10 Unforgettable Blues Rock Bands of the 1960s
The 1960s was a transformative decade for music, giving rise to a host of bands that fused the raw emotion of blues with the electrifying energy of rock. Blues rock emerged as a powerful genre, with bands from both sides of the Atlantic taking inspiration from the blues greats and reinterpreting the sound for a new generation. Here are ten unforgettable blues rock bands that made their mark in the 1960s and helped shape the genre’s future.
The Yardbirds
Formed in 1963, the Yardbirds were one of the most innovative and influential bands of the 1960s, serving as a breeding ground for guitar legends Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. Their fusion of traditional blues with experimental rock made them pioneers in the genre. Songs like “For Your Love” and “Heart Full of Soul” showcased their ability to push the boundaries of blues while staying true to its roots. The band’s groundbreaking guitar work and willingness to experiment laid the foundation for future blues rock acts.
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers became a launching pad for some of the greatest musicians of the era, including Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor. Their seminal album Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton aka “The Beano Album” (1966) helped popularize the electric blues sound in Britain. Mayall’s vision and leadership brought authenticity to the British blues explosion. The band’s commitment to honoring traditional blues while injecting youthful energy resonated with fans and musicians alike.
Cream
Cream, often regarded as rock’s first supergroup, brought together Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker in a fusion of blues and psychedelic rock. With albums like Disraeli Gears (1967) and Wheels of Fire (1968), the trio delivered classics such as “Sunshine of Your Love” and their take on “Crossroads,” which is often emulated. Their improvisational style, particularly in live performances, pushed the boundaries of blues rock. Cream’s ability to blend technical brilliance with raw emotion made them icons of the genre.
The Rolling Stones
While The Rolling Stones became synonymous with rock ‘n’ roll, their roots were firmly planted in the blues. Early albums like The Rolling Stones (1964) and Out of Our Heads (1965) featured covers of blues standards by legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. Mick Jagger’s swagger and Keith Richards’ gritty riffs captured the rebellious spirit of the blues. The band’s dedication to bringing the blues to mainstream audiences made them one of the most significant blues rock acts of the decade. Amazingly, the Rolling Stones are still going strong six decades later.
Fleetwood Mac
Long before their pop success, Fleetwood Mac was a powerhouse of British blues led by the extraordinary Peter Green. Hits such as “Albatross” and “Black Magic Woman” showcased Green’s emotive guitar playing and songwriting. The band’s ability to balance delicate melodies with raw blues power made them stand out. Green’s influence on blues rock remains profound, with many guitarists citing him as an inspiration.
The Animals
Led by Eric Burdon’s soulful voice, The Animals brought a gritty, working-class edge to the British blues rock scene. Their breakout hit “House of the Rising Sun” became an international sensation, blending traditional folk-blues with rock dynamics. The band’s interpretations of blues standards like “Boom Boom” and “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” resonated with a wide audience. Their ability to infuse blues with rock energy helped make the genre more accessible to mainstream listeners.
Canned Heat
Canned Heat emerged from the Los Angeles blues scene, blending traditional blues with boogie-woogie rhythms and a psychedelic edge. Their performance at Woodstock in 1969, featuring songs like “On the Road Again” and “Going Up the Country,” cemented their status as blues rock legends. Known for their deep respect for blues tradition, the band also had a knack for creating infectious grooves. Canned Heat’s passionate approach to the blues made them a staple of the late 1960s counterculture.
Big Brother and the Holding Company
Fronted by the powerhouse vocals of Janis Joplin, Big Brother and the Holding Company became icons of the San Francisco music scene. Their breakthrough album Cheap Thrills (1968) delivered unforgettable blues rock classics like “Piece of My Heart” and “Summertime.” The band’s raw, psychedelic edge combined with Joplin’s emotive delivery made them a standout act. Big Brother and the Holding Company helped bridge the gap between blues rock and the burgeoning counterculture movement.
Ten Years After
Fronted by the lightning-fast guitar work of Alvin Lee, Ten Years After made a name for themselves in the late 1960s. Their explosive performance at Woodstock, particularly on “I’m Going Home,” showcased their high-energy blues rock style. Albums like Stonedhenge (1969) demonstrated their ability to blend traditional blues with forward-thinking rock. The band’s blend of technical skill and raw emotion made them a standout act during the decade.
Jeff Beck Group
With Jeff Beck’s innovative guitar work and Rod Stewart’s raspy vocals, the Jeff Beck Group delivered a unique take on blues rock. The Jeff Beck group featured fiery reinterpretations of blues standards and original compositions. Beck’s ability to push the limits of guitar tones and techniques was groundbreaking. The band’s raw energy and dynamic performances earned them a place as one of the decade’s most influential acts.
Can’t believe you expect us to take you serious, when Savoy Brown is not mentioned.
Savoy Brown definitely, and probably the Groundhogs too.
Hell yes to Groundhogs&Savoy Browncha
I roadied for the Groundhogs occasionally. Tony Mcfee’s white strat was my favourite
Canned Heat was a consideration I would hope.
Fuck yeah
👏 I think the originators of these lists are 30, I saw one the other day listing Joni Mitchell as one of the top ten guitarist in rock. They have no ide who Kim Simmons is.
What does age have to do with it? I’m 53 and I don’t know who Kim Simmons is.
Founder and lead guitar for Savoy Brown, one of the greatest blues rock bands ever!
Yes definitely !! No Savoy Brown, worthless article
Did Savoy Brown turn into Foghat? They were amazing!
They’re the same people who put Kurt Cobain on every “greatest guitarist ever” list, but leave Glen Campbell and Terry Kath off.
Excellent observation! Liked Humble Pie too.
Absolutely
AGREE!!!!
