These three vocalists made 1965 a year worth remembering in rock. The genre was evolving rapidly in this era, moving beyond its early, simplistic iterations. That development needed vocalists who could keep up.
Whether a folk artist transitioning to rock or genre stalwarts with remarkable grit, these frontmen were exactly what the genre needed. Revisit these once-in-a-generation vocalists below to remember this golden era of rock music.
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Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan isn’t really thought of as a vocalist first. In fact, people often rib him for his unique vocal style. But that is part of the reason he became so popular in the first place. Listeners instantly recognize when a Dylan song is playing, even if they aren’t massive fans. His unmatched voice was just distinctive enough to make people sit up and listen, which was his main function back in 1965. This was also the year he made his daunting leap from folkie to rock star.
From “Subterranean Homesick Blues” to “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)”, Dylan was an artist with something important to say back in the 1960s. His voice may not have been the most pristine of his generation, but his near-talking style let people hear his superb lyricism.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger is another distinctive vocalist. From swaggering rock tunes to countryisms, Jagger has proved time and time again that he can do it all. In 1965, Jagger fronted hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “The Last Time”. In these songs, and in other early Stones hits, Jagger set himself above his peers with vocals that stuck in listeners’ minds long after the track ended.
Even today, Jagger is known for his distinctive singing voice. He helped make rock a major force in the 1965 music scene, adding a bluesy edge to mod rock’s identity in this era.
Roger Daltrey
The Who was starting to build major buzz in 1965, in part because of frontman Roger Daltrey’s impeccable vocals. The pure vitriol he brought to “My Generation” in this era made him a mainstay in rock. Daltrey brought raw power to his vocal performances back then, exciting listeners endlessly.
He captured the angst of the British Invasion generation, delivering high-octane rock before the genre had evolved that far. He was a fork in the road, paving the way for future rockers.
(Photo by David Fenton/Getty Images)
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American singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain (1967 – 1994), performs with his group Nirvana at a taping of the television program 'MTV Unplugged,' New York, New York, Novemeber 18, 1993. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) -
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Vancouver-based. Chilliwack – from left; Brain MacLeod; Ab Bryant; Skip Layton; Bill Henderson and Jamie Bowers – were described as taking rock 'n' roll where it's goig back in the San Francisco rock explosion of 1967. but they fizzled because they didn't tour to push record sales. They aren't making that mistake again. -
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Rock music legend Janis Joplin performs at the free Woodstock Music and Art Fair. The festival took place on Max Yasgur's dairy farm, which he rented to event organizers for $75,000. About 450,000 people attended the three day concert, which turned into chaos due to the crowds, heavy rains, and traffic jams. It is nonetheless romantically remembered as a symbol of the liberal spirit of the hippie generation. (Photo by Henry Diltz/Corbis via Getty Images)