The best five bands of the 1960s
# 1 THE BEATLES
There are no surprises here. I look at people who don’t understand the greatness of The Beatles with disdain. Ignorance is not bliss, it is just ignorance. And not understanding the greatness and importance of The Beatles’ music is certainly ignorance.
Where to start? The 1968 self-titled double album (known as The white album) is the best Beatles album in my opinion. 30 tracks covering almost every music style imaginable. That being said, it may not be the best album to start with if you’re new to the band. Maybe 1969 Abbey Road (the last album they recorded) would be a better entry point as it is more fluid and has the most “modern” sound of any of their albums.
Regardless of where you start with the greatest band of all time, the important thing is that you achieve the following albums: Hard Day’s Night, Help !, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour, The White Album, Abbey Road, and Let it be. You should also make sure you get Past Masters Vol. 2 as it includes many of the best Beatles singles that were never included on any album. If that’s not enough for you, get the rest of his stuff too. Somehow everything is great, even things that are not so good (like 1964 Beatles for sale for example, which includes great songs like “I’ll Follow the Sun” that you can’t get anywhere else).
# 2 THE ROLLING STONES
I’m not too surprised here either, although it took me a lot longer to make this selection as a lot of The Stones ‘best work is actually from the’ 70s and there’s a lot of competition. Albums like Let it bleed it still stands today among the best rock n roll albums of all time.
# 3 THE WHO
Like the Stones, a lot of their best work came in the 1970s, but with that said, I think they form the ‘holy trinity’ of the great British rock bands of the 1960s alongside The Beatles and The Stones, so they should be included in # 3. Tommy It’s sometimes maligned these days, but it really is quite an album. And many of The Who’s singles are extremely good. Also, I don’t think any band has surpassed them when it comes to live performances.
# 4 THE CHILDREN OF THE BEACH
Pet sounds it is probably alone enough to get them this position, but they also recorded many extremely memorable songs that are not included on that album, the best of which is the incredible “Good Vibrations”.
# 5 THE EXPERIENCE OF JIMI HENDRIX
They recorded only three albums but each of them was excellent. What I recommend the most is their final album: the 1968 double album. Electric ladyland which is a true psychedelic masterpiece.