1960s
1960 in British Music
The Beatles head to Hamburg, The Shadows rule, and a new decade of sound begins.
The Story of 1960
The decade turned, and British pop music began finding its own voice. Cliff Richard and the Shadows were now the undisputed kings of British pop, with 'Please Don't Tease' and 'Nine Times Out of Ten' keeping them at the top. But the Shadows' instrumentals were equally important – 'Apache', released in July, became a landmark record, its twanging guitar line and dramatic percussion inspiring every kid with a guitar. Meanwhile, Joe Meek was working in his tiny Holloway studio, experimenting with production techniques that would make him Britain's first great record producer. The trad jazz boom hit its commercial peak – Acker Bilk's 'Summer Set' and Kenny Ball's 'Midnight in Moscow' were everywhere, bafflingly popular with both teenagers and their parents. But the most significant developments were happening in provincial cities. In Liverpool, the Cavern Club was becoming the epicentre of a new sound. In Manchester, The Hollies were forming. In London, the Rolling Stones were beginning to coalesce around Brian Jones. The Sixties hadn't truly exploded yet, but the fuse was lit.
Key Events
The Beatles begin their Hamburg residencies — the crucible that forged them
The Shadows dominate with instrumental hits like 'Apache'
Roy Orbison's 'Only the Lonely' introduces the power ballad to British ears
Dominant Genres
Notable Trends
- →Beat groups replace skiffle groups in clubs and dance halls
- →Hamburg's Reeperbahn becomes an unlikely training ground for British bands
- →The Shadows make guitar instrumentals the dominant sound
Key Artists of 1960
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