The Kinks were one of the most popular bands to come from the British invasion.  They were not as boldly innovative as the Beatles or as popular as the Rolling Stoned however, this North London group made their mark in music history.  In the earlier half of the decade, Ray Davies, Dave Davies, Pete Quaif, and Mick Avory formed the “Ravers” however, their name soon changed.  They say, “There’s nothing kinky about us, kinky is suck a fashionable word
that we knew people would remember.”  And so, their name, “The Kinks” stayed.  In 1964, the Kinks had great success with their single “You Really Got Me.”  Many of the Kink’s albums“Well Respected Man”, and “Dedicated Follower of Fashion”, were pop smashes and drove their career to the top and even got them inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Jimi Hendrix is not only a popular musician of the 1960’s, but also one of the most popular figures in Rock & Roll.  James Marshall Hendrix was born November 27, 1942.  Although he was unable to read music, he was inspired to play guitar by those such as B.B. King and Buddy Holly.  Hendrix’s unbelievable guitar skills were entirely self-taught. Jimi was a lefty so he learned to play by reversing the strings and playing the guitar upside-down.  In 1966, newly formed Jimi Hendrix Experience became popular in London.  The band’s album,

 “Are You Experienced”, was a psychedelic compilation of anthems of a generation such as, “Fire”, “Purple Haze”, and “Are You Experienced?”  Hendrix has created an amazing collection of songs over the course of his short career.  Unfortunately, on September 18, 1970, in London, we lost an irreplaceable music legend.  Jimi Hendrix was found dead that morning in  September due to a drug overdose.    
                               Bob Dylan has been a major influence on popular music.  His innovative poetry lyrics have sparked several genres including folk rock and country rock.  Robert Dylan was born May 24, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota.  He was inspired to write and play music by many such as Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, and Jesse Fuller.  Dylan has had over 40 albums in the course of his career including “Mr. Tambourine Man”, “My Back Pages”, “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”, “Like A Rolling Stone”, and
      and “Sad-eyed Lady of the Lowlands.”  He had explored many styles such as folk, rock, pop, blues, country, gospel, reggae, and even rap.  Dylan has even written songs for the Civil Rights Movement.  He sang “Blowin’ in the Wind” at the Civil Rights Rally-March on Washington in 1963.  Bob Dylan has always done opposite of what people expected.  Doing so, he has become an undisputed classic of rock & roll.
In the early 60’s, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met at a South London train station.  After talking, Jagger invited Richards to join him, and guitarist Dick Taylor, in an amateur band called “Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys.”  Later, Jagger, Richards, and Brian Jones created a new name, and the “Rolling Stones” were born.  Bassist, Dick Taylor, and drummer, Richard Chaplin, left the band.  Bill Wyman was recruited because he was an excellent bass player and he owned a van.  Charlie Watts soon joined and the Rolling Stones were complete.  They drove from show to show until
 they finally got discovered by future manager, Andrew Loog Oldham.  They were promoted as scruffy, long-haired dangerous-to-know bad boys, as opposed to the neat-suited Beatles.  Every 1960's parent's worst nightmare was for their daughter to marry a Rolling Stone.  By the end of 1963, the Stones' had two hit singles off the self-titled album.  The Rolling Stones have come out with many albums and today reside in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Byrds were one of the first American supergroups.  Consisting of Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, and Michael Clarke, the Byrds have made their mark in rock and roll and created a reputation for making music that changed the way people felt, looked at others, and themselves.  As the music changed, so did the Byrds.  Members came and went, but the focus remained on
their music.  They improved as the years went on however, their career only lasted a short time.  Within their short career, they have come out with many great songs such as "So You Want to be a Rock and Roll Star", and "Have You Seen Her Face."  The Byrd's title today remains in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Monkees were a four-piece band consisting of Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Mickey Dolenz.  Formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1965, the Monkees were on of the most popular acts of their time.  The quartet first appeared in an American television series titled, "The Monkees."  After the show was cancelled, critics complained that they were only a made-for-television knockoff of the Beatles.  However, John Lennon was a fan of the show.  The massive success of the record sales led to the touring of Nesmith, Dolenz, Jones, and Tork.  Wherever they went, they were greeted with
scenes of fan hysteria not seen since the Beatles.  The Monkees complained the producers would not let them play their own instruments.  However, this eventually forced the producers to let them have more participation on the records.  The band started making more and more contributions to the records and came out with many songs such as "Last Train to Clarksville", "I'm A Believer", and "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone."  Although they disbanded in 1970, millions still listen to their music today.
Aretha Franklin, who grew up in the 1950's, is one of the giants of soul music, and indeed of American pop as well.  She has epitomized soul at its most gospel charged.  Franklin's gospel roots ran extremely deep.  With her sisters, Carolyn and Erma, she sang in the Detroit church with her father, Reverend C.L.  Franklin.  At age 14, Artehta made her first recording as a gospel artist.  Throughout the first half of the 60's, Franklin recorded for
Columbia records, although, she never truly broke out as a star.  Aretha soon left Columbia for Atlantic Records.  Her first single was "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)."  In the late 1960's,  Franklin became one of the biggest international recordein artists in pop.  Her Atlantic albums were huge sellers including classics such as "Respect", "Chain of Fools", and "Baby I Love You." Aretha Franklin is an amazing vocalist who earned her title as "Lady Soul" and worked her way to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Doors were formed in 1965 by UCLA film students, Ray Manzarek, Jim Morrison, John Densmore, and Robby Krieger.  In 1966, the group signed to Elektra Records and released their self-titled, debut album in 1967.  The album, was a massive hit, and endures as one of the most exciting, groundbreaking records of the era.  The album blends blues, classical, eastern music, and pop into sinister, but beguiling melodies.  Morrison explored the first half of the 60's, Franklin recorded for depths of the darkest
and most thrilling aspects of the psychedelic experience.  The Doors have come out with many great hits such as "Light My Fire", "Break On Through", and "When the Music Stops."  In 1969, Jim Morrison was arrested for indecent exposure.  In 1971, Morrison died in Paris due to a drug overdose.  The other three members of the group had to continue without him, but ultimately disbanded.
    The Animals are one of the most important bands to come out of England's R&B scene in the early 60's.  The Animals consisted of Bryan Chandler, Alan Price, John Stoel, and Eric Burdon.  In May of 1965, Price left the band.  In 1967 the band was reformed with Barry Jenkins, John Weider, Danny McCulloch, and Vic Briggs.  In 1976 the original Animals reunited and came out with their album "Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted."  The Animals have come out with many singles such as "We've Gotta Get Out of This Place", and "House of the Rising Sun."
The Beatles have been one of the most influential bands of all time.  Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison are a truly amazing quartet.  They were among the few artists of any discipline that were simultaneously the best at what they did and the most popular at what they did.  With classic hits like "She Loves You", "I Wanna Hold Your Hand", and "Let It Be", the world and the music industry has fallen in love with them.  With their inspirational lyrics and music, this Liverpool-originated group has made their mark in music history.  Their supremacy as rock icons remains unchallenged to this day, decades after their breakup in 1970.

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