The Year in Rock 1965
The Year in Rock Music 1965
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane to 1965 and appreciate how it marked an incredible turning point in the history of rock music. That year was truly amazing, as we saw so many iconic bands and artists release groundbreaking albums and push the boundaries of the industry like never before. For instance, The Beatles were creating chart-topping hits like “Help!” and “Yesterday,” while The Rolling Stones were showing off their musical prowess with the timeless classic “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” Bob Dylan stunned everyone when he switched from folk to electric rock with “Like a Rolling Stone,” and The Who made a name for themselves with “My Generation.” Not to mention, we had the chance to groove to James Brown’s funk masterpiece “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” and epic hits such as The Kinks’ “All Day and All of Night,” released in 1964, but making it’s impact in a big way in 1965, and The Byrds’ “Mr. Tambourine Man”.
Rock music was branching out into various sub-genres. The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were the biggest bands in the world, bridging the gap between the British Invasion and American garage rock. Folk rock, influenced by Bob Dylan, was emerging with artists such as The Byrds and Simon & Garfunkel. Psychedelic rock was also on the rise with bands adding Eastern-influenced sounds and experimenting with drugs for inspiration. Examples include The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, and The Grateful Dead. Blues rock, featuring prominent slide guitar and harmonica solos, was also popular with artists like Cream and The Yardbirds. Finally, surf rock, featuring electric guitars with a twangy sound and influenced by California beach culture, was on the decline with the popularity of other genres.
The British Invasion in 1965 saw the continuation of British rock bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who achieve immense popularity in America. This was partly due to the success of The Beatles’ appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964, which introduced them to a huge American audience. Their music and style offered a refreshing alternative to the clean-cut American pop acts of the time. The British Invasion also paved the way for other British bands to achieve success in America, such as The Kinks and The Animals. It had a significant impact on the music industry, as record companies scrambled to sign British bands and Anglophilia became a trend in America.
“The Rolling Stones’ single (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction was released in June of 1965 and is considered one of the most important rock songs of all time. It was also featured on the American version of the Rolling Stones’ fourth studio album, “Out of Our Heads”, released that July.
It was written by frontman Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards, who were inspired by their own frustrations with fame and the music industry. With its iconic riff and memorable lyrics, it quickly became a chart-topping hit and propelled The Rolling Stones to even greater fame, cementing their status as one of the most influential rock bands in history. ‘Satisfaction’ has been covered by countless artists and featured in numerous films and TV shows.”
The Beatles were at the height of their popularity and cultural influence. They had released two critically acclaimed albums, “Rubber Soul” and “Help,” and had completed several successful tours across the UK, Europe, and the United States. Their music had evolved from their early rock ‘n’ roll roots to include more experimental and sophisticated elements, such as sitar and orchestral arrangements.
In August of 1965, the Beatles played to a record-breaking audience of 55,600 at New York’s Shea Stadium. The concert was seen as a turning point in music history and showcased the unprecedented fan fervor surrounding the band.
By 1965, the Who consisted of lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend, bass guitarist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. Their early sound was rooted in rhythm and blues, incorporating energetic guitar riffs, explosive drumming, and Daltrey’s piercing vocals.
On December 3, 1965, the band released their debut album “My Generation,” which included the title track and other hits such as “The Kids Are Alright” and “A Legal Matter.” Their energetic live shows and rebellious attitude quickly made them a favorite among fans and critics alike. Townshend’s signature windmill guitar move and Moon’s unpredictable behavior on stage added to their wild appeal.
The Kinks were at the height of their success. The year began with the release of their hit single “Tired of Waiting for You,” which reached the top 10 in both the UK and the US. In July, their classic song “You Really Got Me” topped the charts in the UK, cementing their status as one of the biggest bands of the era.
The Kinks also released their third album, “The Kink Kontroversy,” which showcased their evolving sound and songwriting abilities. It included hits like “Milk Cow Blues” and “Till the End of the Day.”
However, the band’s success was not without controversy. They were banned from touring the US due to conflicts with the American Federation of Musicians, and in the UK, their music was sometimes perceived as too rebellious and contrary to social norms.
Bob Dylan was at the height of his career as a folk singer-songwriter. He had already gained a significant following with his early hits such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall,” and he was about to release his groundbreaking album Highway 61 Revisited.
This album, which included the iconic song “Like a Rolling Stone,” marked a significant departure from Dylan’s acoustic folk sound and introduced a new sound that combined rock and roll with poetic lyrics.
Dylan’s decision to play an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival caused a huge controversy. Dylan had previously been known for his acoustic folk music which carried political and social messages. However, his decision to play electric guitar at the festival was perceived by some as a betrayal to the traditional folk music genre. Many folk purists were outraged and felt that Dylan had sold out. The controversy was exacerbated by the fact that Dylan’s electric performance received a mixed reception from the audience, with some booing and others applauding. Despite the controversy, Dylan continued to experiment with electric music and went on to release some of his most famous songs, including “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Positively 4th Street.”
The Byrds signature sound, consisting of jangling Rickenbacker guitars and close harmonies, had made them one of the most popular bands of the era. 1965 saw the release of two of their most iconic singles, “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, both of which became major hits and helped to establish the group as a major force in the music industry. Their debut album, “Mr. Tambourine Man”, was also released in 1965 and showcased the band’s unique blend of folk and rock influences. The Byrds were known for their pioneering use of psychedelic elements in their music, as well as their socially conscious lyrics and political activism.
Here are some of the top rock album releases of 1965, in no particular order or preference!
Highway 61 Revisited – Bob Dylan
Rubber Soul – The Beatles
Bringing It All Back Home – Bob Dylan
Mr. Tambourine Man – The Byrds
Help! – The Beatles
My Generation – The Who
The Beach Boys Today! – The Beach Boys11. Out Of Our Heads – The Rolling Stones
Having A Rave Up With The Yardbirds – The Yardbirds
Turn! Turn! Turn! – The Byrds
It Ain’t Me Babe – The Turtles
Do You Believe In Magic – The Lovin’ Spoonful
Having a Wild Weekend – The Dave Clark Five
The Pretty Things – The Pretty Things
The Kink Kontroversy – The Kinks
The Angry Young Them/Them (Featuring Here Comes The Night) – Them
Here Are The Sonics!!! – The Sonics
December’s Children (And Everybody’s) – The Rolling Stones
Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) – The Beach Boys
The Rolling Stones Now! – The Rolling Stones
Kinks-Size – The Kinks
Animal Tracks – The Animals
For Your Love – The Yardbirds
Kinda Kinks – The Kinks
Take A Heart – The Sorrows
Catch The Wind – Donovan
Get The Picture? – The Pretty Things
The Animals On Tour – The Animals
The Zombies – The Zombies
Kinkdom – The Kinks
I Want Candy – The Strangeloves
Fairytale/Colours – Donovan
The Five Faces of Manfred Mann – Manfred Mann
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Marianne Faithfull – Marianne Faithfull
Here They Come! – Paul Revere & The Raiders
Introducing The Beau Brummels – The Beau Brummels
Eve Of Destruction – Barry McGuire
Hear! Here! – The Hollies
Hang On Sloopy – The McCoys
Songs Of Our Times – P.F. Sloan
The Beau Brummels, Volume 2 – The Beau Brummels
The Magnificent Moodies/Go Now: The Moody Blues #1 – The Moody Blues
Herman’s Hermits On Tour – Herman’s Hermits
Mann Made – Manfred Mann
