey Schoolgirl”. As Tom & Jerry, the duo released four singles, including “Our Story” and “That’s My Desire”, before Simon opted to go solo temporarily. In 1963, the duo reunited and began performing as Simon & Garfunkel. Their performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival attracted the attention of Columbia Records, which agreed to release their next album, Sounds of Silence.

The album was a commercial success, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s pop albums chart; it included three hit singles: “The Sound of Silence”, “I Am a Rock”, and “Leaves That Are Green”. Their next album, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966), was also a commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the pop chart and spawning two hit singles: “Homeward Bound” and “The Dangling Conversation”. The duo’s final studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water (1970), was one of the biggest hits of their career, becoming their only No. 1 album on the pop chart and spawning several hit singles, including its title song—which topped both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Britain’s Official Singles Chart—and “(Bridge Over) Troubled Water”, which won five Grammy Awards.”

Influence

Simon & Garfunkel were one of the most successful folk-rock duos of all time. Their music was characterized by Paul Simon’s clear, often fragile, tenor, and Art Garfunkel’s deep, angelic voice. The two grew up together in Queens, New York, and first found success as part of the folk scene in the early 1960s. Their first album together, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., was released in 1964 and featured their signature song “The Sound of Silence.” The duo went on to release a string of successful albums throughout the 1960s, including Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966), Bookends (1968), and Bridge over Troubled Water (1970). They also produced several hit singles, including “The Boxer” (1969) and “Bridge over Troubled Water” (1970).

The duo’s popularity waned in the 1970s, but they reunited in 1982 for a highly successful concert tour. They also released a new album, Hearts and Bones (1983), which Failed to find the same level of success as their earlier work. Simon & Garfunkel’s final album together was Old Friends: Live on Stage (2004). The duo were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Discography

Simon & Garfunkel released seven studio albums, one live album, and one greatest hits album during their time as a duo. Here is a complete list of their albums:

-Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. (1964)
-Sounds of Silence (1966)
-Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966)
-Bookends (1968)
-Bridge over Troubled Water (1970)
-Greatest Hits (1972)
-Live in Central Park (1981)

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

While their first album was released over 50 years ago, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s musical legacy continues to this day. The folk rock supergroup is made up of four talented musicians: David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and have received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Grammy Awards and the American Music Awards.

Origins

The group Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young was formed in 1968 by singer-songwriters David Crosby and Stephen Stills, and drummer Denny Seiwell. The group added singer-songwriter Graham Nash later that year. The quartet’s first album, Crosby, Stills & Nash, was released in May of 1969 and featured the hits “Marrakesh Express” and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.” Young played on the album but was not yet an official member of the group. CSNY’s follow-up album, Déjà Vu, was released in early 1970 and featured the hit single “Teach Your Children.” Seiwell left the group before the album’s release and was replaced by drummer Greg Reeves.

Influence

CSNY were hugely influential in the development of folk rock and country rock, helping to pioneer a hybrid style that would come to dominate the American music scene in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The group’s four members had all achieved success as solo artists before coming together, and their combined talents resulted in some of the most iconic songs of the era. “Love the One You’re With,” “Ohio,” “Teach Your Children,” and “Southern Cross” are just a few of the classic tracks that CSNY helped to define.

Discography

Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) is a vocal folk rock supergroup made up of American singer-songwriters David Crosby and Stephen Stills, and English singer-songwriter Graham Nash. Originally formed in 1969, the trio released their self-titled debut album in May of that year, which peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200 chart and became an instant hit with its lead single “Marrakesh Express”. The album was certified four times platinum by the RIAA for sales of over 4 million copies in the United States.

In 1974, CSN released their second album, Déjà Vu, which contained the singles “Teach Your Children” and “Our House”. The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified six times platinum by the RIAA for sales of over 6 million copies in the United States. CSN’s third album, 1976’s sparsely-produced CSNY 1974, was a live recording of their 1974 reunion tour and peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The group has released eight studio albums and three live albums since its formation. In 2010, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.