The Beginning of 1966
In January 1966, the year began with Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sounds of Silence” climbing to Number 1 on the charts. Its haunting lyrics and electric reworking marked a turning point for folk music, blending traditional storytelling with modern instrumentation.
“Day Tripper” and “We Can Work It Out” by The Beatles were riding high, showcasing their unmatched ability to dominate the charts with innovative music.
Captivating Performances
In January 1966, The Who solidified their reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts with a powerful performance on television, captivating audiences with their raw energy on the show Shindig! along with The Kinks who also performed.
The Small Faces, The Kinks, Donovan and Dusty Springfield took the stage, delivering energetic performances that captivated the audience on the British television show Ready, Steady Go!.
The Rolling Stones kept fans enthralled with their bluesy hit “19th Nervous Breakdown,” which highlighted their growing maturity and confidence as songwriters. Finally, Peter and Gordon offered the poignant track “Woman,” penned by Paul McCartney under the pseudonym Bernard Webb, adding a unique connection to The Beatles’ influence. These releases illustrated the incredible diversity of 1966’s music, setting the tone for a transformative year ahead.
Donovan opens his U.S. tour at Carnegie Hall and then films his appearance on Hullaballoo.
In March, The Who released their latest single “Substitute”. Meanwhile they get into a legal dispute with their producer Shel Talmy after their deal with Polydor. He is seeking a legal injunction against them releasing their B-side to Substitute as he states, “I have a valid contract with them”.
The Beatles’ Nowhere Man is quickly moving up the Billboard charts along with Lovin’ Spoonful’s latest release ‘Daydream’ and Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Homeward Bound’.
Pink Floyd gain the spot for the ‘Spontaneous Underground’, a series of anything-goes Sunday afternoon happenings at the Marquee Club, featuring music, poetry, anti-conjuring acts, free haircuts and near-naked audience members rolling in mounds of jelly.
