The 100 Most Important Albums of the Sixties

By Ed Manolio

The decade of the 1960's saw the birth of creativity and imagination in the music industry unlike any other decade in music history. One of the main reasons for this growth of new talent was the 33 1/3 long playing album which allowed artists to have 45 or so minutes to present their talents. This book defines the most important and influential albums of that era. Beginning with the Elvis and teen idol years thru the British Invasion period to the Motown sound and into the underground and counter-culture years of this decade, these albums tell the story of a momentous, controversial era that will never be forgotten in the annals of American music history. It was a turbulent, decade of revolution in politics, music and society which was reflected in albums from this decade. From rock to pop, from rhythm and blues to country, from folk to jazz and even original soundtracks, these albums represented the signs of the times. Many are milestone records and others unexpected gems all from some the greatest artists, many of which emerged in the sixties. Each pick is explored and reasons are given to why it was chosen to be one of the hundred. Celebrate the joy, the creativity, the education and sheer pleasure from the Top 100 Most Important Albums of the Sixties.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ed Manolio
• Release date: May 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005631963

Ed Manolio

I was born in New York City but lived most of my early life in Fort Lee, New Jersey. After my schooling was finished, eventually I re-located to East Atlantic Beach, New York where I currently reside with my lovely wife Odalys. While growing up our family always had a dog although the responsibility to care for them always fell on my parents shoulders. I became a dog lover and finally decided to take the plunge into ownership with my first Irish Setter. It was quite an experience, one I wouldn't change at all. It certainly taught me the full impact of having a pet.My interests include music and music history, playing tennis, gardening, all Boston professional sports teams and animal rights. My first book, Tails From Dublin is a sincere look back at our lives together written entirely from her perspective. We had some adventures together and the book details them from her eyes. My next book, soon to be published, will be on a unique look at recorded popular music history.

Book preview

THE 100 MOST IMPORTANT ALBUMS OF THE 1960’S !

By Ed Manolio

© Smashwords Edition 2021

Contents

Introduction…..2

About The Decade…..3

The 100…..4

The List…..5

The 100 Most Important Albums…..8

About the Author……203

INTRODUCTION

When Columbia Records first introduced the first vinyl album in 1948, it changed the 78 rpm (revolutions per minute) format to a 33 1/3 rpm format. It increased the amount of recording space available on each side of the disc. With the advent of 78rpm records in the early 1900s, the typical 10-inch disc could only held about three minutes of sound per side, now at a speed of 33 1⁄3 rpm each side of a 12-inch LP could play for about 22 minutes plus. It took quite a bit of time for these new vinyl discs to catch on. The record players did not offer that speed then so America had to invest in a new player that would offer that speed, as well as 45rpm for single song discs which made their first appearance a year later in 1949. Ten years after their introduction, the year 1958, only twenty-five percent of record sales were credited to 33 1/3 albums with the other seventy-five percent captured by 7-inch 45 rpm that allowed for six plus minutes side if rarely needed and were much less in cost. However by the end of the decade of the sixties, albums accounted for over half of recorded music sales. Eight track tapes, introduced in the mid-sixties, had a hand in making albums begin to dominate music sales in the United States.

At first, early albums usually contained one to three hit singles with the remaining space consisting of filler (songs that the artist or record company put on the album without out any artistic dedication or inspiration). During the early days classical music was the true benefactor of the 33 1/3 format as an entire symphony could be heard on one vinyl disc or tape. Mendelssohn’s Concerto in E Minor performed by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra was issued on the first album ever commercially sold.

A few years after the British music invasion, the album became more of an artistic tool for recording artists as popular music originality began to flourish. Gradually the use of the long playing album became an outlet for the more imaginative artists to showcase their talent and output. Led by The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and The Beach Boys concept albums (an album whose tracks hold a specific theme, a larger purpose or meaning collectively than they do individually) began to surface.

Another reason for the increasing popularity of the record album was the cover and sleeve. A great deal of imagination and creativity went into the album cover and it became a selling point on its own as you will see. The inside sleeve often contained the lyrics to the music and all the credits that went into the creation of the record.

