1960s Rock and Pop Music History

Vocabulary flashcards covering the bands, artists, songs, and cultural movements of the 1960s rock and pop scene.

Monterey Pop Festival

A pop festival held in California in 1967 regarded as one of the beginnings of "The Summer Love," where the Jimi Hendrix Experience made its U.S. debut.

The Kinks

The band that wrote and recorded the song "You Really Got Me."

Hamburg

The German city where the Beatles played early in their career.

Liverpool

The city that the Beatles were from.

Brian Epstein

The record store manager who became the manager of the Beatles.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

A song by the Beatles rumored to be about the drug LSD, although John Lennon denied it.

Sitar

The Indian instrument used in The Beatles song "Norwegian Wood."

Louie Louie

The song that The Kingsmen are most known for.

George Martin

The producer assigned to produce the Beatles when they first got signed to a record label, sometimes known as the 5th Beatle.

Brian Jones

The member of the Rolling Stones who left the band, later drowned in 1969, and is a member of "the 27 club."

Tape Loop

A piece of magnetic tape recorded and then cut and spliced to form a loop that continues to repeat the recording, creating an echo effect.

Tomorrow Never Knows

A Beatles song on their "Revolver" album which featured distorted vocals, tape loops, Indian-styled chords, and one of the first uses of reversed sound in a pop song.

Fuzztone or Distortion

A distorted sound effect achieved by cutting through the speaker cone of an amplifier or playing a tube amplifier at a much higher volume than it was intended.

Mersey beat

The characteristic musical sound of groups from Liverpool and Manchester.

Skiffle

Simple, folk-based music that developed out of African American folk music, country blues, and New Orleans Jazz, and was popular in cities like Liverpool and Manchester in the 50's and 60's.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

A Beatles album planned around a single theme that was influenced by the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds.

Eric Clapton

The original guitarist in the Yardbirds who later formed the band Cream.

Pete Townsend

The guitarist and principle songwriter for the band "The Who."

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

The group that Jimi Hendrix formed with Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell when he moved to London.

Mods

Youth in England associated with the band "The Who" that preferred modern pop music, trendy suits, and drove motor scooters.

Ringo Starr

The drummer for the Beatles.

Janis Joplin

Female Blues/Rock vocalist who performed at The Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 along with her band Big Brother and the Holding Company.

Woodstock

The 1969 concert at which Jimi Hendrix performed his version of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Ed Sullivan show

The program on which the Beatles made their American television debut in 1964.

What was it about the American social, political and musical situation in the early 60’s that made the country so ready for invasion by the British Bands?

America was experiencing social and political changes, including the civil rights movement and Vietnam War. Musically, people were ready for something new, and British bands brought a fresh sound influenced by American rock and roll.

Why was The Monterey International Pop Music Festival in 1967 an important set of concerts?

It introduced major artists like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Who to larger audiences. It also helped establish the importance of rock festivals.

Describe some differences between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

The Beatles generally had a more pop-oriented sound and focused on songwriting and experimentation. The Rolling Stones had a rougher, blues-based sound and a tougher rock-and-roll image.

Describe some of the reasons The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is considered an influential album.

It was influential because of its studio experimentation, creative sound effects, different instruments, and songs that flowed together like a musical experience.

Describe some of the reasons why Jimi Hendrix is considered an electric guitar innovator.

He used feedback, distortion, and effects in new ways. He also experimented with sounds and techniques that changed how electric guitar was played.