 Beatlemania was in full swing by 1966, although Beatle John Lennon had caused the first set-back for his band when he made comments that were offensive to Christians. The fan who shot Lennon in 1980 cited his comments made in 1966 as part of the reason for his fatal actions. Many different musicians topped the charts in 1966 including The Monkees (aided by a popular TV show) The Mamas and The Papas, and The Rascals. The Beach Boys released their "Pet Sounds" (pop orchestra) album in May of 1966, and they could do no wrong with "Good Vibrations", "Caroline, No" and many other hits. Easy listening also sold millions of albums with names such as Frank Sinatra hitting it big. Motown remained huge with hits from Diana Ross, Percy Sledge, James Brown, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick, Otis Redding, and many others. A huge hit in 1966 has often been credited with the formation of a "nostalgia craze" in America. "Winchester Cathedral" (New Vaudeville Band) combined megaphone singing with Swingin' 60's to create a brand new sound for this generation of music lovers. The intrigue over vintage music had begun! Hard Rock or "Acid Rock" clearly had a place in America too with music by Jimi Hendrix, The Kinks, The Who, and the Yardbirds.
The Rolling Stone named 500 of the greatest songs of all time. 31 songs made the cut in 1966!
211 Caroline, No - The Beach Boys
271 Sloop John B - The Beach Boys
25 God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
6 Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
137 Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles
463 Rain - The Beatles
175 I Fought the Law - Bobby Fuller Four
123 It's A Man's, Man's, World - James Brown
72 Papa's Got a Brand New Bag Pt. 1 - James Brown
150 Eight Miles High - The Byrds
404 Visions of Johanna - Bob Dylan
230 Just Like a Woman - Bob Dylan
206 Reach Out I'll Be There - The Four Tops
464 Standing in the Shadows of Love - The Four Tops
198 Hey Joe - Jimi Hendrix
220 Walk Away Renee - The Left Banke
393 Summer in the City - The Loving Spoonful
428 Devil With The Blue Dress On - Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
381 Tell It Like It Is - Aaron Neville
400 Kicks - Paul Revere and the Raiders
434 Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett
339 You Keep Me Hanging On - Diana Ross
54 When A Man Loves A Woman - Percy Sledge
244 Gimme Some Lovin' - The Spencer Davis Group
491 You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Dusty Springfield
210 96 Tears - ? And the Mysterians
257 Wild Thing - The Troggs
33 River Deep, Mountain High - Tina Turner |