The 1960s was the decade that the album came into its own as the musical force in recorded music and would remain so for the remainder of the decade which later on included cassette tapes and compact discs. Vinyl albums are the focus of this book and the discs chosen are the most important of the decade, many of which broke ground in creativity and format for the future. Several of these have lasted in importance to this day as we still hold them as sort of the musical wallpaper of our lives.

ABOUT THE DECADE

What adds to these albums mystic is the decade of the sixties itself. It was a time when so many different events happened in rapid fashion. The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley returned from a two year army stint and easily regained his spot on the top of the music charts. The most popular dance the crazy since the 1920’s – the Twist – took the country by storm. The first Catholic President of the United States was elected and three years later murdered. The Cuban missile crisis had the world on the brink of a nuclear World War 3. The Beatles landed in America and led the British music invasion while changing the both the music and fashion industry. The first Walmart store opened. The Civil Right Act became a law in 1964. The United States entered the Vietnam War which escalates as the decade progresses. Rolling Stone magazine publishes its first issue in 1967 with John Lennon on the cover. In the same year the Monterey Pop Festival takes place during the Summer of Love becoming the country’s first major outdoor rock festival, introducing a bevy of new important artists to the country. The first Super Bowl is played. The United States introduces zip codes. Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy are assassinated just months apart. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first two men to walk on the moon. The Boston Celtics win the National Basketball Association Championship incredibly every year except 1967.

There are too many major happenings that occurred during the sixties to mention here but rest assured, these albums painted a picture of the time in which they were released.

The decade began musically with Elvis Presley owning three of the top five 45s of the year. Are You Lonesome Tonight?, Stuck On You and It’s Now Or Never were joined by the Everly Brothers Cathy’s Clown and Percy Faith’s Theme From A Summer Place atop the year end singles charts.

Things were a bit different on the year end album charts. The Sound Of Music with the original cast held the top spot followed by The Button Down Mind Of Bob Newhart, a comedy album, the folk group the Kingston Trio’s live collection Sold Out, Frank Sinatra’s Nice N’ Easy’ and the instrumental Persuasive Percussion" from Enoch Light/Terry Snyder and The All Stars rounded out the top five. These was a retrospective of the fifties album themes. As the years passed by more effort and creativity was heard on the record album. Of course, advances in production, recording techniques and production added to the quality of recordings also. Besides the pop/rock genre the jazz artists really benefited from the LP. There is little doubt that the greatest pure jazz albums surfaced during this era. An artist’s creativity could expand due to the extra time each track on a 33rpm could offer as compared to the 78rpm.

By the middle of the sixties, vinyl record albums were a must for every major recording artists of each musical genre.

THE 100

The albums included in this book are judged by their importance according to the creativity, originality and effect on the entire music scene of the Sixties.

Greatest hit albums or best of albums were not considered, (almost every artist released one or two), because they were generally put together by the recording company and featured music that had already appeared on previous occasions.

There is no order or ranking because that is not what I wanted to offer here. These are simply put, the most important albums of an era when albums themselves became a significant form of entertainment in America. This collection led the way for many artists in the following decades to become more creative and imaginative with their music. Although many of the albums mentioned here rode high on the Billboard Magazine Top Albums of the Week charts (Billboard 200), that did not affect their inclusion here. Some of the 100 Most Important Albums of the Sixties were not as successful when they were initially released but through the years gained notoriety for their musical excellence and standing.

The List

Bookends-Simon And Garfunkel

Tommy-The Who

Revolver-The Beatles

Are You Experienced?-The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Led Zeppelin -Led Zeppelin

Nice N’ Easy-Frank Sinatra

Summer Days (And Summer Nights)-The Beach Boys

Beggars Banquet-The Rolling Stones

Everyone Knows This Is Nowhere-Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Magical Mystery Tour-The Beatles

Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music-Ray Charles

Odessey And Oracle-The Zombies

The Freewheeelin’ Bob Dylan-Bob Dylan

Presenting The Fabulous Ronettes-The Ronettes

Stand- Sly And The Family Stone

Songs Of Leonard Cohen-Leonard Cohen

Crosby, Stills & Nash-Crosby, Stills & Nash

Where Did Your Love Go?-The Supremes

All Summer Long-The Beach Boys

Chicago Transit Authority-Chicago Transit Authority

Rubber Soul-The Beatles

Whipped Cream And Other Delights-Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass

