Was America a Musical Wasteland in the ‘60s?
It’s tempting to think that America was devoid of any good musicians in the ’60s. But that wasn’t the case. The Beach Boys topped the charts with their iconic Surfin’ U.S.A. (1963), and Motown Records released catchy, soulful songs by artists like The Temptations and The Supremes.
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There was a vibrant music scene at the time, and the radio burst with original material. If anything, it was the U.K. who drew inspiration from the U.S. – Hot 100 music charts in England had Elvis, Pat Boone, and Ray Charles right at the top of their list.