10 Timeless Blues Rock Songs of the 1960s
The 1960s was a decade marked by cultural revolution, social upheaval, and a significant transformation in music. Among the many genres that flourished during this period, blues rock emerged as a powerful fusion of traditional blues with the electrifying energy of rock and roll. The result was a sound that captivated audiences and influenced generations of musicians to come.
Here are 10 timeless blues rock songs that helped define the 1960s.
Cream: “Crossroads” (1966)
Originally written and performed by blues legend Robert Johnson, Cream’s rendition of “Crossroads” revitalized the track with raw energy and electrifying solos, making it a cornerstone of the genre. It’s an unforgettable anthem that showcases Eric Clapton’s virtuoso guitar skills. It also led to many other artists covering the classic song.
Albert King: “Born Under a Bad Sign” (1967)
Penned by William Bell and Booker T. Jones, “Born Under a Bad Sign” became a signature song for blues icon Albert King. It was the title track for King’s 1967 released album on Stax Records. With its gritty guitar riffs and soulful vocals, this track epitomizes the fusion of blues and rock that defined the era. To this day, it’s still one of the most popular songs covered by blues rock bands around the globe.
B.B. King: “The Thrill Is Gone” (1969)
B.B. King’s “The Thrill is Gone” is a haunting masterpiece that showcases the emotional depth of the blues. With its soulful vocals and searing guitar licks, this iconic track resonated with audiences and cemented King’s status as a blues legend. It is B.B. King’s signature song and was released in the final month of 1969 capping off an incredible decade of music. Like many songs on the list, it’s been covered by countless blues artists.
Led Zeppelin: “Heartbreaker” (1969)
“Heartbreaker” by Led Zeppelin is a blistering blues rock anthem featuring Jimmy Page’s iconic guitar riff and Robert Plant’s powerful vocals. The song’s dynamic energy and intense instrumentation showcase the band’s unparalleled musicianship, solidifying their status as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience: “All Along the Watchtower” (1968)
Originally written by Bob Dylan, “All Along the Watchtower” took on a new life with Jimi Hendrix’s electrifying cover. With its psychedelic soundscapes and Hendrix’s iconic guitar wizardry, this rendition pushed the boundaries of blues rock and became an anthem of the counterculture movement. The song has been featured in multiple films including Forrest Gump.
The Rolling Stones: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965)
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, this iconic track by The Rolling Stones captures the essence of blues rock rebellion with its infectious riff and defiant lyrics. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” became an anthem for a generation, embodying the restless spirit of the 1960s counterculture movement. Not only is it considered a timeless blues rock song it’s also one of music’s most recognizable tunes.
Fleetwood Mac: “Oh Well” (1969)
Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well” is a blues-infused rocker that showcases the band’s versatility and talent. With its driving rhythm and gritty guitar work, “Oh Well” stands as a testament to the enduring influence of blues on rock music. Written by guitarist/singer Peter Green, “Oh Well” was recorded in two parts with an A-side and a B-side.
Big Brother and the Holding Company and Janis Joplin: “Piece of My Heart” (1968)
Janis Joplin’s raw and impassioned vocals on “Piece of My Heart” make it an all-time classic blues rock song. With its soulful intensity and electrifying energy, this track remains a timeless classic of the era. The song was originally recorded by Erma Franklin in 1967 and then became a big hit when Big Brother and the Holding Company released its version the following year.
The Allman Brothers Band: “Whipping Post” (1969)
1969’s “Whipping Post” was from the Allman Brothers Band’s self-titled debut album. It’s an epic blues rock track featuring Duane Allman’s searing guitar and Gregg Allman’s soulful vocals. The song’s emotional intensity and dynamic arrangement make it a standout in the band’s catalog and a classic of the genre.
Creedence Clearwater Revival: “Fortunate Son” (1969)
“Fortunate Son” is a searing indictment of the Vietnam War and the inequalities of American society. With its driving rhythm and scathing lyrics, this blues rock classic became a rallying cry for the anti-war movement and remains relevant to this day. It was featured on CCR’s fourth album, Willy and the Poor Boys.
As this article’s subject is Blues-Rock (as opposed to traditional Blues) , Johnny Winter’s version of “Highway 61 Revisited”, released in 1969, is an enduring Blues-rock classic, and would be in my personal Top 5.
