16 of the biggest selling artists from the 60s
They released some great songs!
Last updated 13th Sep 2024
The 60s... the decade that gave us The Mamas & The Papas' 'California Dreamin'', Petula Clark's 'Downtown' and Simon & Garfunkel's 'Mrs Robinson', it also gave us huge songs from the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley.
The biggest selling artists from the 60s:
The Everly Brothers
Brothers Don and Phil released their Top 10 hit 'Bye Bye Love' back in 1957, but it was in the 60s that they had huge success with the likes of their Number 1 songs, 'Cathy's Clown', 'Walk Right Back'/'Ebony Eyes', and 'Temptation'.
Frank Ifield
Frank Ifield had huge success in the 60s with Number 1 songs such as 'I Remember You', 'Lovesick Blues', 'The Wayward Wind', and 'Confessin' (That I Love You)', as well as many other Top 40 hits.
Ken Dodd
Throughout the 60s Ken Dodd released a number of songs, including 'Love Is Like a Violin', 'Promises' and 'Tears' which was a Number 1 hit. Ken's version of 'Love Is Like a Violin' was used in the 2021 Disney film Cruella.
The Righteous Brothers
American duo The Righteous Brothers, with the original line-up of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield, formed in 1963 and released hits such as 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', 'Unchained Melody', '(You're My) Soul and Inspiration' and 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin''.
Bobby was a member of the band until his sad death in 2003. The Righteous Brothers continue to this day with Bucky Heard joining in 2016.
Engelbert Humperdinck
Releasing his Number 1 single 'Release Me (and Let Me Love Again)' in 1967, Engelbert Humperdinck had huge success in the 60s with songs such as 'The Last Waltz', 'Am I That Easy to Forget', 'A Man Without Love' and 'Les Bicyclettes de Belsize'.
Elvis Presley
The King of Rock and Roll needs no introduction. Elvis Presley first started releasing music in 1954, but in the 60s he had success with 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?', 'Can't Help Falling in Love', 'Good Luck Charm', and 'Return to Sender'.
The Archies
The Archies were a fictional rock band, associated with Archies Comics and the animated TV series The Archie Show. The band released 'Bang-Shang-A-Lang' and 'Sugar, Sugar' in the 60s, and have had a varied line-up throughout the decades since.
Gerry and the Pacemakers
Gerry and the Pacemakers, consisting of Gerry Marsden, his brother Fred, Les Chadwick, and Arthur McMahon, formed back in 1956. They had a a string of hits in the 60s, including 'How Do You Do It?', 'I Like It', 'You'll Never Walk Alone', 'I'm the One', and 'Ferry Cross the Mersey'.
Mr Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band
Mr Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band released a number of songs in the 60s including 'Summer Set', 'Buona Sera' and 'Stranger on the Shore' which became the UK's biggest selling single of 1962!
The Tornados
The Tornados had huge success with 'Telstar' in 1962, which was also the name of their EP, named after a satellite of the same name. They also released 'Globetrotter', and 'Robot' in the 60s.
The Rolling Stones
They're still going strong to this day, but back in the 60s, The Rolling Stones were enjoying success with the likes of 'Not Fade Away', 'It's All Over Now', 'Little Red Rooster', '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' and many more!
The Beatles
They might have released their final song in 2023, but The Beatles were in their heyday in the 60s, with loads of their songs reaching the top of the UK chart. Just a few of their very popular songs are: 'Please Please Me'/'Ask Me Why', 'From Me to You'/'Thank You Girl', 'She Loves You', 'I'll Get You', and 'I Want to Hold Your Hand'/'This Boy'.
Tom Jones
Am unknown Tom Jones released 'It's Not Unusual' back in 1965 and hasn't looked back since, after it went to Number 1 in the UK. That song was followed by many other hits in the 60s including 'What's New Pussycat?', 'Green, Green Grass of Home' and 'Delilah'.
Cliff Richard & The Shadows
Although Cliff is very much still around performing to this day, back in the 60s, Cliff Richard & The Shadows were releasing several very popular songs. 'A Voice in the Wilderness', 'Fall in Love with You', 'Please Don't Tease', Nine Times Out of Ten', and 'I Love You' were all Top 5 singles for the band, in 1960 alone!
The Seekers
Australian band The Seekers had two Number 1s in the UK throughout the 60s, 'I'll Never Find Another You' in 1964 and 'The Carnival Is Over' the following year, they also had success with several other songs like 'A World of Our Own', 'Morningtown Ride', and 'Georgy Girl'.
Frank Sinatra
Ol' Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra started releasing music a long time before the 1960s, however he had several popular songs in that decade, including his Number 1 songs 'Strangers in the Night', and 'Somethin' Stupid' with Nancy Sinatra and his Top 5 hit 'My Way'.
Information provided by The Official Charts