5 Folk Rock Bands that Will Rock Your World
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If you’re looking for some new music to get into, check out these five folk rock bands that are sure to rock your world. From well-known groups like Mumford & Sons to lesser-known ones like The Paper Kites, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Introduction
Folk rock is a musical genre that combines elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and United Kingdom around the mid-1960s. The genre was pioneered by the American band the Byrds, who began playing folk-influenced material and Bob Dylan compositions with rock instrumentation, in a style considered to be the first fusion of the two genres.
The term “folk rock” was used in the United States to describe the music of bands such as the Byrds, and in the United Kingdom, it described bands such as Fairport Convention and later, Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci. By 1967, British folk rock had spawned a new generation of acts that included Copperhead, The Incredible String Band, Simon and Garfunkel, Buffalo Springfield, Judy Collins & Graham Nash (of The Hollies), while in the US acts such as The Lovin’ Spoonful and The Mamas & The Papas were at their commercial peak. These bands released works that displayed strong influence from traditional folk music, but also used pop forms (such as electrification) and borrowings from popular music.
The Byrds
The Byrds were a folk rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band rose to prominence with their cover of Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man”, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1965. The Byrds are considered one of the most influential bands of the 1960s and are credited with helping to pioneer thegenre of folk rock. The band’s signature sound featured close harmonies, jangly 12-string guitars, and the distinctive lead guitar playing of Roger McGuinn.
The Byrds released eight studio albums and several singles throughout their career, before disbanding in 1973. In 1987, the band reformed with three of the original members (McGuinn, Chris Hillman, and David Crosby) and released two more albums before disbanding again in 1990. In 2012, the Byrds were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Simon & Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They were one of the most popular groups of the 1960s and their biggest hits include “The Sound of Silence”, “Bridge over Troubled Water”, and “The Boxer”. The duo split up in 1970 but reunited several times since then, most recently in 2010.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
This folk rock supergroup came about when David Crosby of The Byrds, Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield, and Graham Nash of The Hollies got together in 1968. With the addition of Neil Young in 1969, they created some of the most iconic songs in rock history, including “Teach Your Children,” “Our House,” “Carry On,” and “Southern Cross.”
The Mamas & The Papas
The Mamas & The Papas were an American folk rock band that rose to prominence in the mid-1960s. The group was formed in 1965 by John Phillips, Denny Doherty, Cass Elliot, and Michelle Phillips. The band’s sound was a mix of traditional pop, folk, and rock, with their biggest hits including “California Dreamin'” and “Monday, Monday.” The Mamas & The Papas were one of the most successful bands of their era, selling over 40 million records worldwide.