Yes , everybody leaves out Johnny Winter ! Pretty sad when one of the best is always excluded !
This is a very true statement about Johnny Winter
You are spot on.
Can you believe that on Rolling Stones last listing of the best 250 guitarists Johnny was #163. What morons compile these lists?
Rolling Stone magazine hasn’t been relevant since the mid-1980s.
It became a political mechanism, instead of a contemporary music review magazine, and a printed medium of the general youth culture of those times.
I can state this as I was an annual subscriber for those first 16 or so years.
Regarding Johnny Winter, I had seen him in concert at least six times before his passing, mostly close-up, and Johnny’s string-pressing and fretwork technique was/is unique amongst all guitarists, past or present.
At an absolute minimum, Johnny Winter should be in the Top 25, whether playing Rock, Rock and Roll, Blues-Rock, or Traditional Blues.
R.I.P. Texas Tornado ????️
(To curtail questions; the ???? was to indicate that Johnny Winter and his music will endure, even after his passing, 10 years ago).
7 out of 10, but U r selecting West of the Meridian, & I have lived(school days) + lots of visits eastern & western US, seaboards. I still Support “live” music going to gigs Liverpool & Manchester. I breath the blues in my blood+we have a 5* blues club close to Wrexham, stay all the way with the blues+++. Thanks 4 yr site
What about The Animals’ House of the Rising Son?
Good call
I prefer House of the rising SUN myself, but it is still a goodie.
Albert and BB are great!! But they ARE blues musicians no blues/rock covers from those guys! What about SRV? Grateful Dead? Rory Gallagher, Roy Buchanan??
Eric Budon and Animals
Rules
SRV wouldn’t have even been 16 when the 60s ended. (He was born in October of 1954.) He was amazing, but doesn’t belong on list that is limited to the 1960s.
indeed!
in fairness to the article’s theme (1960s Blues-Rock), Roy Buchanan and Rory Gallagher (with the exception of Rory’s/Taste’s “Taste” album in 1969) , Roy and Rory did not release albums until the early 1970s, and Stevie Ray Vaughn’s debut album was released in 1983 > and with full disclaimer, I admire their virtuosity, and all three of them are constantly in play at my home, to this day.
Where does it say Duane Allman played slide on Whipping Post?
Duane Allman does NOT play slide on Whipping Post
Talking about Animals think you gotta go with “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” or “It’s My Life.” Lots of similar discussion on Classic Rock Forever dot com
Boom boom boom, dimplesnot sure if the title is right but i think ìts called im crying. Anyone know what song I’m talking about
Yes,I do and it’s one of my favourite Animal tracks and possibly the the last hit that Alan Price played on.After the success of “Rising Sun”it was a comparative “failure”but it was a driving,punchy rocker for sure.
How can “Äll Your Love” by John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers not be on this list?
John Mayall was predominantly English and these lists are written by an American who has to their own likes. Many of these things omit some great music.
Funny, Fleetwood Mac is British, and founder Peter Green, as well as Fleetwood and McVie(Mac) were previously with John Mayall.
WHAT? NO CARLOS SANTANA? YOU’D PUT CCR IN FRONT OF CARLOS? YOU’RE A JOKE…..
garlandj25@yahoo.com
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Changed the attitude of a nation to Nixon’s war and did much to help end it. Still today the song and its biting lyrics are relevant and so fresh. CCR so underrated and yet their music is timeless; to young and old. I think what makes the band so great is they only lasted a few short years, then they were history. Not for them endless final tours and last farewells like a certain lA band.
Couldn’t agree more
You are the joke! CCR is a much more relevant and influential band than Santana! Just pick any 100 greatest rock bands list and CCR will be always above Santana.
“Fool for the City “, Foghat.
“Fool For The City”” by Foghat, was released in 1975, not the 1960’s.
One of my favorite jams of all-time though, especially the “Foghat Live” version.
Santana is one of my favorite guitar masters
(I have nearly every album), however, his/their debut album wasn’t released until August, 1969, right about the same week they were performing at Woodstock.
