Girl Groups of the 1960s

HISTORY

As the counterpart to the iconic boy's band, the “girl group” is most basically a group of girls. Yet the girl group has made a unique impact  specifically on, the American, and some of European musical culture. Although there have been very successful female singers in the past, and few girl groups that rose to fame, it wasn't until the late 1950s and early 1960s, that dominantly female bands took off. With a decline in popularity with Rock and Roll, Doo-Wop (the use of vocal harmonization, combined with a simple beat and lyrics) was still highly influential starting in the early 1940s, and originating (like the dance Lindy Hop in Harlem) in African American communities in Los Angeles. Furthermore, evidence of this style can be seen as early as World War II when the Andrew Sisters entertained the Allies, to the British Invasion of the Beatles, to the late 1970s with Disco.

IMPACT ON CIVIL RIGHTS

Girl Groups also formed a base in the second wave of feminism in the early 1960s, showing that women can pursue artistic careers as well as men. Before the 1960s, female artists were mostly in their teens or twenties, focusing on one time hits, and then quickly lose steam when public interest diminished. Because of this, Female artist were rarely taken seriously for long term-professional careers.  Not only were the first 1960s Girl Groups female, many of the best known groups such as The Shirelles and the The Supremes, were African American, not only giving support for female, but also African American Civil Rights.

The impact of girl groups, not entirely, but in part, helped promote, and gather support for the civil rights movements of the 1960s. Of course they also created hits that have lasted into the new millennium. These girl groups show how much of an impact that music can have on culture, how it can promote Civil Rights, or even anti-war sentiment such as the Vietnam War.

YOUTUBE - Scottbradleelovesya

Lastly I would like to help give some attention to Scott Bradlee Lovesya Youtube channel, taking modern songs, and giving them amazing touch from the past. This is just one example of how they have made popular songs like Burn from the modern era, have the look and feel from another time.