Gone Without a Trace: 15 '60s Bands You Forgot About

The 1960s gave us The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Beach Boys-names that feel as timeless as the songs themselves. But here’s the thing: for every legendary act, there were dozens of bands that burned bright, fast, and faded just as quickly. This video is a love letter to those forgotten gems. Join us as we discuss 15 bands from the 1960s you may have almost forgotten about. Let us know in the comments below which one of these was your favorite?
@BackstageClassics #BackstageClassics #RockMusic #1960sRock
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Copyright Disclaimer
We do not fully own the material compiled in this video. It belongs to individuals or organizations that deserve respect.
We use under: Copyright disclaimer section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. "fair use" is allowed for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching. scholarships and research.

[@BackstageClassics]

Hey there, music lover! Don't forget to subscribe to the channel: www.youtube.com/@BackstageClassics?sub_confirmation=1

[@sheilaslowe6340]

I’m 70 years old and I still love and listen to “The Grass Roots”. I have always judged a band by how good they sound live. I seen them along with “The Turtles”, “The Association”, and “Tommy James & the Shondells”. Every one of these groups sounded just as good live. God bless. 🙏🏻

[@kaydailey6384]

I have seen all the bands that you mentioned!!

[@kaydailey6384]

I, too, am 70!!

[@kaydailey6384]

Great album!! Great in concert!

[@farris5918]

Incense and Peppermints by the Strawberry 🍓 Alarm Clock was awesome and I still listen to it this very day. Today is January 15, 2025 .

[@stanellis7805]

I don’t know if you are from that era but thank you for the very thorough and accurate video. I’ve never almost forgotten any of those bands and songs. I can literally remember where I was when every one of those songs were released. Subscribed and looking forward to more. Great job!

[@BackstageClassics]

Thanks man. We appreciate the support and yes the team is from this era.

[@DeborrahSHIFFER]

Being 71 I can remember all these bands. Back when you could actually know what they were saying & singing.

[@BackstageClassics]

Amen.

[@VincentManiscalco]

I was born in 1961. Granted I’m the youngest of 10 ! I remember all these bands. Hopefully people don’t forget one of my favorite bands Badfinger! Such a tragic story

[@BackstageClassics]

We’ll be sure to include Badfinger in one of our next videos! Thank you so much for supporting the channel. Please subscribe if you haven’t already.

[@peachesj4748]

I'm a Gen-Xer who was growing up in the 1980s and 90s. But, I listened to an oldies radio station in my teens in San Diego, California in the 90s. I love these 60s songs. And I didn't know that The Box Top were from Memphis! I'm a Memphian originally.

[@gregjohnson7270]

I fortunately lived in Los Angeles in the 90's when the 60's groups started touring together with 5 groups per concert and I got to see 8 of the groups that you featured and Mark Lindsey of Paul Revere and the Raiders (Paul had unfortunately passed) could still kick his leg (on the song Kicks) up to his chest, I couldn't believe it. And with better amplification equipment sounded better than they did in the 60's. AND, I was fortunate to see Davy Jones with the Monkees before he passed. Jefferson Airplane, Steppenwolf and Iron Butterfly were especially good. I didn't get to see the Beatles but Paul McCartney peppers his concerts with Beatles hits, and on one occasion when I saw him, he played the medley from the B side of Abbey Road, we went crazy! SO much great music and memories.

[@CrankyBeach]

I have not forgotten The Grass Roots or The Turtles. Those are my two favorites. I do remember every one of the other bands on the list, and in fact saw a late 1980s version of The Box Tops at an outdoor concert I won tickets to on the radio. The opening band was a local popular cover band called Daddy-O. Next was The Box Tops. The headliner was The Drifters. One of the most fun parts of that day was that nobody was dancing until my friend and I got out there and started dancing. By the end of the song (whatever it was) the dance floor was completely full. Oh, and y'all left out The Tokens. I saw a version of them in the 90s. Great fun. They were essentially a one-hit wonder, so the rest of their set was a lot of well-performed covers of vintage rock 'n' roll.

[@BackstageClassics]

Good to know! We’ll include The Tokens in one of our next videos! Thanks for your support and please subscribe if you haven’t already.

[@guineapiglady2841]

There are some that I NEVER heard of at all!

[@JohnGodson-v2e]

Tom,,I agree with you Guess Who , they were brilliant.

[@ilunga146]

The Left Banke ("Walk Away, Renee"; "Pretty Ballerina") belong on this list more than the Rascals or Tommy James. Incidentally, the Rascals' first release was "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore."

[@laurelbengochea2937]

I always loved Paul Revere and the raiders were one of my favorites😊

[@GVHCVH]

I lived through all those days. Thank you for sharing the backgrounds of the groups involved.

[@BackstageClassics]

Thank you for supporting the channel! We appreciate it.

[@rolo1955]

"It's almost criminal how overlooked Paul Revere and the Raiders are today" is right. I grew up in the 60's and they were everywhere. They scored with 20 top 20 hits including their big number one in 1971 with "Indian Reservation" that out sold any other act in the history of the record lable (Columbia) not to mention the lead Singer Mark Lindsay's solo career with hits like "Arizona" and "Silverbird" which was used in the Netflix movie "Gray Man" Maybe you could do a part two and include: Gary Lewis and the Playboys, The Bickinhams, Bill deal and the Rhondells, Booker T and the MGs, And the group Love!

