15 Lost Sounds Of The Sixties Rock Revolution
The 1960s birthed some of the most legendary rock musicians, but not all enjoyed long-term fame. Some of them made a splash with one or two hits before vanishing into obscurity. Here, we revisit 15 such forgotten rock artists and bands from the golden era of music.
The Remains
The Remains were on the brink of stardom. They even opened for the Beatles on their 1966 U.S. tour. Despite this exposure, they never achieved mainstream success and dissolved shortly after. The band’s raw style in their sound remains an untapped potential of the past for rock historians and musicians alike.
The Music Machine
Led by Sean Bonniwell, The Music Machine could not sustain the band’s early fame. Their 1966 hit “Talk Talk” showcased a proto-punk edge ahead of time. However, internal disputes and a lack of proper promotion hindered their rise and left them as one-hit wonders of the psychedelic rock scene.
The Electric Prunes
Revolutionary creations marked The Electric Prunes’ brief career. Their 1966 hit “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)” was a psychedelic anthem. Their audience dwindled as their sound grew more experimental. By the early 1970s, the band had all but disappeared from rock music.
The Blues Magoos
Dressed in electric blue suits, the Blues Magoos personified the psychedelic movement. Their track “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” climbed the charts in 1966. Yet, changing musical trends and unsuccessful follow-ups led to their quiet exit from the industry within a few short years.
The Chocolate Watchband
The Chocolate Watchband was one of the rawest garage-psych acts of the 1960s, combining snarling vocals with distorted guitars. Unfortunately, their record label mismanaged their career and even replaced their records with studio musicians. Even with all of this potential, they never saw major fame and soon dropped off the radar.
The Human Beinz
The Ohio-based band, The Human Beinz, struck gold with “Nobody But Me” in 1967. They seemed destined for a great career, but their later releases failed to resonate. The band quietly faded away, leaving behind a song still celebrated for its rapid-fire lyrics and infectious energy.
Chris Montez
Chris Montez’s early hit “Let’s Dance,” released in 1962, began his career in rock & roll and then moved on to pop standards and Latin music styles. His shift to these softer styles didn’t retain his original rock appeal. Toward the early 80s, his recording career ended, though he still performs as a musician to foreign audiences.
The Count Five
Few rock songs from local bands are as iconic as “Psychotic Reaction” of 1966. Despite this success, Count Five disbanded soon after. They were young, and their members chose college over a shaky future in rock, which cemented their place in music history as a one-hit wonder.
Barry McGuire
“Eve of Destruction” (1965) was Barry McGuire’s biggest hit, a protest song that resonated deeply. He soon shifted from being a folk-rock artist to Christian music and distracted himself from the music he was famous for. While his voice still carried power, his presence in popular music waned drastically.
P.F. Sloan
A brilliant songwriter behind numerous hits, P.F. Sloan, struggled to establish himself as a solo artist. Although he penned classics like “Secret Agent Man,” his personal musical aspirations never took off. The industry’s changing tides left him overshadowed by the artists whom he helped propel to fame.
Bobby Fuller
Bobby Fuller became a rising star with his song “I Fought the Law.” His promising career ended abruptly in 1966 when he was found dead under mysterious circumstances. His life story and his tragic end have inspired many documentaries and books written about him that preserve his legacy.
The Outsiders
“Time Won’t Let Me” was a defining hit for The Outsiders in 1966. The band was originally called Tom Kind and The Starfires. Though they had a few minor follow-ups, none matched the success of their debut single. Internal changes and shifting musical trends ensured that they eventually faded into obscurity.
The Syndicate Of Sound
A catchy garage rock anthem, “Little Girl” (1966), brought brief fame to The Syndicate of Sound. The energetic nature of their sound failed to produce another hit. Without consistent hits, the band disbanded in the year 1970, leaving only echoes of their one shining moment.
The Knickerbockers
The Knickerbockers’ song “Lies” from 1965 was so Beatles-esque that many mistook it for another hit track by the Fab Four. Even with this, this garage rock band could not secure lasting success. A lack of consistent hits ensured their fall into relative obscurity in the industry.
The Cryan’ Shames
While they were popular in Chicago, The Cryan’ Shames never expanded beyond regional fame. Their harmonies and melodies showed promise, but they could not break through to the mainstream music industry. They remain a footnote in rock history and are remembered mostly by local fans.