"The History Of Rock: 1966" by the Editors of Uncut Magazine
February 2, 2023
Something happened in 1964, and maybe it was when I turned ten and became aware of the music and pop culture around me. To my ears, '64 was full of vibrant music made by people with odd accents. It was the first time in my life that I realized that there was music being made that appealed to me, and not only that, and perhaps even more important, it came from another culture. By 1966, I was introduced to the word and aesthetic of "sophistication."
"The History of Rock" is a monthly publication published and edited by Uncut Magazine. They used the archives of New Musical Express and Melody Maker regarding contemporary music at that time. It started with "1965," and I just finished reading the entire issue of "1966." I had read so many books and articles dealing with the British invasion that in this late stage of my life, it was refreshing to read archival material when things were happening or in proper English as it happened.
The Rolling Stones and The Beatles were at their dizzy heights of making incredible recordings and being the prince (Stones) and King (Beatles) of the pop world at the time. The beauty of this magazine is obtaining the journalist's role at this time. I think most were mostly press relations and worked not only for the music papers but also for the artists. So, one does not get critical attacks but mostly acknowledgment and, of course, praise. It is ironic that at this moment in time in the U.K., great music was being produced by all sorts of bands and artists: Donovan was making great recordings with Mickie Most, and The Small Faces were getting more sophisticated as they entered the Andrew Loog Oldham world, and the Fab Four was spending more time in the recording studio, where one gets the fantastic "Revolver.” Due to the times, Brian Jones was adding more exotic instrumentation to the Stones' recordings, which made their masterpiece "Aftermath" such a classic and brilliant album. Even shit records produced in England were, at the very least, good-constructed pop.
Also, UK readers and listeners fully accepted the genius of Roy Orbison, early Simon & Garfunkel, and the beautiful Beach Boys. It seemed, for once, that the UK and the U.S. were in-tuned at the same time and place. A pop utopia took place, and ears were stretched out to the West Coast to India. "The History of Rock" 1966" captures that series of moments as it happened. Also, great photographs, and this is a perfectly designed magazine.