Introduction

The 1967 "Summer of Love" had a profound impact on the music scene of 1968, catalyzing the evolution of Rock and Psychedelic Music. This period, centered in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, was characterized by a convergence of young people who embraced countercultural values, including a strong emphasis on music as a form of expression and rebellion.

The "Summer of Love" popularized Psychedelic rock, with bands like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane gaining prominence. The "Monterey International Pop Festival", a key event during this time, showcased Artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, who became iconic figures in the Music Scene that was an evolving Train of new Sounds.

Music festivals became a significant aspect of the Counterculture movement... the Music Scene in 1968 was marked by a blend of Rock, Folk, and Psychedelic Sounds... reflecting the ideals of the"Hippie Movement" that had gained momentum the previous year. This Era also saw the rise of Protest Music... as Artists used their Platforms to address Social and Political Issues, further cementing the legacy of the "Summer of Love" in shaping the Cultural and Musical Landscape of the late 1960s.

The Year 1968 Music Scene

We are now 2 years from the "Woodstock Music & Art Fair" (August 1969) billed as the "Counter Culture Nation Convention"... Boomer Youth are now 21 and can now die in Vietnam and finally Vote! Rock On ♪♪♪

January

The Rock Musical Hair opened on Broadway. 500,000 marched on Washington DC to protest the Vietnam War with Musical support from Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, John Denver, and Peter, Paul and Mary. ​

The Beatles begin the year at #1 in the US and UK with "Hello Goodbye". The Album "Magical Mystery Tour" is a Soundtrack to the Beatle's experimental Film. In London, they launch their own Company, Apple Corps, with a variety of businesses including a Store, a Recording Studio, and a Record Label.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Native John Fred and His Playboy Band knock the Beatles from the top spot in the US with their parody of the Beatles "Judy In Disguise" (#3 UK). The Song would go on to sell over a million Copies. The Song is from the Band's 3rd Album "Anges English."

Detroit Soul Singer Aretha Franklin hits #1 R&B, #2 US Pop, and #37 UK with the Single "Chain of Fools". It is Franklin's 5th Top Ten Single in a row on Atlantic Records. The Song is from Franklin's 12th album "Lady Soul" #2 US, #1 US R&B, and #25 UK.

Oxford, Ohio Band The Lemon Pipers hit #1 US with the Psychedelic Pop Single "Green Tambourine". They signed to Buddah Records the Band was pushed into recording the Song, which is considered one of the first "Bubblegum" Rock Songs to top the Charts

February

The Beatles and their Wives, Donovan, Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Actress Mia Farrow, and her Sister Prudence, along with others travel to India to study Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Beatles Song "Dear Prudence" is written during this Period.

Cicero, Illinois Rock Band the American Breed got to #5 US, and #24 UK with the single "Bend Me, Shape Me". In the early 70's with new members, the group morphed into Funk Band Rufus and acheived chart success after adding Singer Chaka Khan.

Cicero, Illinois Rock Rand the American Breed went to #5 US, and #24 UK with the single "Bend Me, Shape Me". In the early 70s, the Group morphed into Funk Band Rufus and achieved Chart success after adding Singer Chaka Khan.

"Love Is Blue", an Instrumental Cover from French Orchestra Leader Paul Mauriat, is a surprise #1 hit in the US, and #12 UK. It was the only #1 hit in the US ever by a French Artist until Daft Punk topped the chart with "Starboy" in 2017.

March

Killed in a Plane Crash while touring in December 1967, Otis Redding's posthumous single "(Sittin' On) The Dock of The Bay" was released on Stax/Volt and went to #1 US Pop, #1 R&B, and #3 UK. It would be Redding's only Single to Top 100 chart.

US Band The First Edition hit #5 US with their Psychedelic influenced Single "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)". Kenny Rogers, who would go on to Solo fame in the 70's, handled Lead Vocals on the Song.

The Monkees had a #3 US, and #12 UK hit Single with "Valleri". It would be their 6th and final Top-ten Single. Written by Bobby Hart and Tommy Boyce who wrote several of the Monkee's Hits and had their own #8 US hit in February with "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight."

San Francisco Rock Band Blue Cheer reached #14 US with their Cover of Eddie Cochran's Song "Summertime Blues". This Single is considered to be the 1st "Heavy Metal" Song to Chart in the US. The debut Album "Vincebus Eruptum" reaches #11 US.

Note: I, personally, find the Hard Rock version by Blue Cheer almost hideous, don't ya Know!

San Francisco Concert Promoter Bill Graham rented a vacant New York Theater and opened the Fillmore East Concert Venue to mimic his West Coast Venue (Filmore West). The San Francisco Fillmore was important in the growth of the SF Psychedelic Music Scene... and it moved East!

April

UK Band Manfred Mann had a UK #1 and US #10 hit Single with their Cover of Bob Dylan's "Quinn the Eskimo (Mighty Quinn)". The Song was recorded by Dylan in 1967, but wasn't released until 3 years later as part of "The Basement Tapes."

