The 1960s was a seminal year for music in the UK.
The decade was a watershed for the industry, with a number of great British bands helping to change the face of popular music. It was a decade where The Beatles shot to fame in the UK and Amercia, with other English groups such as The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and The Who also seeing huge success.
In Birmingham, the city was starting to rapidly change in the post-war years with many still suffering from poverty. The city centre looks a lot different these days with New Street Station being completely rebuilt. The car industry was key and celebrations for the millionth and two millionth minis made at Longbridge were held.
There were also a number of brilliant bands which emerged from Birmingham. Here is a look back at some of the best local bands to come out of Birmingham and West Midlands during the era
1. The Spencer Davis Group
The Spencer Davis Group, fronted by Stevie Winwood was one of the key bands to emerge from the city in the early 1960s. The group's best known songs include the UK No. 1 hits "Keep on Running" and "Somebody Help Me" and the UK and US Top 10 hits "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "I'm a Man"
2. The Move
The Move scored nine top 20 UK singles in five years, but were among the most popular British bands not to find any real success in the United States. Carl Wayne was the lead singer of the group, with Roy Wood also a member
3. The Moody Blues
The Blues formed in Birmingham in 1964. The band initially consisted of drummer Graeme Edge, guitarist and vocalist Denny Laine, and keyboardist and vocalist Mike Pinder. The band came to prominence with the UK No. 1 and US Top 10 single "Go Now" in late 1964/early 1965. The group released six more albums and toured extensively until they went on hiatus in 1974
4. Led Zeppelin
Ok, so Zeppelin aren't from Birmingham, but half of the the group's members do hail from the West Midlands region. Robert Plant is from West Bromwich, and legendary drummer John Bonham was born and raised in nearby Redditch. The band also played many shows in Birmingham during their early days. Their 1969 debut, Led Zeppelin, was a top-ten album in several countries and featured such tracks as "Good Times Bad Times", "Dazed and Confused" and "Communication Breakdown". Led Zeppelin II, released in 69, was their first number-one album Photo: Jodie Jeynes