The Youth Generation of the 1960s In the early 1960s, the youth were optimistic as the “young” Kennedy administration were redirecting society Kennedy’s assassination destroyed the optimism By the end of the 1960s, disillusionment, violence, drugs and antisocial behavior were the norm. But what happened in between? What was it like being the youth in the 1960s?

The 1950s- Republicans dominated; political and social conservatism The 1960s- Democrats dominated; liberal years Social issues: Racial integration- the civil rights movement Young people participated in sit-ins, freedom bus rides, and protest marches civil rights legislation passed Vietnam War Youth rebelled against the selective service system and the growing U.S. involvement in the war The protestors demanded peace The youth were less successful in this campaign; the war escalated through the 1960s and didn’t end until early 1970s This frustration may be why domestic violence grew in the late 1960s

Environment issues: Ecology- there was concern that the population growth and industrial expansion would deplete natural resources Technology- youth became suspicious in the newly evolving computer industry Growing concern for the self- “getting to know one’s self” Spiritual vehicles (Buddhism, meditation, etc) Drugs (barbiturates, amphetamines, etc) This contradicted their the natural health food trend they promoted

Violence- another inconsistency The peace-youth needed to resort to violence in order to make their point Youth dropped out of school in order to protest against “the establishment” Long hair, outlandish styles, students ran away Sexual revolution Females fashions became revealing Co-ed living was now an alternative lifestyle Music was a central ingredient to the 1960s; it reflected society’s concerns and feelings, reinforced attitudes and beliefs, helped modify value systems and helped spread changes. The youth were motivated by music to act.

Combined folk music with rock and roll Robert Zimmerman (Bob Dylan)- born on May 24, 1941 in Duluth, MN His influence was Woody Guthrie, whom he had left home to go visit in the hospital Moved to NYC where Guthrie welcomed him into the folk culture He auditioned for Columbia Records with the song You’re No Good by Jesse Fuller You’re No Good Vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica Would you have recommended Mr. Dylan for a recording contract?

Columbia Records signed him and his first record was released in March 1962 Included traditional folk songs and blues and 2 original songs Talkin’ New York- in the “talking blues” style Talkin’ New York A story is half spoken and half sung An autobiography of his travels from the west to NYC Shows Dylan’s talent of writing lyrics with artistic skill Reveals his dry wit and sarcasm

Follow-up album in March 1963 Blowin’ in the Wind Covered by Peter, Paul and Mary who turned it into a #2 hit Became an anthem of the youth movement as it expressed optimism and confidence Masters of War- condemns the military-industrial complex Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right Also covered by Peter, Paul and Mary One of his love songs A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall Vaguely refers to the spectrum of humanity’s disregard for itself

Album released in January 1964 This is when Dylan emerged as a folk star The song The Times They Are a-Changin’ warns that there is a new force in the nationThe Times They Are a-Changin’ The youth better adapt to it or they’ll “sink like a stone” in the floods of change Has a rougher edge than Blowin in the Wind’s anthem The following album, Another Side of Bob Dylan, was more mellow and contemplative Subterranean Homesick- was #39 and used a drum set and electric guitars- sounded like rock

At the Newport Folk Festival, Bob Dylan used electric instruments in July 1965 He was booed and hissed when entering the stage, but the “folk rock” style had been born Mr. Tambourine Man- a song by Bob Dylan was covered by The Byrds in their rock style and was #1 in June 1965 Mr. Tambourine Man Dylan and the Byrds share the credit as they both released this style at the same time

Other important songs/albums: “Like a Rolling Stone” “Rainy Day Women #12 and 35”-in response to criticism “People will criticize you (“stone you”) no matter what you do or how good you try to be. He tosses off the criticism with a double entendre: ‘Everybody must get stoned.’ This hook line can mean that everybody must endure criticism (getting “stoned” in the biblical sense) or that one is best advised to shrug off criticism and simply get “stoned” (i.e. with drugs or alcohol.) –p. 180 John Wesley Harding “All Along the Watchtower” Nashville Skyline- had a country sound Blood on the Tracks- #1 album in 1975

His obtuse lyrics were always at the center of controversy They were the most influential and sophisticated since the beginning of rock and roll They used symbolism, internal ironies, sarcasm, thought-provoking messages, dry wit, surrealism, and graceful flow Topics included civil rights, war, folk rock, country rock, surrealism, broken relationships and Christian faith

