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Guitarist, songwriter, actor Duane Eddy born Corning, New York in April 1938.

His instrumental hit records made famous the “Twangy” guitar sound which used the Sixth or bass string on his guitar to play the melody.

He had his first big hit in 1958 with “Rebel Rouser” which he wrote and recorded with Lee Hazelwood his producer.

He was one of the first pop artists to successfully crack the L.P.(long playing record) market. Other releases of the sixties include “Because their Young”, “Shazam”, "Theme From Dixie", “Pepe”, “Dance With the Guitar Man”, ”Twistin’ & Twangin’”, “Boss Guitar” and “Peter Gunn”.

Sixties Artists 3

Guitarists, vocalists, singer songwriters The Everly Brothers Don born 1937 in Kentucky. Phil born 1939 in Chicago.

Their country rock style using close vocal harmonies made them one of the most important rock n’ roll artists who have influenced many later performers. They’ve released over 50 albums and had numerous number one records which some have been gold.

Singles of the sixties include “Let It Be Me” , ”Cathy’s Clown”, ”When Will I Be Loved”, “Lucille”, “Walk Right Back”, “Temptation”, “Crying In The Rain”, “Price Of Love and “Love Is Strange”.

Formed in Birmingham, England as the Clifftones in 1963.

They changed their name to The Fortunes and released the single “Summertime, Summertime”.

Their second single “Caroline” was taken by the pirate radio station “Radio Caroline” as their theme tune. They had their two biggest hits in 1965 with “You’ve Got Your Troubles” and “Here It Comes Again.

Other singles of the sixties include “Come On Girl”, “Look Homeward Angel”, “This Golden Ring”, “You Gave Me Somebody To Love”, “Is It Really Worth Your While” and “Our Love Has Gone”.

They continued to have hits into the 1970’s.

The Four Seasons.

Formed in New Jersey they are

one of the most successful groups of the sixties who have continued into the later decades. With their Falsetto leads and tight harmonies and songs written and produced by their keyboard player Bob Gaudio and producer Bob Crewe.

They had three consecutive number one records in 1962 and early 1963 in the Billboard charts they were “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and ”Walk Like a Man”.

Other hits of the sixties include “Candy Girl”, “Dawn (Go Away)”, “Rag Doll” “Save It For Me”, “Let’s Hang On”, “Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry ‘bout Me)” and “Working My Way Back To You.

Vocal group The Four Tops were formed in the 1950’s as the Four Aims in Detroit Michigan.

They signed for Motown in 1963 and teamed up with the writing production team Holland, Dozier and Holland. They released "Baby I Need Your Loving”, “Ask the Lonely” and their third single

“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honeybunch)” reached number one in the Billboard Charts. Other records of the sixties include “It’s The Same Old Song”, “Standing in the Shadows of Love”,“Bernadette”, “7- Rooms of Gloom” and arguably the best sixties Motown song “Reach Out I’ll Be There”.

Born 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. Grammy award winner, Soul singer, Singer/Songwriter, pianist “The Queen of Soul”.

Aretha Franklin

At an early age Aretha and her sisters were singing gospel music at their father’s church. In the early sixties she released a number of recordings with little commercial success. She signed with Atlantic records and in 1967 she had a hit with "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" followed by the number one single “Respect”. Other records include "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", "Chain of Fools", "Think" and "I Say a Little Prayer".

Formed in Manchester, England in 1961.

Freddie and the Dreamers

Had their first hit with a cover of the James Ray R&B record “If You Gotta Make a Fool Of Somebody”. They

used comedy dance routines in their act and started a dance craze with their record “Do The Freddie”.

Other records of the sixties include “I’m Telling You Now”, “You Were Made For Me”, “Over You”, “I Love You Baby”, “I Understand”,

“A Little You” and “Thou

Shalt Not Steal”.

Marvin Pentz Gay Jnr. Born 2nd April 1939 In Washington D.C.

Marvin Gaye

Singer , songwriter, arranger, pianist, drummer he joined Tamla Motown in 1961 and had a hit the following year with the R&B record “Stubborn Kind of Fellow”.

This led to a succession of hit sixties singles including "Hitch Hike", "Pride and Joy”, "Can I Get a Witness" "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", "Ain't That Peculiar", "One More Heartache", "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" and the number one record "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"

In April, 1984 he died when he was shot by his father after an argument.

Formed in Liverpool as the Mars Bars in 1959.Changed to

Gerry & The Pacemakers

They were the second group to be managed by Brian Epstein who quickly secured them a recording contract.

They were the first act to have their first three released singles go to number one in the U.K. charts with “How Do You Do It”, “I Like It” and what later became the anthem for Liverpool Football Club “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.

Other singles included “ I'm The One”, “Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying”, “It's Gonna Be Alright”, “Ferry Cross The Mersey”, “I'll Be There” and “Walk Hand In Hand”.

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Cult band the Grateful Dead formed San Francisco in 1965 changed their name from The Warlocks.

Their fans the “Deadheads” would watch their long, innovative, wandering, improvised live concerts where some of the songs were recorded and used on their albums.

They released a number of unsuccessful singles in the sixties which Included "Stealin'", "The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)", "Viola Lee Blues", "Dark Star", "Dupree's Diamond Blues" and "China Cat Sunflower".