[@LeenGeoLela]

Good work, keep on archiving creatively

[@BackstageClassics]

Thanks! We appreciate the support. :)

[@Inupiaq89]

Thank you for these blasts from the past. Speaking just for myself, I’d nominate The Lovin Spoonful for legitimate classic status. “Summer in the City” is sheer poetry. The Rascals’ discography has landed them in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, hardly a hangout for flash-in-the-pan one-hit wonders. As regards The Association, three platinum hits put them in another category from most of the other “forgotten” bands of the ‘sixties. But I enjoyed the brief excursion through the domain of Top 40 A.M. radio. Thank you for your work in setting all this up.

[@BackstageClassics]

And we thank YOU for watching and are happy to hear you enjoyed the video! We hear all of your suggestions and are definitely adding them to our running list. Happy to cover those in future videos. Please subscribe if you haven’t already!

[@bobbest8627]

Very nice video… nice to relive those wonderful years. I was about eight years old when these guys were hot… I think I had records by almost all the bands you mentioned. Big grassroots fan. Anybody remember the Seeds “your pushin to hard”?

[@BackstageClassics]

We are glad you enjoyed the video and thank you so much for your support. We’ll add your last suggestion to list of songs to cover!

[@JamesHash-o3z]

I m not mentally challenged. As long as I live they live.

[@cronejawford978]

The Strawberry Alarm Clock's guitarist Ed King went on to join Lynyrd Skynyrd. King wrote the music to "Sweet Home Alabama" among other hits.

[@janleslie7163]

I didn't know that, thanks for the info 👍

[@terrygorsch386]

Blues Magoo's rocked ,way ahead of the time 👍🎸

[@cronejawford978]

Even though they were from the 60s, Paul Revere and the Raiders had a number one hit with "Indian Reservation" in the summer of 1971.

[@petejones879]

I don't think that any music lover has forgotten about these bands.. Maybe it's just you.. The person that has put this video clip together?

[@StarstruckByLondon]

Don’t be a jerk. Just enjoy the free content.

[@BackstageClassics]

Nope. We haven’t forgotten… But newer generations surely have. We are here to revive the spirit of the 70s/80s….

[@stephensuddick1896]

You are asking an AI narrator.

[@StarstruckByLondon]

@@stephensuddick1896 😂😂

[@edgarsnake2857]

It's not easy to make a hit record. Bands and artists that do it over decades are few and far between. Thanks for reminding us of all of these notable groups.

[@BackstageClassics]

You’re welcome! Thank you for watching. We appreciate the support. Please subscribe to the channel if you haven’t already. It would mean a lot to us.

[@TomEAST-j1u]

All great bands but you forgot about the Guess Who.

[@BackstageClassics]

We’ll be sure to include them on the next one! Thank you for supporting the channel.

[@BeatlesBowieKrimson]

I don't believe that The Guess Who are in the same category as these bands. They put out a lot of albums; they put out a lot of great music; Road Food is one of my Desert Island Discs, and Burton Cummings is still touring.

[@markalberici5137]

They were active in the 70’s and Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman (BTO) are still active today. Should be in R&RHOF

[@charlesfcopeland9756]

Every generation has it's favorite bands. What is popular today will be "old school" and "your parents band favorite" tomorrow. Musicians know you're only as good as your last hit. With the countless number of new groups appearing on the scene every second, record executives have always controlled who stays in the limelight and who is soon overshadowed. Life adds to the problem when a successful band hits a low point but there are still bills to pay so members find other bands or forms of employment.

[@BackstageClassics]

This is true… But man do we miss the old days.

[@MajorWolfgangHochstetter]

Are you related to Aaron?

[@ingridwheeler3180]

The Sixties changed everything about popular music. The Beatles and the Stones opened the door to incredible innovation. Listen to the Billboard lists from 1965 to 1970, and be amazed.

[@BackstageClassics]

We know it! We hope you enjoyed the video and thank you so much for supporting us. Please subscribe if you haven’t!

[@StarstruckByLondon]

Great channel. As a fellow new KZbinr, I wish you the best of luck

[@BackstageClassics]

Thank you! We appreciate the support.

[@milham76]

They were forgotten because they were American. 'Nuff said.

[@patriciasummers8579]

All of them

[@brendagroff8478]

I love the song "Windy".

[@riodejaneiro664]

The Turtles' record company and a bad contract destroyed the band. The contract forbade Mark and Howard from using their own names, hence the names Flo and Eddie.

[@bbbabrock]

For anyone who likes these tunes/bands THE album you ought to check out is the first Nuggets comp compiled by Lenny Kaye. Most of these tunes/bands are on it plus 13th Floor Elavators, Amboy Dukes and over a half dozen more. Compiled in72? I think ,it was the first use of the term "punk rock,- tho there used to describe 60s garage bands rather than the late 70s bands

[@BackstageClassics]

Thanks for sharing! Please subscribe if you haven’t already and thanks for supporting.