Bringing It All Back Home-Bob Dylan

Gentle On My Mind-Glen Campbell

The Doors-The Doors

Peter, Paul And Mary-Peter, Paul And Mary

At Folsom Prison-Johnny Cash…..56The Animals-The Animals

Help!-The Beatles

Runaround Sue-Dion

Led Zeppelin II-Led Zeppelin

Getz/Gilberto-Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto

Blonde On Blonde-Bob Dylan

Undercurrent-Bill Evans and Jim Hall

Lady Soul-Aretha Franklin

Dusty In Memphis-Dusty Springfield

Groovin’-The Young Rascals

Go-Dexter Gordon

Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show-Neil Diamond

September Of My Years-Frank Sinatra

The Band-The Band

Disreali Gears-Cream

Green River-Creedence Clearwater Revival

Meet The Beatles!-The Beatles

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme-Simon And Garfunkel

Mr. Tambourine Man-The Byrds

Elvis Is Back!-Elvis Presley

Odessa-The Bee Gees

Time Out-The Dave Brubeck Quartet

The Exciting Wilson Pickett-Wilson Pickett

More Of The Monkees-The Monkees

Eli And The Thirteenth Confession-Laura Nyro

The Beach Boys Today!-The Beach Boys

Astral Weeks-Van Morrison

Let It Bleed-The Rolling Stones

With A Lot O’ Soul-The Temptations

If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears-Mamas And Papas

The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society-The Kinks

Days Of Future Passed-The Moody Blues

Clouds-Joni Mitchell

Cheap Thrills-Big Brother And The Holding Company

The Who Sell Out-The Who

Santana-Santana

John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman-John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman

The Age Of Aquarius-The Fifth Dimension

Buffalo Springfield-The Buffalo Springfield

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band-The Beatles

A Date With The Everly Brothers-The Everly Brothers

Child Is Father To The Man-Blood Sweat & Tears

Sinatra At The Sands-Frank Sinatra

Live Adventures Of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper-Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper

Aftermath-The Rolling Stones

Procol Harum-Procol Harum

From Memphis To Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis-Elvis Presley

Completely Well-B. B. King

Surfer Girl-The Beach Boys

My Generation-The Who

We Shall Overcome-Pete Seeger

Reach Out-The Four Tops

Highway 61 Revisited-Bob Dylan

The Gilded Palace Of Sin-The Flying Burrito Brothers

Abbey Road-The Beatles

Showcase-Patsy Cline

Forever Changes-Love

A Love Supreme-John Coltrane

Blood Sweat & Tears-Blood Sweat And Tears

A Man And His Music-Frank Sinatra

Insight Out-The Association

Folk Singer-Muddy Waters

Pet Sounds-The Beach Boys

Sketches Of Spain-Miles Davis

The Velvet Underground And Nico-The Velvet Underground And Nico

St. Louis To Liverpool-Chuck Berry

Ain’t that Good News-Sam Cooke

Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina-The Left Banke

Yesterday And Today-The Beatles

Who Know Where The Time Goes-Judy Collins

Sunshine Superman-Donovan

The White Album-The Beatles

West Side Story Original Soundtrack-Various Artist

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BOOKENDS

Simon and Garfunkel

Columbia Records 1968

Producers: Art Garfunkel

Paul Simon - Bob Johnston

Roy Halee

Tracks:

Bookends Theme

Save The Life Of My Child

America

Overs

Voices Of Old People

Old Friends

Bookend Theme

Fakin’ It

Punky’s Dilemma

Mrs. Robinson

A Hazy Shade Of Winter

At The Zoo

Simon and Garfunkel’s fourth album observes the confusion of those seeking an elusive American Dream, wistfully reflecting on innocence lost forever to the cold winds of the upcoming change as the sixties spiraled towards a violent climax. Bookends opens with an acoustic guitar stating that theme, slowly and plaintively. It then erupts into the musical dissonance that introduces Save the Life of My Child. The tune promotes the need to find Democracy for a future generation of a young family. America follows perfectly with a couple’s long distance bus journey to freedom and their observations on the way. There is no solid connection between all the tracks on the album yet the flow of each makes for a smooth listening experience.