Santana’s albums commencing with the 1970s certainly demonstrated examples of blues-rock, but the debut album (excellent as it is) did not seem to exhibit blues-rock influences.
Some of My Favs from the 60s:
Born in Chicago – Paul Butterfield Blues Band, 1965
Stop – Super Sessions 1969
Leaving Trunk – Taj Mahal 1968
Lost Woman – Yardbirds 1966
Rock my Plimsoul – Jeff Beck 1968
Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the best!
Quite the contentious list.
All songs are excellent, if a little mainstream.
Although these were all songs that got us into blues rock, so are most definitely relevant.
How about a top 100 as voted by the readers?
My vote would be “Dealing with the Devil’ by Space Blues Rockers : Hawkwind.
( I know: “Space Blues Rockers “? Now we’re getting silly. But worth checking out)
Ten Years After. If You Should Love Me.
Ramblin Man by Allman Bros should be here and Sittin on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Reading!
Funny, Fleetwood Mac is British, and founder Peter Green, as well as Fleetwood and McVie(Mac) were previously with John Mayall.
Rambling Man was country rock and from the 70’s
Many good comments listed here….
Crossroads was recorded in March 1968 at The Fillmore. While much of rock music is blues-based, most of these selections aren’t Blues. All Along The Watchtower? Why not Red House? Fortunate Son? Not really. How about Tombstone Shadow? Piece Of My Heart? Not Ball ‘n Chain?
Why crossroads and not NIB?
Red House and Jumping at Shadows
“Ramblin’ Man” (one of my ABB/Dickie Betts’ favorites as well) was released in 1973.
“Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay”, admittedly a timeless song, is more aligned with the R&B genre, (recorded at Stax Records, with Booker T. And The M.G.s backing him), rather than Blues-Rock.
What about Elvis Presley Hard Luck google it to hear amazing blues number
And Heartbreak Hotel.
CCR?! Give me a break…
Might be more blues and less rock than is typical for the genre but I was hoping to see Boz Scaggs/Duane Allman’s cover of “Loan Me A Dime”. Duane’s solo still gives me shivers.
To Madcitysunshine,
I have this Boz Scaggs album in my collection – and has simply forgotten about it – until you noted it in your post.
I just revisited it this a.m. – and you nailed it.
Thank you for mentioning, and reawakening me to this exceptional LP, and Duane Allman’s unique stylings and string bendings on “Loan Me Dime” from Boz Scaggs’ self-titled album, released in 1969.
Like most of this type of article, it’s full of crap written by someone who has limited experience with the genre. The Blues Project, Paul Butterfield, the Animals, etc. etc. were left out.
Let’s face it guys, this debate will go on for ever.Just enjoy the music that you love and I will leave you with
Politician by Cream.The late, great Jack Bruce on vocals and bass.What more can I say?
Savoy Brown is another overlooked band. Kim Simmonds version of Louisiana Blues off the Blue Matter album still gives me chills. Saw him 5 or 6 times and wore one album out and it’s still not enough.
How about Stormy Monday by The Allman Brothers?
‘Your Time is Going to Come’is better than all but one, ‘All Along the Watchtower’ on this list. One of top four LZ songs with ‘Hey Hey What Can I Do, ‘Rain Song, and ‘Ramble On’. Best song on Best debut album. Both song and album are underrated.
‘Season of the Witch’ off the “Super Session” album might be considered. No?
I’ll be 85 next week,and I grew up listening to the great Freddy King.”Hideaway” such a classic song.Been playing the gutfiddle(guitar) since I was 9.Seen almost every band mentioned in your replying. Rock on and on.
I am a Musician in Ozarks, Branson,Mo. JohnBurns here. Been Performing here since 1989 to present. Am still doing the Trio thing and 4pc. Too. Mostly 65% the Blues & 35% Southern Fried Rock&Roll ! I will only Play & Sing the Blues & So.Rock. Sixty Years Now. Just getting Comfy Now.
Many songs by The Doors and Frank Zappa.
Before putting an artist down, one should listen to what is out there and available to hear. May I suggest that you Google and actually listen to a song by the name of One hundred and ten in the shade? I do not think there is a song any more bluesier then that. And I realize it did not come out in the 60s my point is only to prove that John Fogerty can play the blues as good as any.