The 1960s was a time of revolutionary change. It saw political turmoil, social upheaval, civil rights marches, anti-war protests, the rise of feminism, and a rebellion against a host of social taboos and restrictions. They called it the Swinging Sixties because it was an era of cultural revolution. An era which saw an outburst of creativity and experimentation in social norms of interaction, education, sexuality, clothing, and the arts. But in North America and Europe the 60s were especially revolutionary in terms of popular music. In America, the blues-derived rock and roll genre evolved into a fully-fledged music form. The 1960s was the golden age of R&B, Tamla Motown and soul music. And British boys discovered American blues, rock and roll, and soul, and then made millions by mixing it all together and transforming it into an exciting new rock music. Even if you weren’t born in those times, chances are you still love the music from the 60s. But how much do you really know about the music from that tumultuous yet glorious decade? Find out with this quiz about the classic rock bands of the 60s.
In 1967, the Monterey Pop Festival helped to make Jimi Hendrix a major star in America. True or False? Jimi Hendrix was already by 1967 a major star in the UK, long before he became famous in the US.
Which band recorded the hit “Time of the Season” in 1968?
The Yardbirds were a highly influential English rock band that emerged in the 1960s. At various times three of the most important British rock guitarists of all time played in the Yardbirds. Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page were two of them. Who was the third
With hits like “My Generation,” and “I Can’t Explain,” this British band was praised as representing the voice of their generation.
What was the Beatles’ first film?
Psychedelic rock emerged from the American folk music scene. What was the title of the ground breaking psychedelic rock song that the Byrds released in 1966?
Which band recorded the psychedelic rock hit “Hole in My Shoe”?
The Animals were another successful British rock group which was part of the British invasion. What was their most famous hit?
Although rock and roll declined in popularity by the late 1950s, several rock and roll acts continued to have successful careers in the 1960s. Who had a hit with the 1960 song “It’s Now or Never”?
Rock’s first supergroup Cream were formed in 1966 and featured Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, and Eric Clapton. In 1967, they released a hit song based on Greek mythology. What was the title of this song?
What was Van Morrison’s most famous hit in 1967?
Which Beatles song, released in 1968, is regarded by some critics as the first heavy metal song?
Which popular San-Francisco-based band achieved fame with the song “Everyday People”?
What was the Beatles’ first number 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in the US in 1964?
Which band, formed in 1968 and later going onto worldwide success, was originally named the New Yardbirds?
In 1966, the Beach Boys, a band previously known as a surf band, released an innovative album which is nowadays regarded as one of rock’s first ‘concept’ albums. What was the title of the album?
Which rock band released “Waterloo Sunset” in 1967?
What was the title of Jimi Hendrix’s first hit record in Britain?
By the end of 1962, the British rock scene had started with beat groups like the Beatles. What was the Beatles first hit record?
Many of the great rock bands of the 60s played in a legendary music venue in central London. What was the name of this club?
Which song, by one of the most important bands of the 1960s, contains the lyric “carrying pictures of Chairman Mao”?
The Beatles famously appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. What other major British rock band also appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964?
In 1966, Bob Dylan went to the unlikely location of Nashville to record a rock album. It became one of the first ‘roots rock’ albums. What was the title of this album?
Which psychedelic band had a hit record with the song “White Rabbit”?
Although he’s regarded as a musical icon from the 1970s and 1980s, David Bowie did have a hit in the 1960s. What was the title of Bowie’s hit from the 1960s?
