Who were the best band of the 1960s?

[Spion]

Fleetwood Mac anyone????

Just casting it out there.........

Their slow bluesy stuff from around '68 is superb. They went downhill soon after that tho

 

[killer b]

the mothers of invention.

or sly & the family

 

[HobgoblinMan]

No one's said Hendrix.

 

[Spion]

....and not enough people have mentioned the Beatles

'Catchy' tunes, v successful, but dull, IMO

 

[Spion]

The trouble with 'best bands' is it misses all the one trick ponies and the superb artistes who weren't 'bands' as such. I'd include a Chess Chicago blues all stars if I could - Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Magic Sam etc etc - all active well into the 60s

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I agree.

Scott Walker.

 

[butchersapron]

I agree.

Scott Walker.

I've always wanted to ask you, what meat was it? And why?

 

[andy2002]

Rolling Stones.
Velvet Underground.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I've always wanted to ask you, what meat was it? And why?

You mean on The Drift? If so, I don't know.

It's an album I've neglected really. I bought it as soon as it came out and I think I've only listened to it all the way through once. I might go and put it on now, in fact – I gave up far too easily.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Does Neil Young count?

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Agreed. I don't think there should be a doubt that they are number one. Had a career longer than most of the 60's bands, were hugely prolific, expanded their repertoire quickly, were innovative, set the benchmark and influence for many bands, and broke up before they got shit.

I just fear sometimes they come under the idea of familiarity breeds contempt schtick. How often do I listen to the Beatles thesedays??? Hardly ever, I've had my fix. But I still don't deny their greatness.

Remember in the space of less than 3 years they went from "I Want to Hold Your Hand" to "Tomorrow Never Knows". Pretty impressive if you look at it in that context.

IME the Beatles tend to engender two extreme reactions: 1. That they were The Greatest Band Ever, that no music now could possibly be as good, etc and 2. That they were terrible.

I think they were important, influential and creative, but nowhere near best band ever or even in that ballpark.

 

[butchersapron]

You mean on The Drift? If so, I don't know.

It's an album I've neglected really. I bought it as soon as it came out and I think I've only listened to it all the way through once. I might go and put it on now, in fact – I gave up far too easily.

I meant you signed the above post as Scott Walker. Even i didn't laugh as i made the joke.

 

[HobgoblinMan]

I've always wanted to ask you, what meat was it? And why?

Does this refer to him slapping a massive side of beef and recording it for his "Drift" album???

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I meant you signed the above post as Scott Walker. Even i didn't laugh as i made the joke.

Oh, I see.

It did read a bit strange.

 

[HobgoblinMan]

You mean on The Drift? If so, I don't know.

It's an album I've neglected really. I bought it as soon as it came out and I think I've only listened to it all the way through once. I might go and put it on now, in fact – I gave up far too easily.

Haha, I don't think anyone has made it all the way through that album. Me included.

 

[stavros]

The Impressions? I'm only really familiar with Curtis' solo stuff, but I can't imagine they were shite.

 

[El Jefe]

The Impressions? I'm only really familiar with Curtis' solo stuff, but I can't imagine they were shite.

they were very good, but probably not as good as the competition..

 

[atitlan]

Another vote for The Beatles. Although they weren't the most innovative band of the 60s, what they did was consistently absorb influences, incorporate them into their music and take the fanbase with them.

These days The Kinks are probably my favourite 60s band for the strength of songwriting. But as Hobgoblinman said, to go from "I Want to Hold Your Hand" to "Tomorrow Never Knows" in 3 years marks an incredible musical progression. Probably only matched by the Beach Boys going from "Little Deuce Coupe" to "Good Vibrations".

 

[El Jefe]

It's so hard to answer - i mean my two favourite sixties albums are Love's Forever Changes and Van Morrison's Astral Weeks, but I wouldn't consider them the best band of the 60s as a whole

 

[littlebabyjesus]

IME the Beatles tend to engender two extreme reactions: 1. That they were The Greatest Band Ever, that no music now could possibly be as good, etc and 2. That they were terrible.

I think they were important, influential and creative, but nowhere near best band ever or even in that ballpark.

The Beatles are held in much higher regard outside the UK, I think. I believe they were more or less the first band of their kind to spread to Latin America, for instance. When I was in hospital in Cuba, the doctor treating me told me with great delight about the banned Beatles albums he had listened to in secret as a student. They represent something to a lot of people, but I'm not quite sure what.

I've heard Beatles songs when I've been out and about much more outside the UK too. You just don't hear them here that much.

 

[audiotech]

No mention of The Who, so I will.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

No mention of The Who, so I will.

I'll go along with that but I love The Kinks and Yardbirds as well

and the few tracks that I've heard from The Zombies

 

[Santino]

Wings

Who's your favourite one out of Wings? Mine's Paul McCartney.

 

[Greenfish]

wtf?1 They're the band the Beatles could've been.

that would have to be The Best of The Beatles.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

I thought about them too. Some blinding tunes, but a bit of a one trick pony

So what? it's a better trick than anyone elses.

 

[El Jefe]

that would have to be The Best of The Beatles.

i think you missed the gag

 

[AnnaKarpik]

The Incredible String Band.

Unsurpassed. Still amazing after all these years.

 

[clandestino]

i think you missed the gag

No, that's Alan's next answer. So in fact, he's a gag ahead.

 

[El Jefe]

really? bugger

 

[clandestino]