Overs, a study about the end of a relationship, contains producer Roy Halee's ingenious use of sound: lighting a cigarette and inhaling and exhaling its smoke underscore the story told by the melody and lyrics. Old Friends provides a look into two older men talking about their friendship while disembodied voices reveal entire lifetimes in a few seconds as Simon’s lyrics provide the thought process after much of life’s experiences. Fakin’ It is about someone who gives off the vibration of being prosperous yet knowing they have not been successful as heard in the line This feeling of fakin' it/I still haven't shaken it/I know I'm fakin' it/I'm not really makin' it.

A Hazy Shade Of Winter is a track that was recorded almost a year and a half prior to this album’s release and it became a huge hit for The Bangles twenty one years later

Mrs. Robinson, Simon and Garfunkel’s biggest hit, became the iconic theme song from the hugely successful film The Graduate. Its duel acoustic guitar sound was one of the first songs to rely on that sound mainly to become a folk pop hit. At The Zoo is a catchy, fun track that tops the album off on a high note.

Although the album was conceived in the late sixties, it still rings pertinent as most of us still feel a sense of longing for some distant time in our past when we believed everything was right. More importantly, the sophistication of Paul Simon’s melodies, his crystalline guitar playing, the way his voice blends with Art Garfunkel’s soothing vocals in pure, peerless harmony show that all these things have lost none of their listening power to time

.Simon & Garfunkel never overstate; instead they observe, almost journalistically, enormous life and cultural questions and in the process create a certain mood. In just over 29 minutes, Bookends is stunning in its vision of a bewildered America towards the end of a decade in search of itself composed by one of the great songwriters of the era.

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TOMMY

The Who

Decca Records 1969

Producers: Chris Stamp

Kit Lambert

Tracks

Overture

It’s A Boy

1921

Amazing Journey

Sparks

Eyesight To The Blind

Christmas

Cousin Kevin

The Acid Queen

Underture

Do You Think It’s Alright?

Fiddle About

Pinball Wizard

There’s A Doctor

Go To The Mirror

Tommy Can You Hear Me?

Smash The Mirror

Sensation

Miracle Cure

Sally Simpson

I’m Free

Welcome

Tommy’s Holiday Camp

We’re Not Gonna Take It

After The Beatles album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Band was released in 1967, the nature of album making changed forever. Certainly the Who’s ‘Tommy was one of the most challenging opuses to appear in its wake. No one knew what to make of a double album which was being billed as a Rock Opera. Peter Townshend had begun to germinate his concept a few years earlier on one of The Who’s tracks on their second album A Quick One. It featured a nine minute long track entitled A Quick One While He’s Away". It's really several songs with a central theme stitched together; you can hear some of the edits as the song transitions from one part to the next. In fact some critics regard the track as a mini rock opera in itself.

The full-blown rock opera about a deaf, dumb, and blind boy that launched the band to international superstardom was important for three main reasons. It established Townshend as one of the major rock composers of the day and also put The Who on the map as major recording and concert artists. It also helped expand the possibilities of what could be created in the name of rock album making. In this fantasy tale, the main character, because of his telepathic relationship with a pinball machine, (an extremely popular form of entertainment in the late sixties), causes him to become A Messiah for the New Age. Although it was an extremely wild concept, the album worked because of the strength of the music and The Who’s terrific concert performances of Tommy.

Both the Overture and Underture are very strong instrumentals mostly played by members of the band; include Entwistle's horns and some piano overdubbing by Townshend. Everything here mostly works, but some of the highlights include the seminal anthem Pinball Wizard, I'm Free, Amazing Journey/Sparks, and We're Not Going to Take It/See Me, Feel Me. The Acid Queen is a strong, pure rock tune featuring Townshend’s perfect vocals and features one of his most stunning compositions – a freighting ode to LSD phrased in seductive metaphors. Roger Daltrey grew from a flower-power icon to a