San Francisco, Psychedelic Soul Band Sly & The Family Stone break into the US Top Ten for the 1st time with the single "Dance To The Music". With a new Sound for the Pop Charts, the Song has 4 Singers, a Rock guitar, a Funk Bassline, Organ, and Horns.

The Rock Musical "Hair" opens on Broadway for the first of 1,750 performances. The hit Show would spawn several Top 40 Hits for various Artists including "Aquarius", "Good Morning Starshine" along with the Title Song "Hair."

New York City duo Simon and Garfunkel released the Album "Bookends" which went to #1 in both the US and UK. The single "Mrs. Robinson" would also hit #1 US, and #4 UK in June with the release of the Movie The Graduate.

May

"Young Girl" by San Diego Band Gary Puckett and The Union Gap hits #2 US and #1 in the UK. The gGoup would have 4 Top Five hits all written and produced by Columbia Records Staff Producer Jerry Fuller.

UK Band The Troggs, known for their hit "Wild Thing", reached #7 US with a softer Sound on the single "Love Is All Around". Written by Lead Singer Reg Presley, the Single had charted at #5 UK in late '67. A 1994 cover version by Wet, Wet, Wet would top the UK charts for 15 weeks.

Janis Joplin left her original Group Big Brother and the Holding Company. Searching for a more R&B Stax/Volt Style sound with Horns, she forms a Backup Group called The Kozmic Blues Band. They would release their 1st Album in 1969 (???).

Johnny Cash recorded 2 Live Performances at California's Folsom Prison in January with support from June Carter and Carl Perkins. The resulting Live Album released in May went to #1 on the US Country Chart and revitalized Cash's Career.

June

East Orange, New Jersey Singer Dionne Warwick has her 6th US Top Ten hit with the Burt Bacharach and Hal David Composition "Do You Know The Way to San Jose". The song hits #8 UK and goes on to sell more than a million Copies.

July

Scottish Folk Rocker, Donovan, came out with the psychedelic-influenced Single "Hurdy Gurdy Man" which peaked at #4 UK, and #5 US. The Song features Distorted Guitars, as well as an indian Influence with the use of a Tambura and an unusual Vocal Mix.

After venturing into Baroque Pop and Psychedelia, The Rolling Stones return to their Blues Roots with the Song "Jumpin' Jack Flash", which hits #1 in the UK and #3 US. The Song has been played during every Stones Concert Tour since it's release.

August

American Aand Tommy James & The Shondells have a #1 UK hit with the single "Mony, Mony" (#3 US). It was the 3rd US Top Five single for the Band, but their 1st Chart success in the UK. A cover by UK artist Billy Idol would hit #1 US, and #7 UK in 1987.

Note: I prefer the Billy Idol version.

September

Stamford, Texas Singer Jeannie C. Riley has a #1 Pop and Country Hit with her Debut Single "Harper Valley PTA". The Song, written by Country Singer Tom T. Hall, would go on to sell over 5 million Copies.

Hertford, England Hard Rock Band Deep Purple had a US #4 hit with the Single "Hush" from their Debut Album. The Group tours as the opening act for Cream's 1968 Farewell Tour and builds a following. The Band is considered one of the Founders of British "Heavy Metal" Music.

October

The second Album from San Diego Hard Rock Band Iron Butterfly reaches #4 US. The 17 minute title track "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" is edited down to 2:52 and released as a Single reaching #30 in the US in Oct. helping popularize "Heavy Metal".

Los Angeles Rock Band Canned Heat hit #8 UK, and #16 US with the Single "On The Road Again" from their 2nd Album "Boogie With Canned Heat." The Blues-based Jam Band appeared at both the Monterey Pop and Woodstock Rock Festivals.

"Hey Jude" is the first Single released on The Beatle's own Apple Label. Despite it's 7 minute length, the Song tops both the US and UK Charts. The Single sells over 8 million copies. In November the Band released their Double "White" album called simply "The Beatles."

James Brown, known as the Godfather of Soul, reached the US Top Ten for the 5th time and hit #1 R&B with the single "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud". The Song becomes an anthem for the late '60's Black Power movement.

Welsh Folk Singer Mary Hopkin has a #1 UK and #2 US hit with "Those Were The Days" produced by Paul McCartney and released on the Apple Label. Hopkin would go on to have 3 more UK Top Ten hit Singles, but only one more Top 20 hit in the US.

November

The 2nd album from Northern Ireland Singer-Songwriter Van Morrison entitled "Astral Weeks" is released. Initially a slow seller with poor Reviews, the Album gained followers over time and is now considered an important Record in the Evolution of Rock.

Gritty-voiced UK Singer Joe Cocker tops the UK chart with his radical reworking of The Beatles's "With A Little Help From My Friends". The Song would become popular in the US after Cocker performed it at the Woodstock Festival in 1969.

Note: I like Joe's version better.

December

Motown Artist Marvin Gaye hits #1 in the US and UK with the Single "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" which had reached #2 US the previous year for Gladys Knight & The Pips. Gaye's version became the best-selling Motown Single to date!