This band could have done very well if it weren’t for the constant personnel changes Original group members in 1964: Jim McGuinn- born in Chicago, was the central figure Gene Clark- from Missouri David Crosby- singer from Los Angeles Chris Hillman- mandolin player from Los Angeles Mike Clarke- drummer from NY Their first album included Mr. Tambourine Man (Bob Dylan cover) released in March 1965 Electric-rock oriented Was #1 in June 1965

Their second album Turn. Turn, Turn used original material and more Dylan songs The song, Turn Turn Turn, was #1 in December 1965Turn Turn Turn Gene Clark left; the group remained a quartet Their 3 rd album, Fifth Dimension was released in 1966 Eight Miles High was #14 Eight Miles High Used unusual chord progressions Lyrics had a double meaning Was their most controversial hit In 1967, Crosby left after disagreements with McGuinn The group continued as a trio

The Notorious Byrd Brothers album was the most interesting and eclectic album Draft Morning- an effective protest song Draft Morning has effective lyrics and mixed-in sound effects Many songs have a country sound intermingled with electronic rock sounds Contains experiments in meter (using 5 and 6 beats, etc) Phase shifting is used Mike Clarke then left the group and was replaced by Kevin Kelly Gram Parsons joined Mid Parsons and Hillman left, leaving McGuinn as the only original member McGuinn finally disbanded the Byrds entirely

One of the most successful “folk rock” groups They tended toward a softer rock style had 9 singles in the top 40 and 6 in the top 10 Members who all moved to Los Angeles to record: John Phillips- from South Carolina Cass Elliot- from Maryland Denny Doherty– from Canada Michelle Phillips

If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears album was released in 1966 and became #1 California Dreamin’- #1 song California Dreamin’- Monday, Monday Their second album, The Mamas and the Papas, also released in 1966 I Saw Her Again was in the Top 10 I Saw Her Again By mid-1968, the group disbanded Musical elements: Used echo and overdubbing techniques Quartet sounded like a full chorus with effective harmonies They rarely engaged in protest songs

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel released singles in 1957 as “Tom and Jerry” such as Hey Schoolgirl. The guys attended school together and auditioned for Columbia Records their first album Wednesday Morning 3a.m. was released The Sounds of Silence- an original Simon song using voices and acoustic guitar The Sounds of Silence It was remixed with electric bass, electric guitars, and drumsremixed Their second album used this title and remix as one of the songs

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme album was released in 1966 Included Homeward Bound which was a Top 10 hitHomeward Bound The Graduate film helped the duo return to the spotlight Was #1 soundtrack for 9 weeks Contained Scarborough Fair/Canticle and Mrs. Robinson Mrs. Robinson became #1 hit Mrs. Robinson Bookends was a concept album and was influenced by Sgt. Pepper Included the songs America, Overs, Voices of Old People, Old Friends, Bookends Theme, Mrs. Robinson, A Hazy Shade of Winter (folk rock)A Hazy Shade of Winter

Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) After that album, the duo went separate ways Their success was based on Simon’s lyric and tune writing skills References to Bob Dylan, folk rock, and themselves

Joan Baez We Shall Overcome- a civil rights anthem in 1963 Diamonds and Rust Judy Collins Send in the Clowns Sonny and Cher All I Really Want To Do Buffalo Springfield For What It’s Worth Mr. Soul Donovan Catch the Wind

The three basic types of form structure are: 12-bar blues AABA Through-composed (new music composed for each section of text) Classical composers use this as the music can respond to the variations in mood, images and situations in the lyrics The form structure Bob Dylan uses is called strophic Each and every verse is set to the same music, regardless of lyrical content Very common for folk music Example: church hymns

Blowin’ in the Wind 4-measure melody = 16-measure strophe with AAAB Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right 4-measure melody = 16-measure strophe with AABC The Times They Are a-Changin’ 5 stanzas with 6 lines per stanza; 26-measure strophe Mr. Tambourine Man Verse-chorus approach

The test will include listening, multiple choice and short answer questions. You should be able to: Describe the youth generation of the 1960s Describe the impact music had on the youth generation Describe Bob Dylan, his contributions and impact on folk music Describe how “folk rock” was created Describe the Byrds, Mamas and the Papas, and Simon and Garfunkel and their contributions/impact on folk music Recognize other folk rock artist Describe Bob Dylan’s song style