Lily S.
MUSIC AND LITERATURE IN THE 1960S
LITERATURE
Literature reflected what was happening revolving around the political and social issues of America during this era. A book that described some turmoil of race relations was Harper Lee's winning novel, To Kill A Mockingbird which is about a small southern town and social distinctions between the races. Women of color (Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya Angelou, Margaret Walker Alexander, etc.) helped create new insights on feminism as it developed throughout America. Marshall McLuhan was an author on books about communications and the scope of "global village," popularized his belief that mass communications were a driving force in the development of the modern society.
MUSIC
Music in the 1960s became innately tied up into opposing certain ideas influenced by the sexual revolution, feminism, Black Power, and environmentalism. Musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane,the Beatles, Joan Baez, and Janis Joplin pursed similar varied aesthetic experiments and social concerns while creating a great artistic legacy. '60s began with soul music including Motown which brings into play the Civil Rights movement and integration during this era. R&B and Soul develops popularity throughout the decade led by Sam Cooke, James Brown, and Otis Redding. Funk soon begins later in the decade with help of James Brown and Sly & the Family Stone. Country Music (Nashville Sound) marked triumph and great tragedy during this era. Nashville Sound emphasized string sections, background vocals, crooning lead vocals, and production styles seen in country music. Some artists surrounding this genre were Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Ray Price, and Patsy Cline. Folk Music also contributed major movement, utilizing traditional music and new compositions in a traditional style, usually on acoustic instruments. Some artists of this genre were Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger as well as Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. Blues Rock was pioneered by guitarist Lonnie Mack and really took off in the mid-60s. Garage Rock was a form of amateurish rock music during the mid-1960s and so called because of the perception that it was rehearsed in a suburban family garage.