YouTube Flashbacks
Here is a rare video of Peter, Paul & Mary in 1969 singing Leaving on a Jet Plane with John Denver, who wrote the song.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDwBkg-8IFU Here they are singing Bob Dylan's Blowin' in the Wind in 1966. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld6fAO4idaI
This summer will mark the 45th anniversary of Woodstock. One of the best performances from that 3-day concert was Suite:Judy Blue Eyes by Crosby, Stills, and Nash. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-azgwfnZu7c
Speaking of Woodstock, remember Melanie? After her appearance at Woodstock, she wrote a song about that experience, Lay Down (Candles in the Rain). Here is a rare, live 1970 performance by Melanie with the Edwin Hawkins Singers on Dutch TV. www.youtube.com/watch
Two years before Woodstock there was the Monterey Pop Festival in California. Here is Simon & Garfunkel singing Homeward Bound. www.youtube.com/watch
__________________________________________________________________________
The Beatles
The Beatles were such a part of our growing up years. They are the greatest group of all time. On August 15th, 1965, they became the first group to ever use a stadium (Shea) for a rock concert. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5LL2xdSO_c
Here is a classic Beatles live performance of Get Back on a rooftop from the film Let It Be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en-liwDGzaw
Remember the summer of ’67, the summer of love? The Beatles performed All You Need Is Love for the world via satellite on June 25, 1967. Broadcast to 26 countries, over 400 million watched. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQdZ6A_tItM
I always thought In My Life was really a love song about the one true love in someone's life. Listen to the lyrics, "But of all these friends and lovers, there is no one compares with you." "In my life, I love you more." Here is a video of the Beatles that someone put together to go with my favorite Beatles song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zicw_dVwhfM
These two Beatles songs are special because they were the last two singles, from the spring of 1970 when the Beatles broke up and we were winding down our days at West. Both videos come from the movie Let It Be. The Long and Winding Road is not the one we heard on the radio, but the original without the orchestra (added later by Phil Spector).
Let it Be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HboLQccEv0
The Long and Winding Road https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6AuKENgmLQ
The Beatles are heard often today on classic rock radio stations. This '68 video of Revolution shows why. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gwz-pQei-4
The Beatles were just as popular in Japan as they were in the USA. Here they perform Nowhere Man in Tokyo in 1966. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l8QlhKz9fg
Frank Sinatra called Something "the greatest love song ever written". Here are the Beatles in a promotional video for the song, each shown with their current love at the time in 1969.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX92FJ-lwXI
Of all the Beatles #1 hits, Hey Jude was the biggest. It held the #1 spot on the charts for nine weeks in 1968 and sold eight million copies. Here is a live version from the Smothers Brothers Show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txcd4oFomfU
These four videos are from a Beatles concert at the Washington Coliseum, Washington, DC on February 11, 1964, just two days after their first appearance on Ed Sullivan.
I Saw Her Standing There https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sybI6FiuKjk&list=FL7fgtTMCcrVlC5_wCzZwi0w&index=1
All My Loving https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gafHZjHhDc&list=FL7fgtTMCcrVlC5_wCzZwi0w From Me To You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rALY69wNc28&list=FL7fgtTMCcrVlC5_wCzZwi0w Please Please Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNEBmdsB-MY&list=FL7fgtTMCcrVlC5_wCzZwi0w
Two months before they invaded the USA, the Beatles performed live on the BBC on December 7, 1963. Here they sing I Want to Hold Your Hand, Money, and Twist and Shout, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brwmLjD-3Hw&list=FL7fgtTMCcrVlC5_wCzZwi0w
__________________________________________________________________________
The 5th Dimension was a group that sounded just as good live as they did on record. Great harmonies that blended perfectly. Here they are singing one of their biggest, Stoned Soul Picnic.www.youtube.com/watch
You may not remember Laura Nyro, but her songs became big hits for other people. The 5th Dimension – Stoned Soul Picnic, Wedding Bell Blues. Blood, Sweat and Tears – And When I Die. Three Dog Night – Eli’s Coming. She was a one of a kind singer/songwriter. Here is a rare video of Laura performing Save the Country (another 5th Dimension hit) on January 15, 1969 on the Kraft Music Hall TV show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwn97weAxa0
Linda Ronstadt had her first hit in 1967 with Different Drum(written by Monkee Mike Nesmith). Here she sings it live with The Stone Poneys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yppt4brrXVc
When you talk about real classic rock, you have to include the Doors, led by Jim Morrison. Here they are performing Touch Me on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. www.youtube.com/watch
There were great love songs in our high school years, like Never My Love by The Association. Here is a live version on the Ed Sullivan Show.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nhQl7pyTbY&feature=BFa&list=PL8147D139EFED1FB9
Many people just call them CCR, a.k.a Creedence Clearwater Revival, one of the most popular groups from 1968-71. Here they perform Proud Mary at a concert in Oakland in January, 1970. www.youtube.com/watch
One of the best groups out of San Francisco in the '60s was Jefferson Airplane. Here they are at the Monterey Pop Festival in '67 performing Somebody to Love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD52IheUNdY
