Top Of The Box » 1960’s

The Beatles – Hey Jude

John Williams — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:50:42 +0000

This was first aired in the UK ‘live’ on the David Frost Show in 1968 and is still a brilliant performance, The Beatles with the beautiful song Hey Jude.

The Beatles – Hey Jude

Bob Dylan – It’s All Over Now Baby Blue – Live 1965

John Williams — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:33:05 +0000

This is an excellent clip of Bob Dylan way back in 1965, still fresh faced and singing It’s All Over Now Baby Blue.

Bob Dylan – It’s All Over Now Baby Blue

P.P. Arnold – The First Cut Is The Deepest

John Williams — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:51:41 +0000

The definitive version of the Cat Stevens song First Cut Is The Deepest, in my opinion. PP Arnold performs the song on Beat Club on UK TV in 1967.

There have been many covers of this classic song, many great versions, this is my favourite.

P.P.Arnold – The First Cut Is The Deepest

The Doors – Light My Fire

John Williams — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:49:43 +0000

The Doors were founded by Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison in Los Angeles in 1965. Light My Fire appeared on their eponymous album released in 1967.

Both controversial and influential during the late sixties, the death of singer Jim Morrison in Paris in 1971 only served to fuel the legend of the band.

This video showcases the experimental nature of The Doors music.

The Doors – Light My Fire

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Midnight Special – Live

John Williams — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:57:54 +0000

Taken from Creedence Clearwater Revival’s fourth album Willy And The Poor Boys released in 1969, this is their reworked version of a Leadbelly classic, Midnight Special.

For three years, from 1969, CCR would make some of the best selling albums in rock music, including the classic Cosmo’s Factory in 1970. They also had stacks of great singles in that period, Have You Ever Seen The Rain, Long As I Can See the Light, Up Around The Bend and Proud Mary to name a few.

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Midnight Special – Live

Billy Preston – That’s The Way God Planned It

John Williams — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:18:31 +0000

Billy Preston was among the first artists to sign for The Beatles Apple label, he worked closely with the band during the recording of Let It Be when he was often referred to as the fifth Beatle.

This was Preston’s biggest hit in 1969, That’s The Way God Planned It. This performance comes from the early seventies possibly George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh.

Preston died in 2006 after suffering kidney disease for some years, he was 59 years old.

Billy Preston – That’s The Way God Planned It

John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards & Mitch Mitchell – Yer Blues

John Williams — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:58:06 +0000

This is an excellent clip from the 1968 film made for the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus. Part of the film included the supergroup Dirty Mac, comprising, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Mitch Mitchell. Yoko Ono also took part in the group with the fantastic idea of kneeling in front of the band covered with a black cloth-Rock & Roll!

This is Dirty Mac performing the Beatles song Yer Blues.

John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards & Mitch Mitchell – Yer Blues

Matthews Southern Comfort – Woodstock

John Williams — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:43:09 +0000

Not the greatest track in the world, but it does tell the story of probably the most famous free music festival ever. The song is written by Joni Mitchell and performed by Matthews Southern Comfort. The video contains some classic footage from Woodstock and the hippy generation.

Matthews Southern Comfort – Woodstock

The Zombies – She’s not there

John Williams — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:04:22 +0000

Here is a fantastic clip from the sixties, around 1964 I guess when The Zombies had a hit with their first single, reaching number 12 in the UK, but number 2 in USA & Canada. This is the original version of She’s not there, later covered by Santana.

The Zombies were led by Rod Argent on keyboards and Colin Bluntstone on vocals.

The Zombies – She’s not there

The Kinks – Low Budget

John Williams — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:56:53 +0000

Moving away from the quirky and very English songwriting that had brought about their earlier success, The Kinks were experimenting like many British bands at the time with concept albums and the like. The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society in 1968 is now considered by many as a masterpiece, but at the time it was not recognised as such.

The Kinks were no longer fashionable in the UK and the lifting of a ban preventing the band from touring the US could not have come at a better time for them. In 1969 the Kinks returned to the USA and found a new grown up audience ready to experience their latest music.

The album Low Budget was released at this time and would become a popular choice among the new fans in America, while interest waned in the UK.

The Kinks – Low Budget