Kim Simmonds is one of the most under appreciated blues guitarists of the 60s/70s.
Alex’s Korna and Cyril Davis “Blues Incorporated”
Thee first and most important group of the lot.
Circa early sixties featuring amongst many Jack Bruce – Long John Baldrey
What about the Rick Nelson Blues Band awesome. Especially the song My Buckets Got a Hole in it.
A shout for the Groundhogs
The Mighty Groundhogs
Make that a BIG shout. Ken Pustelnik is making sure the music isn’t forgotten. Ken Pustelnik’s Groundhogs are till playing, and well worth looking for, as is his side band Snatch It Back.
Not sure I agree with the Mayall pick. If anything his music was pure blues, with very little rock in it. I think you need to rethink the idea of ‘blues rock’ from back then, as the two genres were very different until much later.
No Chicken Shack???????????????????
I know…… And no mention of Christine McVie.. aka Christine Perfect.. when mentioning Fleetwood Mac. History of the British Blues volumes I and 2 were dynamite albums!
Forgot Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher.
Amen Tom? And what about Jimi Hendrix?
You got that right!
Paul Butterfield Blues Band, J. Geils Band and the Spencer Davis Group would all like to have a word with you.
Any list that doesn’t include Spinal Tap is in serious trouble.
Robin Trower as well should be listed here.
Saw 10 years after live in Nottingham 1970? Alvin Lee in his home town. Brilliant gig with Blodwyn Pig and Stone the Crows
On the tail end of the 60s? The Allman Brothers Band, one of the most talented and influential rock-blues bands. Songs like Cross to bear, Statesboro Blues and One Way Out, are outstanding!
Spot on!
100% agree
Ain’t that true, great musicians, great songs,few could play as good.
Live at Fillmore East ,superb recording,
No Spinal Tap?
What about the Chicago Climax Blues Band, or Graham Bond Band.
Graham Bond Organisation was the most influential groups of the early 60’s, watch the YouTube video. Forget the Beatles, what about The Undertakers, The Prettythings to name a couple!!
What a joke I’m looking for real Blues they are all rock except for John Mayall and maybe Alvin Lee.The rest were influenced by real Blues artists
Right on !
What about Paul Butterfield blues band ?
Thanks for mentioning Butterfield old original band featuring Mike Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop, drummer Sam Ĺay plus Butterfield on Harp and Gerome Arnold on bass!!!…saw the original group intact at the Fillmore in San Fran around 1965 …
They tore that old house down…can still here The intense riffs from Bloomfields guitar coming at you like a tornado!!!!!
What about Taste…….why are they not mentioned?
Good call. Rory Gallagher was phenomenal. Also Roy Buchanan.
I wholeheartedly agree with the Jeff Beck group. There is no question they should be in the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame.
If it’s about quality not quantity, the Doors should be in this list
I walked into a packed pool hall with a juke box. Put on Cars hiss by my window by the doors, walked out, and all I could hear on the way out were the footsteps of guys running to the jukebox to get that number. True story
What about Lawrence welk’s band during those times when he made them wear blue suits while having to watch what what play the accordion on polka
numbers…… That is ’60s blues defined
FREE
Little Feat – some of the tastiest blues rock ever and rarely gets mentioned.
This article is about influential blues-rock artists recording in the 1960s.
Little Feat’s first album release was in 1971, with the self-titled debut LP “Little Feat”.
Blues Project
Aĺ Kooper- founding member of Blood, Sweat and Teats
How about The Colwell Winfield blues band?
Blodwyn pig. Early Manfred Mann.
Where’s Stone the Crows? Maggie Bell was pure blues!
What about Free?! Cited as one of the first influential blues rock bands.
Why isn’t Led Zeppelin on the list,especially if you include Jeff Beck Group? Beck wept when he heard Zeppelin’s version of You Shook Me.
Yardbirds begat Led Zeppelin
Um SRV, HELLO?
This article is about influential blues-rock artists recording in the 1960s.
Stevie Ray Vaughn’s first LP release was in 1983, with “Texas Flood”
Michael Bloomfield was the mout talented blues guitarist of the era, and Paul Butterfield’s harp magnificent.
Definitely
Savoy Brown
Allmans (first album)
Paul Butterfield
Little Feat
Free
Cream but not the Jimi Hendrix Experience? SMH!
Golden Earring!
How many Albums! Many!
How about Credence!?
Yeah Credence. Rory G. Foghat. Grease band.
Absolutely
Savoy Brown, but only the version with Chris Youlden.
Paul Butterfield Blues Band was America’s answer tot the Rolling Stones.
Allman Brothers were late entries to the 60’s.
And please don’t forget the 3 great albums that Taj Mahal recorded in the late 60s.
Yes. My vote for them. Al Kooper founding member of Blood. Sweat and Tears
Allman Bros. are my favorite too
Alex’s Korna and Cyril Davis “Blues Incorporated”
Thee first and most important group of the lot.
Circa early sixties featuring amongst many Jack Bruce – Long John Baldrey
Duster Bennet. One man blues band.
Chicken Shack, as in:
I’ve got the Fleetwood Mac, Chicken Shack, John Mayall can’t fail blues.
“I’d rather go blind” alone is surely enough to elevate them to these ranks?
Alvin Lee was the best guitarist to have ever walked this earth
No mention of Janis Joplin. She was the singer with Big Brother and the Holding Company. She made the sound great!!!!S
Listen to “Its a beautiful day”, live at carngie hall. Listen to “quicksilver” live, Happy trails. If that dosne’t raise your blood, you have been dead 6 months.
All things considered, best 10 doesn’t cover the amount of talent around in the 60s. Best 50 maybe. What a time for music. No other era comes close.😀. Peter Green though, top of the heap.