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
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.
5. Traffic
Traffic were formed by by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Maso in the late 1960s. Their album John Barleycorn Must Die became the band's comeback album. It became the band's biggest success in the United States to that point, reaching number 5.
6. Slade
Two local bands have two of the best selling UK singles of all-time. 'Come on Eileen' by Dexys Midnight Runners is the 48th best-selling single of all-time, with Slade's 'Merry Xmas Everybody' the 69th. The members of Slade all hail from the West Midlands, with lead singer Noddy Holder from Walsall and Dave Hill from Wolverhampton. They formed in 1967 rose to prominence during the glam rock era in the early achieving 17 consecutive top 20 hits and six number ones on the UK Singles Chart
7. The Rockin' Berries
The Rockin' Berries were a beat group from Birmingham, who had several hit records in the UK in the 1960s. They were originally formed as a beat group at Turves Green School in the 50s. An early keyboard player with the group was Christine Perfect, later Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac, of course Photo: ©Sheffield Newspapers Ltd
8. World of OZ
World of Oz were a psychedelic pop band from the 1960s. The band formed in January 1968 in Birmingham by Chris Evans and David Reay who recruited David 'Kubie' Kubinec and Tony Clarkson. Their song, "The Muffin Man" was released on 3 May 1968, and it was a minor hit in the UK