Sunderland Music Scene In The Sixties

To begin with, we have put together some information about the Sunderland music scene in the sixties. Obviously, if there is a connection to Wearside, we will show this. Of course, if you know more about their trips to Sunderland or the Wearside area, let us know in the comments box below. Moreover, if you know of other visits by groups and bands from the sixties, leave a comment or two.

Sunderland Music Scene In The Sixties

Amen Corner

Others members of Amen Corner were, organist Blue Weaver, guitarist Neil Jones, bassist Clive Taylor, saxophonists Allen Jones and Mike Smith and drummer Dennis Bryn. Amen Corner scored the first of their six British chart hits with “Gin House” in the summer of 1967.

Of course, (If Paradise Is) Half as Nice, went to number one in early 1969. Moreover, Andy Fairweather Low had become a teenage heartthrob. Their Biggest Hits were, If Paradise Is Half As Nice, High Into The Sky and Bend Me Shape Me.

Andy Fairweather Low now plays alongside Eric Clapton, although it’s not a new experience for guitarist Andy, who has been with Eric since 1992. Andy joined Eric’s band for their concert tour of Japan in 1997 and contributed to Eric’s 1992 acoustic album Unplugged. Furthermore, among other greats that he has worked with are George Harrison and Van Morrison.

The Animals

The Animals played a brand of rock similar to the Rolling Stones. Indeed, their House of the Rising Sun single in 1960, went to number one. The Animals underwent numerous personnel changes in the mid-1960s and suffered from poor business management. During 1966 members came and went, and after the departure of Alan Price, the band were soon to finish for good. Other hits were, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood and We’ve Gotta Get Out of this Place.

The Beatles

The album, Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band captured a moment in musical history and lifted pop music to a new level of artistic achievement. During their studio years, The Beatles produced what critics consider some of their finest material.

This was indeed, High Street, Sunderland when The Beatles came.

Fleetwood Mac

At that time Fleetwood Mac was an all male blues band with a guitarist by the name of Peter Green who would hold a legendary status among guitar players the world over. In fact, the same reverence was held in reserve for Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Mick Taylor.

Fleetwood Mac sold boatloads of albums in the U.K. and the world over, of course. But the blues years were forgotten by many. Moreover, fans who discovered Fleetwood Mac in the mid 70’s did not even realize that they sprang from blues roots. Oh Well Part 1, became the first single ever to become a number one single all over Europe. Albatross reached the number one spot in the UK in 1969. Four years later, they released it a second time as a single and this time it reached number 2!

The Fortunes

Emerging as a vocal trio in Birmingham and evolving into a five-piece, they had Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway to thank for many of their bigger successes through to the 70’s.

Caroline was a minor hit but given much greater prominence after pirate ship Radio Caroline adopted it as their own. You’ve Got Your Troubles and Here It Comes Again followed of course. Their 70’s hits included Storm In A Teacup, Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again and Freedom Come Freedom Go.

The Hollies

In 2010, The Hollies were honoured by the prestigious American Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame for their impact on the evolution of popular music. The Hollies formed in Manchester in the early 1960s, though most of the band members are from throughout East Lancashire.

We remember this band best for their distinctive vocal harmony style, of course. Indeed, this style ensured they became one of the leading British groups of the 1960s and 1970s.

The Hollies original members included Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks, Eric Haydock and Don Rathbone. Rathbone was replaced by Bobby Elliot in 1963. Obviously, their hits included, Here I go again, I’m Alive, Bus Stop, Carrie-Anne and He Ain’t Heavy He’s My brother.

Sunderland Music Scene In The Sixties, Part 2 is here.

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