Folk Rock

Music to "go-go" by wasn't the only hot trend in 1965; the new genre of folk-rock (evolving from traditional folk music, but often utilizing electric guitars and a rock beat) also became the rage, thanks to Bob Dylan.

His classic albums "Bringing It All Back Home" (released in early '65), combined "folkie" with rock, the first to do this. On one side of the album, backup was provided by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band; ("She Belongs To Me", "Maggie's Farm", and "Subterranean Homesick Blues"). The acoustic side featured "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Gates Of Eden".

Another classic, "Highway 61 Revisited" (also from '65) had an all-rock sound and featured "Ballad Of A Thin Man" and "Like A Rolling Stone".

It was late July, 1965. The scene was the Newport Folk Festival. Dylan was going to unveil the new electric sound to the folk community.

Behind the stage, some of the performers tried to stop him. But to no avail; Dylan went on.

He started off with "Maggie's Farm".

What the !!?

The audience erupted in a chorus of boos and indignation.

Shaken and upset, Dylan stormed off the stage.

He returned a few minutes later, alone, and asked for a D Harmonica from the crowd; the request was answered.

The stage floor became carpeted with harmonicas.

He then sang "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" , and walked off the stage.

The crowd thought they'd won.

They didn't.

Though traditional folkies hated the new sound, Dylan broke through to a national audience.

"Like A Rolling Stone"" became a no. 2 smash. The album "Bringing It All Back Home" hit the Top 10, as did "Highway 61 Revisited" and "Blonde On Blonde" (1966).

Dylan (and his songs) had become a red-hot and commercial success; there was no turning back.

A crop of new folk-rockers began covering his songs, adding their own unique style:

The Byrds (One of the best in this genre) had a no. 1 smash with "Mr. Tambourine Man". Other Dylan songs the group did were "Spanish Harlem Incident", "All I Really Want To Do" and "My Back Pages".

The Turtles had a top 10 hit with "It Ain't Me Babe".

Sonny and Cher had the no. 1 smash (for three weeks!), "I Got You Babe". (This was actually written by Sonny Bono, but this song had a Dylan sound. Actually, it sounds like Bob Dylan andPhil Spector to me!

Cher also had her first solo top 40 hit with Dylan's "All I Really Want To Do". (There were two covers of this; The Bryds also recorded it. But I think Cher had the better version.)

Other new groups and singers, influenced by the folk-rock boom, emerged:

The Mamas and The Papas, with group member John Philips as chief songwriter, debuted with the no. 4 smash, "California Dreamin" .

The Lovin' Spoonful, led by group member and songwriter John Sebastian, had two top 10 hits in late '65, "Do You Believe In Magic?" and "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice".

We Five debuted with the no. 3 smash, "You Were On My Mind".

(Paul) Simon and (Art) Garfunkel, former pop singers, had a no. 1 smash in Dec. with Simon's "Sounds Of Silence."

Donovan (Leitch) was the "British Bob Dylan" (the singer hailed from Scotland). He even wore a demin cap and used a racked harmonica, like Dylan. "Catch The Wind" marked his U.S. top 40 debut (no. 23).

On the British charts, Dylan had several hits (including "Times They Are A-Changin' ", "Subterranean Homesick Blues", "Like A Rolling Stone", and "Positively 4th Street".

His U.S. female counterpart, Joan Baez, also scored a top 10, "There But For Fortune" (still on the British charts).

Hedgehoppers Anonymous had one of the most interesting songs of the year, "It's Good News Week", a top 10 British smash.

Back in the U.S., former Limeliter (a prominent folk group) Glen Yarbrough had the top 10 smash, from the Steve McQueen film of the same name, but still folk-sounding, "Baby, The Rain Must Fall".

And of course, former New Christy Minstrels lead singer Barry McGuire, scored a no. 1(and very controversial) smash, "Eve Of Destruction", the first rock protest hit (I would also consider this folk-rock).

"It was truly groundbreaking in its day", recalled Pamela Foster. Many stations banned it. And those that did play it, would always preface the song with a statement or disclaimer. And there was even an answer song to this called "Dawn Of Correction" by The Spokesmen, but it didn't get as much airplay (released in late '65, the song peaked at no. 36). Say what you will, but sometimes controversy sells big!"
"And McGuire was invited to sing this on Hullabaloo; I believe he even participated in the 'Pop Medley' segment!"