1960's Cultural Evolution

The 1960’s were a time of social and political evolution, but this thirst to change was not limited to such causes and spread to other cultural elements, most importantly music. The decade was a time for performers to experiment with new and exciting ways of making sounds and performing music. Ways that had never been seen or heard before. Artists who would never have been popularized a decade earlier were finding a following in the free spirited 1960’s culture. Artists like Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, and Led Zeppelin all took and borrowed from their contemporaries. For a through line, The Beatles will be used to highlight the prominent cultural and musical trends that were exhibited by themselves and other artists searching for a …show more content…
Focusing on pop and light rock tunes that were very well received by a younger generation. Their songs had a collective sound and resemble the larger sound of the late 50’s early 60’s. Just a few years later those same artists sound completely different as they were no longer motivated by money and stardom, but the need to create artistic visions. The Beatles are a prime example of this change in motivation. In the beginning of their career you hear them creating songs that are indistinguishable from the rest of the mainstream pop/rock movement. Songs like I Wanna Hold Your Hand or Twist and Shout are clearly The Beatles taking inspiration from the artists making music before them. Paul McCartney once said, “It's also not unusual for writers to look backward. Because that's your pool of resources.” It is what they built on top of this sound and technique that makes them truly inspirational and unique. Songs like A Day in the Life, Strawberry Fields Forever, or Helter Skelter would not have been made possible without those before them. They took the pop sound and saturated to its max. They decided that with whatever they did they would take it to a new …show more content…
This is seen with The Beatles after they stopped touring in 1966 and released Sgt. Pepper and the Lonely Hearts Club Band. With this album they created new personas that allowed them to dress, sing, and act however they wanted because they no longer wanted to be restricted by whatever their producers or the public thought The Beatles were or should be. This glam element is present in their album cover and promotional art for the Sgt. Pepper album which features the fab four in neon colored, military inspired suits. David Bowie is an performer who took this idea and ran with it. Bowie changed his style and sound almost every album allowing himself to explore whatever musical avenue he pleased. This eccohed the secually ambiguous times of late 1960’s, ideals cultivated during the summer of