AM radio in the 60's included rock, soul, and pop like Glen Campbell. Here he is on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour doing a live version of his '68 hit Wichita Lineman. www.youtube.com/watch
Elvis Presley made a big comeback in 1969. This live version of Suspicious Minds comes from the Elvis concert film That's The Way It Is (1970). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb0Jmy-JYbA
This video is lip synched, not live, but the song is so good I had to list it here. One of the best duets of the '60s, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell singing Ain't No Mountain High Enough. www.youtube.com/watch
Motown always had hits in the Top Ten. Their most successful group in the '60s was Diana Ross & the Supremes. Here they sing Reflections in 1967.www.youtube.com/watch
They didn't have a lot of hits, but Buffalo Springfield, led by Stephen Stills, are best remembered for their signature song, For What It's Worth. Here they perform it live on the Smothers Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYYCiaHhnx4&feature=BFa&list=PL2AC4DDA4CD6BA747
In 1970 Joe Cocker had his first top ten hit with a very different cover version of The Letter, first done by the BoxTops in '67. Here he sings it on his 1970 Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour. www.youtube.com/watch
There were many one hit wonders during our senior year. Venus by Dutch group Shocking Blue was one of the biggest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJqh6au7Ol0
By the fall of 1969, Neil Diamond already had several hits. Here he sings Holly Holy on Music Scene.www.youtube.com/watch
Although The Hollies had several hits from 1966 to 1974, the one everyone remembers is the powerful and moving He Ain't Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother from early 1970. www.youtube.com/watch
You couldn't listen to AM radio in the '60s without hearing the Beach Boys sooner or later. Here they sing Help Me Rhonda live on the Andy Williams Show in 1965. www.youtube.com/watch
Here's another one hit wonder from 1970, The Brotherhood of Man singing United We Stand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZB96cvBjy8
You may not remember the group, Vanity Fare, but I'm sure you remember Hitchin'a Ride from 1970. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynrNT39QTkI
The Animals were part of the British Invasion in the mid 60's. Here they sing It's My Life on Hullabaloo. www.youtube.com/watch
The Silkie were a British folk group who had one hit in 1966 with a cover of You've Got to Hide Your Love Away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWY7X5Szc2c From the movie Help, here are the Beatles with the original version. www.youtube.com/watch
After the Mama's and Papa's broke up, Mama Cass Elliot had a solo career. Here she sings Make Your Own Kind of Music on the Hollywood Palace.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RhriAN7jME
The Rascals started out as the Young Rascals. Their first big hit was Good Lovin'. Here they sing it live in the studio in 1966.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa-FhzE2AAw
Everyone remembers Spanky and Our Gang. They had nice harmonies and several hits from 1967-68. Here they perform my favorite, I'd Like to Get to Know You, on Ed Sullivan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqxkdV3Odj0
In the 60's the Seekers were the first Australian group to have big hits in the U.S. and the UK. Here they sing I'll Never Find Another You. www.youtube.com/watch
Remember the We Five? No? I know you will remember their one big hit from 1965, You Were on My Mind, performed live on the Hollywood Palace. www.youtube.com/watch
Paul McCartney wrote Come and Get it for Badfinger. Some people said it sounded like a Beatles song. It was used in Ringo's first film, The Magic Christian. The song became Badfinger's first hit in 1970. www.youtube.com/watch
This video came from a PBS oldies special in 2001. It's Eddie Holman singing his big 1970 hit, Hey There Lonely Girl. He sounds the same as he did 40 years ago. www.youtube.com/watch
Playboy After Dark was a syndicated show that sometimes featured popular rock bands. Here is Deep Purple doing their big hit from the suimmer of '68, Hush.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ux8ae_OAPc
The Grassroots were a popular group throughout our high school years. Here they sing a medley of their hits. www.youtube.com/watch
The Friends of Distinction were compared to the 5th Dimension in their sound, which some called "hippie soul". Here they sing their biggest hit, Grazin' in the Grass.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUrkOwJoZ1o
Over the years, this song has become popular with fans singing it at sporting events when the home team is winning easily. It's Steam doing Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye. www.youtube.com/watch
Another one hit wonder from 1970. Edison Lighthouse and the catchy tune Love Grows. www.youtube.com/watch
This 1969 hit was big again in 1998 when it was used in the music video ending of the film There's Something About Mary. The Foundations sing their second hit, Build Me Up Buttercup. www.youtube.com/watch
For our generation, classic rock never sounds dated. The Who perform one of their early hits, My Generation on the Smothers Brothers. www.youtube.com/watch
Cream had a short life-span, but a big impact on rock music. Here they sing their big hit from the summer of '68, Sunshine of Your Love.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16h6vLy6n4A
In June of 1970, the Five Stairsteps sang about optimisim in the soul classic, O-o-h Child. www.youtube.com/watch
The Turtles had several hits from 1966 to 1969 but they will always be remembered for their #1 hit from our freshman year, Happy Together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIBnderyhFA
