We continue our discussion of Garage Rock and Bands this week. The beginnings of rock and roll in the 1950s and 1960s was an exciting time despite the idea that it was a fad that would go away. (See Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 for more)
The growth of rock and roll music led to many young people forming their own band and practicing in their parents’ garage or basement. This led to the term “Garage Rock”. Within rock and roll music there are many genres; however, most have a common thread. Rock and roll music has always stayed somewhat on the edge of controversy. It has never been a type of music that was meant to be stagnant. This week we will continue spotlighting more of the groups and artists that are the Sounds of the 60s.
The Zombies
Hailed from England and formed as early as 1958 under the direction of Rod Argent. The band had various names and some changes to the lineup. It wasn’t until mid 1964 when they officially became The Zombies and achieved success particularly in the United States. “She’s Not There” was released in 1964 and became the first hit for the group reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December.
The success of this song led to another big hit in the US for the group with “Tell Her No” which reached number 6 on the chart in March 1965.
However, the success of the band with the early singles did not follow until “Time of the Season” was released in 1968. The song became a huge hit in 1969 reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100; however, by this time the group had already broken up. The members of the group resisted to reform. Rod Argent went on to form the group Argent in 1969.
The Dave Clark Five
were considered part of the British Invasion and like the Zombies actually became more popular in the United States than in the UK. They were the second group of the Invasion who appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show”. The band actually began in 1957, but like so many groups of the time they went through several lineup changes and names before reaching major success in 1964.
Their first successful single “Glad All Over” reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April of that year.
The success followed with big hits including the number 1 single “Over and Over” in December 1965. The group was actually the first British band to tour the United States and they made an impressive 18 appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show”. This was the most appearances on the highly influential show of any of the British Invasion groups.
However, like many bands, after several hits between 1964 and 1967 the success basically came to an end in the US in 1967 after “You Got What It Takes” which reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, during these years the group had 8 top ten singles with a total of 17 records reaching the Top 40 of the chart. The group disbanded in 1970.
The Rascals
began in Garfield, New Jersey in 1965. The Rascals were known for their blue-eyed soulful sound.
The group reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 a total of 9 times between 1966 and 1968 beginning with the number 1 hit single “Good Lovin” in 1966.
Two other number one songs followed with “Groovin” in 1967 and “People Got To Be Free” in 1968.
In addition, The Rascals had three other top ten singles during these years. During 1968 and 1969, the group also reached the top 40 of The Billboard Hot 100 with 4 additional singles. However, success for the group appeared to be waning by 1970. Original members began leaving and the group disbanded by 1972.
Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
officially formed in 1963. Sam formed The Pharaohs in 1961; however, the group was not successful and disbanded in 1962 only to reform in 1963 with a different lineup. The new group recorded “Wooly Bully” which would become their first and biggest hit. The group followed with a couple of other top 40 hits; however, the lineup changed again.
The single sold 3 million copies. It reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June of 1965. The song became the first Billboard number one record of the year that did not reach the number 1 position on the weekly charts.
The group then recorded “Lil’ Red Riding Hood” where it reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in August 1966. The group followed up with a few other top 40 hits, but disbanded in 1967.
Much of the music from the 1960s was heavily influenced by the British Invasion. However, among the many Garage Rock Bands, there were many that were from the UK and other countries. Many were considered part of the that invasion. Rock and roll music began the dream of many to form their own bands and were quite successful. Some only enjoyed that success for a few years, but the amount of time spent reaching that milestone was rarely overnight.
-Jack B Stephens
Sources and Further Information:
The Zombies – Wikipedia
In 2010, Ace Records released a series of six 7-inch vinyl EPs. All the tracks were new to vinyl, with some rarities taken from the Zombie Heaven box set, as well as previously unreleased material. The following year, Tom Toomey replaced Airey on guitar.
The Zombies | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links | AllMusic
Find The Zombies bio, music, credits, awards, & streaming links on AllMusic – Popular British Invasion beat group who also…
The Zombies – New Songs, Playlists & Latest News – BBC Music
The BBC artist page for The Zombies. Find the best clips, watch programmes, catch up on the news, and read the latest The Zombies interviews.
The Dave Clark Five And Beyond | Fast Facts About the Dave Clark Five | Great Performances | PBS
Update March 7, 2016: National encore broadcast is Friday, March 25, 2016 at 10/9c(check local Schedule). If you were listening to music and watching “The Ed Sullivan Show” in the 1960s, there’s little chance you don’t know the beats and hooks of The Dave Clark Five.
The Dave Clark Five – Wikipedia
The Dave Clark Five (also known as “the DC5″) was an English pop rock group. Their single ” Glad All Over” knocked the Beatles’ ” I Want to Hold Your Hand” off the top of the UK Singles Chart in January 1964; it peaked at number 6 in the United States in April 1964.
The Rascals | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links | AllMusic
Find The Rascals bio, music, credits, awards, & streaming links on AllMusic – Perhaps the best blue-eyed soul group of the…
The Rascals – Wikipedia
The Rascals (initially known as The Young Rascals) were an American rock band, formed in Garfield, New Jersey in 1965. Between 1966 and 1968 the New Jersey act reached the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 with nine singles, including the #1s ” Good Lovin'” (1966), ” Groovin'” (1967), and ” People Got to Be Free” (1968), as well as big radio hits such as the much-covered ” How Can I Be Sure?”
Sam The Sham
Sam the Sham And The Pharaohs Domingo Samudio was born on March 6th, 1937 near Dallas, Texas to a Spanish speaking couple of Mexican decent. His mother passed away when he was around three and half years old and his father was left to raise three children.
Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links | AllMusic
Find Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs bio, music, credits, awards, & streaming links on AllMusic – Legendary band of Texans whose “Wooly Bully” was…
Sam the Sham – Wikipedia
Domingo “Sam” Samudio (born 28 February 1937, Dallas, Texas), better known by his stage name Sam the Sham, is a retired American rock and roll singer. Sam the Sham was known for his camp robe and turban and hauling his equipment in a 1952 Packard hearse with maroon velvet curtains.
I don’t consider any of the above bands to be garage. WTF?