It was a good year for the Motown Record Iabel, as Stevie Wonder hits #2 US with the single "For Once In My Life" sitting right behind Marvin Gaye on the Charts. Originally a slow ballad, Wonder's Up-tempo Version brings him his 7th US Top Ten Single.

NBC-TV airs the Elvis "Comeback Special" - featuring Presley and his original 1950's Era Backing Band playing live, mostly Acoustic Versions of his own Songs and other favorites in front of a Studio Audience. The show is a Ratings Hit and helps revive Presley's Career.

Ok, we got through what I would call a good (not great) year for the Rock Genre and its Subgenres... it was good to have the Stones back, and to see crazy Joe Cocker, Van Morrison, Deep Purple, Iron Butterfly, and 2 of my Fav Gals (Aertha and Janis) on Top... will the Train keep climbing the Hill in 1969?

1968 Best Selling Singles

1 The Beatles - Hey Jude
2 Mary Hopkin - Those Were the Days
3 The Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash
4 Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay
5 Marvin Gaye - I Heard it Through the Grapevine
6 John Fred & The Playboy Band - Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)
7 The Beatles - Lady Madonna
8 Bobby Goldsboro - Honey
9 Tom Jones - Delilah
10 Barry Ryan - Eloise
11 Louis Armstrong - (What A) Wonderful World
12 Simon & Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson
13 Gary Puckett & The Union Gap - Young Girl
14 1910 Fruitgum Co. - Simon Says
15 Steppenwolf - Born to Be Wild
16 Manfred Mann - Mighty Quinn
17 Paul Mauriat & his Orchestra - Love Is Blue (L'Amour Est Bleu)
18 Tommy James & the Shondells - Mony Mony
19 Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Fire
20 Georgie Fame - Ballad of Bonnie & Clyde
21 Bee Gees - Words
22 Tom Jones - Help Yourself
23 Ohio Express - Yummy Yummy Yummy
24 The Beatles - Revolution
25 Joe Cocker - With a Little Help From My Friends
26 The Lemon Pipers - Green Tambourine
27 Cream - White Room
28 Engelbert Humperdinck - A Man Without Love
29 Bee Gees - I've Gotta Get a Message to You
30 Merrilee Rush - Angel of the Morning
31 Herb Alpert - This Guy's in Love With You
32 Diana Ross & The Supremes - Love Child
33 Hugo Montenegro - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
34 Cream - Sunshine of Your Love
35 Donovan - Hurdy Gurdy Man
36 Richard Harris - MacArthur Park
37 The Doors - Hello, I Love You
38 Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride
39 Cliff Richard - Congratulations
40 The Young Rascals - People Got to Be Free

1968 Best Selling Albums

1 The Beatles - The Beatles (The White Album)
2 Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland
3 The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet
4 The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour
5 Cream - Wheels of Fire
6 Simon & Garfunkel - The Graduate
7 Big Brother & the Holding Company - Cheap Thrills
8 Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends
9 Van Morrison - Astral Weeks
10 Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison
11 The Doors - Waiting For The Sun
12 Bob Dylan - John Wesley Harding
13 Aretha Franklin - Lady Soul
14 Paul Mauriat & his Orchestra - Blooming Hits
15 The Band - Music From Big Pink
16 Diana Ross & The Supremes - Greatest Hits
17 The Moody Blues - Days Of Future Passed
18 Otis Redding - Dock Of The Bay
19 Leonard Cohen - Songs Of Leonard Cohen
20 Jose Feliciano - Feliciano
21 The Rolling Stones - Their Satanic Majesties Request
22 Jimi Hendrix - Smash Hits
23 Herb Alpert - The Beat Of The Brass
24 Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman
25 Aretha Franklin - Aretha Now
26 Ennio Morricone - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
27 Blood Sweat & Tears - Child Is Father to the Man
28 The Mothers of Invention - We're Only In It For The Money
29 Engelbert Humperdinck - A Man Without Love
30 The Byrds - Sweetheart of the Rodeo
31 Bee Gees - Horizontal
32 Otis Redding - The History Of Otis Redding
33 Steppenwolf - Steppenwolf
34 The Young Rascals - Time Peace & The Rascals' Greatest Hits
35 The Moody Blues - In Search Of The Lost Chord
36 Original Soundtrack - Camelot
37 The Hollies - Greatest Hits
38 The Byrds - The Notorious Byrd Brothers
39 Herb Alpert - Herb Alpert's Ninth
40 The Zombies - Odessey & Oracle

My Take on the 1968 List

First, this is the 1st time that Rock Songs are more than the Pop Genre...

Glad to see Otis Reading back... The Doors started slow but ready for Blastoff... I love Cream... Steppenwolf...

Take notice to the Album list... although they were not on the Top 40 Song List, it shows the interest in new Bands: the Byrds, The Hollies, The Moody Blues, The Mothers of Invention, Blood Sweat and Tears, The Band, The Mothers of Invention, and, the most important to me was the Rise of Janis Joplin... Rock On ♪♪♪

Things are definitely a Changin', Mates... the Train is hitting its stride, Mates... come aboard!

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