[@thPrisoner]

Also to a lesser extent you had the Seeds, Them, the Music Machine, the Count Five, Chocolate Watch Band, Syndicate of Sound, the Kingsmen, the Pretty Things and the list goes on...

[@BackstageClassics]

So many great additions! We are taking notes and will include some of these in upcoming videos! Thank you for your support and please subscribe if you haven’t already.

[@philip2010]

These are all good groups and good songs

[@BackstageClassics]

Thanks man! We appreciate the support. Please subscribe if you haven’t already.

[@williammoore3790]

Flo and Eddie went on to Zappa’s Mothers of Invention

[@IowaHawks875]

I hope they're happy together😮

[@tommyt1357]

The turtles are still around now it’s mark volman and the Ron Dante

[@christopherbradley8776]

The Turtles are still touring lol

[@BackstageClassics]

Yes, we know lol. So wild… Nice to hear they’re still kicking but as we all know, the newer generations haven’t a clue about these gems. Thanks for your support and please subscribe if you haven’t already!

[@lindsaymorrison2366]

Count V, Psychotic Reaction

[@yl9698]

more than a bit oversimplified, but fun nonetheless. thank you...

[@radtek2]

Maybe not nationally renowned they are now known as the Grandfathers of Punk Rock world wide after their rediscovery. Check them out "The Sonics". They were the epitome of the garage band. They started in the early 60's and went against the grain in what was popular at the time.

[@djf750]

What happened to The Dave Clark 5??

[@BackstageClassics]

Thats a good one! We’ll add it to another future video. Thank you for supporting us man. We appreciate it.

[@IowaHawks875]

​@@BackstageClassicsor Deano, Desi, and Billy

[@sludge8506]

How about the Sweet Cream Ladies??

[@LouisCapps-p3z]

The Walker brothers

[@PerArneMoa]

Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind beats Magic by Lovin' Spoonful by a mile.

[@benchampion4086]

The Assoxiation.

[@tommyt1357]

The grassroots are still around same was Paul rever and the raiders and strawberry alam clock became Lenard skinner

[@bttrflygal]

Kenny Rodgers abd the firsr edition? Was he 70s or late 60s

[@richardranke3158]

I saw the First Edition live in 1968.

[@BackstageClassics]

Late 70s.

[@bobbest8627]

I just dropped in to see what condition. My condition was in. I remember watching that. I believe it was on Jonathan Winters variety show he had for a while.

[@bttrflygal]

@bobbest8627 I just barely remember him.with the first edition but they were good

[@MajorWolfgangHochstetter]

The First Edition came out in the late 1960's. Karen Carpenter auditioned to be in that group but for some reason it did not happen. Oh well, The Carpenters were pretty successful. I was not a fan of Kenny Rogers, though I easily admit, the man had talent.

[@tcanders123]

The main issue with most of these bands is they didn't write much if any of their material, & rarely any hits. (Lovin' Spoonful & The Rascals notable exceptions.)

[@JustineLaLoba]

When you post a video about 60's bands why show a picture of a 70's band? lol

[@ilunga146]

I'd rather hear more of the music. You didn't play even one second of the Cyrkle. Stop talking so much.

[@David_Lussier]

How would you explain how the Beach Boys, who were just perfect pop like many of the bands in this list, were able to carry on and end up true legends?

[@sludge8506]

They wrote their own material.

[@paulryan2128]

PR&R made good music, but their costumes and backstory was corny ...

[@cweefy]

They all vanish

[@BackstageClassics]

Unfortunately so…

[@michelekirstoffersen7219]

This is a really bad video.

[@BeatlesBowieKrimson]

I disagree. I liked the video.

[@StarstruckByLondon]

@@BeatlesBowieKrimson Michael’s childish comment is an interaction for the channel, which is gold. The idiot only helped with his two cents 😂😂😂

[@nztrekker]

@@StarstruckByLondon How is his comment "childish?" I was a radio DJ on my college radio station in the late '60s and early '70s. I played most of these tunes on my Top 40 shows; also did classical music, easy listening, and jazz shows. I can see that some of the research for this video is faulty. One example, Paul Revere & the Raiders; under the name Raiders; continued to have hits into the '70s, like 'Indian Reservation.' Some of these bands remain active today, an example being the Cyrkle. Red Rubber Ball, by the way, was co-written by Bruce Woodley of the Seekers, and Paul Simon. One can see bands like these, often with a couple original members still playing, on the various oldies concert circuits.

[@bobbest8627]

I don’t think his comment is childish as much as it is just negative. I enjoyed this video… These bands are kinda forgotten. In other words, they are not in the forefront of our minds anymore. I do remember these bands very well, but don’t necessarily think about them or hear them played much anymore. I enjoyed this video because it made me think “oh yeah “ I remember that. I believe I’ve owned records by most these bands when I was a kid. This video was a nice little reminder… i’m sure it is easy to to pick little things that aren’t exactly perfect, but I’m sure they’ll improve as the channel evolves. And I wish them well with their channel. I will subscribe.