Music In The 1960's

The 1960’s were arguably the most influential years in American music’s history. The music helped connect people of all races, whom enjoyed visiting jazz-clubs in the early to mid-60s, to listen to the music and poetry performed by African-Americans. Much of the music from the 1960s also led to the creation and popularization of new genres and subgenres, such as rock-and-roll. These new music styles influenced the lifestyles of a large majority of Americans, particularly teenagers and young-adults, who mimicked the lifestyles of many stars of the time.

Music as a whole blends together. One style leads to another, the music becomes more progressive. It evolves to fit the new generation, leaving the old generation behind. From the spritual songs of the late 1800s to the gospel of the early 1900s. Then it changed into rhythm and blues, and when the 1950s rolled around it became Rock’ n’ Roll. With the invention of new iconic instruments like the Fender Precision Bass and then the Fender Stratocaster, the sound of the music changed. The sound that was soft and low was now crunchy and loud. While it did not sit well with the adults, it was a hit among the new generation. Even the African American roots of the music didn’t deter the youth listening

The Sixties were an exciting revolutionary period of time with great social and technological change. Some people called it the “decade of discontent” because of the race riots in Detroit and La, and the demonstrations against the Vietnam War. Other people called it the decade of “peace, love, and harmony”. It was called this because of the peace movement and the emergence of the flower children. (Britannica) The sixties were about assassination, unforgettable fashion, new styles of music, civil rights, gay and women’s liberation, Vietnam, Neil Armstrong landing on the moon, peace marches, sexual freedom, drug experimentation, and Woodstock. All of these components caused a revolutionary change in the world of popular Music.

Teenage Rebellion is a major influence on the popularity of rock and roll in the 60’s. Society as a whole was well reserved and private about their personal and sexual lives. A struggling economy left most families spending the majority of income on basic living needs. Few households had disposable income.

The music of the sixties went through tremendous change. It shaped mush of the music we hear today. From New Orleans came Jazz, from the East Coast came rock, from the West Coast came Psychedelic rock, and from England came the Invasion.

For as long as mankind has walked on this earth, music has been an important part of our culture and lifestyles. Each walk of life beats to a different drum. Different cultures use music for many aspects of their lives; for religious purposes, for celebrations, for comfort, for sorrow, for relaxation, for sports, for dances, for energy, for learning, for sleeping, and for sexual experiences. Everyone uses music for something. Music connects with people and reaches them in ways that words simply cannot. Music is a representation of what feelings sound like. It expresses emotion and brings that characteristic out from within us; it tells us a story. Every generation has its’ own sound and different music styles have emerged and become

Music is a very powerful expression of emotions that come together as a whole to morph your psychological feelings into a sub-reality vision. Over the many years, history has been able to capture the moments at which music has made an impact on human lives. We can start with Manu Chao the artist that sings about left-wing messages and portrays his concerts as “collective therapy”. Or Juan Gabriel the young man that rose out of poverty to become the world’s most beloved artist/songwriter and whose music carried a resonate flamboyant style. Music is a way of communication that is used in many realms such as entertainment, tradition religion and sporting events. So far this semester, Chic 316 has influenced me to seek a more coherent relationship

The 1960’s were a time of great turmoil and change; people had many different ways to express themselves. Some did this through drugs, others through assassination, while some chose music. While there were many American musicians who were influential during the 1960s such as Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, and The Eagles, arguably none were as influential as The Beatles. Consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, helped change the face of popular culture of the 1960’s through their music, image, and influence on the counterculture of the time.

My topic is Music in the Sixties. In my essay I would like to determine that events that occurred during the 1960’s had a significant effect on some of the music that was produced. I believe that certain music and musical events derived from peoples feelings and views on things that occurred during the 60’s. Some of these events include the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, politics, and society as a whole. There were many different stereotypes and prejudices. There was war going on, and there were many people who were trying to focus on peace. My main goal is to show how these events may have influenced people’s music, and also to emphasize how music was used to unify people despite all of the negativity that

Music and the sounds that surround us have a way of affecting us before we even enter this world. David Burrows, a music teacher at New York University explains this concept by saying “An unborn child may startle in the womb at the sound of a door slamming shut. The rich, warm cacophony of the womb has been recorded: the mother’s heartbeat and breathing are among the earliest indicators babies have the existence of a world beyond their own skin.” (Storr). This is something a person never outgrows. Whether we intend on it happening or not, the sounds by which we are surrounded affect our mental patterns. Nevertheless, music has the ability to help us heal emotionally and combat our current mental state.

“In the 90’s groups such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam combined punk, fast electric guitar playing, and heavy metal.” This new style of music is known as grunge rock. Grunge started in the late 80’s but by the mid 90’s bands broke up or became less visible. Although these bands have faded, their music continues to affect modern rock music.

Many people did not understand the sound nor the fashion of the 80’s. Between 1980 and 1982 the US economy experienced a deep recession caused by the financial policy that was adopted by the Federal Reserve. The 80’s was a period of great income and a focus on wealth which reflected on music. Many iconic artists rose to fame during this decade, and their songs set the standard for what music should be and because of this they experienced a level of fame and success that hasn’t been seen since Elvis (1950) and The Beatles (1960). The popular genres in the 1980’s were Hip Hop, New Wave, Hair Metal, and Heavy Metal.

During the 1960s, rock music itself took United States by storm, because it affected many people, especially the young generation. It was a cultural phenomenon. One main reason for this phenomenon was radio and late night shows, such as Saturday Night Live. Those two entertainment factors helped promote rock music to basically everyone in the country, because back then radios and televisions brought everyone to together

Back in 1990’s there was a huge demand for the neon colors. By 1992 animal prints started to become very popular, including giraffe and tiger prints. Then in 1993 came a return of the bell bottom pants and platform shoes. 1994 was all about the grunge look for both men and women. Finally in 1997 baseball caps were being worn by everyone, even the children.

The roots of black music were from the church. You saw some of this in to kill a mockingbird the finch family as they went to the church and a linen was speaking the next line because African americans didn't have enough money