Here are two more songs from the great Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. The Mama's and Papa's perform their first hit California Dreamin'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndDK_1RJS7k&feature=fvst Simon and Garfunkel also sing their first hit, Sounds of Silence, which later that year became part of the soundtrack for The Graduate.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoh-00L7Yho
The 5th Dimension had a #1 hit with Wedding Bell Blues, written by the great Laura Nyro. It was very popular in the fall of 1969, except with guys named Bill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP0ZdZ3RS9A
In 1969 the group Smith had one big hit with a rockin' version of the old Shirelles hit Baby, It's You. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NCg6H5DOLc
Sly & the Family Stone were the best at playing funky soul. Here they are performing a medley of hits live in 1969 on the TV show Music Scene. www.youtube.com/watch
One of the truly great groups of the '60's was the Rascals. It was a time when lyrics were important. On the Ed Sullivan Show in 1967, they sing A Girl Like You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFOrFkXOLWk
Eve of Destruction was controversial in 1965. The song is still relevant today. Barry McGuire sings it live on Hullabaloo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwYNWYaS3bI
Here's another 60's song that is also relevant today, Joe South singing his biggest hit in 1969 Games People Play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzH7AyYGDks
A number of famous singers grew up in New Jersey. This video, Sounds Like New Jersey!, highlights those singers. Some of them we grew up listening to on the radio in the 60's. www.youtube.com/watch
The short-lived classic rock band, the Spencer Davis Group was formed by teenager Steve Winwood. In 1967 they had their two biggest hits, Gimme Some Lovin' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcxYX8KPhGkand I'm a Manhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_gFF-z9OS8
Here are two more great performances from Woodstock. Joe Cocker sang his own, unique version of the Beatles With a Little Help from my Friends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRzKUVjHkGk It would later become the theme song for the Wonder Years. Months before it became a hit single in early '70, Santana sang Evil Ways live.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPauXWjY4T8
The Buckinghams were a popular Chicago group with a British sounding name. They had five Top 20 hits in 1967, including Don't You Care (#6)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUIDgeqgPJs, and Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (#5)www.youtube.com/watch.
We were still in the 8th grade when the Righteous Brothers had a big "blue-eyed soul" hit with (You're My)Soul & Inspiration. Here they sing it live on Hullabaloo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I39nbvHVtzI
One of the most popular female singers of the 60's was Dusty Springfield. Here she sings one of her best, I Only Want to Be with You.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeKQMy3joDY
The Rolling Stones were called the "bad boys" of rock, but today they are considered classic rock. Here they perform Honky Tonk Women at Madison Square Garden in 1969. www.youtube.com/watch
As part of the British Invasion, Herman's Hermits were very popular from 1964 to 1967. Here they sing There's A Kind of Hush. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frTD7txjdds
In the summer of '69, Kenny Rodgers and the First Edition appeared on the Johnny Cash Show to sing their hit song about a Vietnam Vet returning home, Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town. www.youtube.com/watch
The 1968 assassination of Bobby Kennedy was the inspiration for the still very moving song, Abraham, Martin & John. Here Dion performs it live on the Smothers Brothers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FUQZd2VAQ0
While we were looking forward to our 8th grade graduation in 1966, one of the most popular love songs was A Groovy Kind of Love by the Mindbenders. Phil Collins covered it 20 years later. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddcIunulJi4
The Rascals had their last hit in the summer of '68 with a rocking social commentary, People Got to Be Free. www.youtube.com/watch
The Easybeats had a one-hit wonder in 1967, Friday on the Mind, a mantra for 9-5 workers.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1k2lir-zDw
San Francisco gave us several good groups in the 60's, like the Beau Brummels, here singing one of their hits, Laugh, Laugh on Shindig. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_GeYgT58d0
Vanilla Fudge took the Supremes hit You Keep Me Hangin' On and turned it into a Top 10 rock song in 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpynWGcgIOs
Paul Revere and the Raiders were regular lip-syncers on Where the Action Is. Here they perform their 1966 hit Kicks on Hullabaloo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2OBN1oCcSY
The Tremeloes were a British group with only two hits. One of them was a cover of the B-side of the Four Seasons hit Rag Doll. Here is their live version of Silence is Golden. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n03g8nsaBro
Those Were the Days has a lot more meaning for us now than it did in high school. Here Mary Hopkin sings her #1 hit live on Tom Jones in 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB64vAgIvig&list=FL7fgtTMCcrVlC5_wCzZwi0w
The Mighty Quinn was written by Bob Dylan but it was Manfred Mann that had a big hit with it in 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qoyWU_EDDU
When people first heard Lies in 1965, they thought it sounded like the Beatles. It was a one hit wonder by The Knickerbockers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n03a7cLf0M&list=FL7fgtTMCcrVlC5_wCzZwi0w
Time Won't Let Me was a Top 5 hit in the spring of '66. It was the only hit by The Outsiders, but one everybody remembers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv8vBwt8zw8