From The Beatles to psychedelia, discover how 1966 changed music forever

When you consider the most influential albums released in 1966, two monumental records immediately come to mind: The Beatles' Revolver and The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds. These iconic works often overshadow other significant releases of that year, yet a closer examination reveals the true essence of the music from 1966. To fully appreciate the sounds of that era, let's delve into the music of 1966.

To provide context, let's briefly touch upon some historical events of 1966: in January, Harold Holt became the prime minister of Australia (almost two years before his tragic disappearance), the Australian currency transitioned to decimal, The Sound of Music and Doctor Zhivago dominated the Oscars, England triumphed in its sole FIFA World Cup, and St Kilda claimed its solitary AFL/VFL grand final.

While Revolver and Pet Sounds undeniably shaped the music landscape, they cannot be considered in isolation from the broader array of groundbreaking albums released that year. 1966 marked a peculiar period in music history, particularly in the United States. Jazz and crooner music still held sway, and Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass were among the most prominent bands.

Simultaneously, rock music had only been around for a decade, and the wave of British bands had begun to wane. Nevertheless, the American music scene was a vibrant tapestry of diverse genres. Six albums from 1966 stand out for their unique contributions to the music world. As the Beatles introduced English acts to American audiences, the so-called British Invasion began to fade.

However, in the United States, a fascinating convergence of sounds was taking place. Black communities were blending pop, rock, gospel, and rhythm and blues to create a new genre called soul music, which started to dominate black music charts and infiltrate the white pop charts. Three notable non-Motown soul records from 1966 include, but are not limited to, specific albums and artists.

The emergence of psychedelic rock was driven by the widespread use of LSD, which was banned in California and Nevada during mid-1966. Although major Californian acid-soaked bands like The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Aeroplane did not fully embrace this genre by 1966, many musicians were already experimenting with the psychedelic sound.

While blues-rock, country-rock, rockabilly, and swamp rock were already popular subgenres, the term "garage rock" was coined to describe the raw, energetic rock sound of the mid-1960s that eventually evolved into punk, metal, grunge, and other alternative rock styles. Despite the overwhelming popularity of The Beatles and similar acts, numerous other bands contributed to the richer, grittier sound of 1966.

These acts, often overlooked at the time, have since become integral to the rock and roll legacy. In Australia, the music scene remained largely influenced by the UK and US. However, a handful of Australian bands produced exceptional albums in 1966 that have remained memorable to this day. One notable Australian band from 1966 produced significant music that continues to be celebrated today.

Motown Records, based in Detroit, played a pivotal role in shaping soul, pop, R&B, and funk music during the 1960s and 1970s. The label's backing band, known as The Funk Brothers, was instrumental in creating the label's world-changing music. This article cannot be complete without highlighting the albums that left an indelible mark on music history.