The 1960s were over 60 years ago, and rock music has changed quite a bit since its heyday. While many young music aficionados appreciate and enjoy the incredible works of art that came out of that decade, some are relatively un-introduced to the best albums of that decade. These six essential rock albums from the 1960s aged well and have strong listening power today, and would make a great introduction from one aging audiophile to someone from the younger generation.
1. ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ by The Beatles
Virtually all of The Beatles’ discography could make this list of essential rock albums from the 1960s. However, we tried to just pick one so that the entirety of this list wouldn’t just be Beatlemania. This album marked The Beatles’ diversion from the British Invasion to becoming one of the defining bands of an entire generation. It’s a psychedelic, playful, and experimental piece of work that deserves all the love that it gets.
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2. ‘Pet Sounds’ by The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds is essential for any rock fan, regardless of age or era. Brian Wilson opted to leave the world of boring, safe pop behind and step into progressive pop and art rock territory, complete with experimental concepts and now-iconic hits. The whole album is essential listening, but the tracks “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows” have likely already reached the young listener in question.
3. ‘Highway 61 Revisited’ by Bob Dylan
Some say that this album is Bob Dylan’s best work, and we’re inclined to agree. It’s a stunning folk-rock record with timeless hits like “Like A Rolling Stone” and “Desolation Row”. There is so much depth to this record. Even though folk purists scoffed at Dylan for incorporating the electric guitar, he managed to create something entirely new with Highway 61 Revisited.
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4. ‘Are You Experienced’ by Jimi Hendrix Experience
This wouldn’t be a list of essential 1960s rock albums without Jimi Hendrix. Are You Experienced features some of the best guitar tracks of any album of all time, and the songwriting is similarly dazzling. Elements of soul, hard rock, and blues make up this somewhat strange but ultimately addicting album.
5. ‘Led Zeppelin I’ by Led Zeppelin
After his time with The Yardbirds, Jimmy Page decided to step away from blues into brand new territory. Led Zeppelin’s very first record still leaned towards blues in a number of ways, but it is widely considered one of the very first heavy rock albums of the decade. The acoustic songs on this record have that same heaviness. It’s easy to understand why so many rock and metal bands in the decades that followed cited this piece of work as their first inspiration.
6. ‘Tommy’ by The Who
Tommy follows the musical story of a deaf and blind young boy who finds freedom of expression through music. It’s a sad but wholesome tale, and the baroque elements of this album make it stand out from The Who’s contemporaries at the time. Roger Daltrey’s vocals are unmatched on this one.
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