With constant access to the latest, freshest music at our fingertips digitally, it is easy to forget classic artists and bands that came before the smartphone era. Consider looking up these five artists and bands if you feel like going down a new genre’s road.

#5: The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was a psychedelic rock band that lasted from 1964-1973. The band formed in New York City with singer, songwriter and guitarist Lou Reed as their front man. In 1966, German actress and model Christa Päffgen, professionally known as Nico, joined The Velvet Underground. Lou Reed and Nico would alternate between vocals. The Velvet Underground’s other members were multi-instrumentalist John Cale, who played viola, keyboard, backup vocals, Sterling Morrison, who played the guitar, and Maureen “Moe” Tucker who played the drums. The Velvet Underground was managed by Andy Warhol. Warhol did the cover art for most of their famous album, “The Velvet Underground & Nico.” They sang about drug use, urban life, sadomasochism and the underbelly of society.
(Source: “The Velvet Underground” 2021. Todd Haynes)

#4: The Doors
The Doors were another psychedelic rock band that lasted from 1965-1971. They were formed in Venice, California by vocalist Jim Morrison and keyboardist Ray Manzerek. They hired guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore. They would play around Hollywood in places like the London Fog and the Whiskey a Go Go. They became famous by late 1966 when they released their first album simply called, “The Doors.” Their new sound brought the attention of many, but Morrison’s energetic performances made them a global sensation. They would release several more albums and perform many shows before Morrison’s untimely death at 27. The Doors sang about life, death, love, pain, travel, struggle and the end.
(Source: “Riders on the Storm” John Densmore)

#3: The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an iconic British band that got their start in 1962 and are still going strong today. With Mick Jagger on vocals, Keith Richards on guitar, Charlie Watts on drums, multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones and Bill Wyman on bass. Brian Jones died on July 3, 1969 at 27, resulting with multi-instrumentalist Mick Taylor to take his place. Taylor quit in 1974, making Ronnie Wood step in, another multi-instrumentalist. Bill Wyman left the Rolling Stones in 1993. The Rolling Stones have many hits like, “Satisfaction,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” and “You can’t always get what you want.” They sang about love, heart-break, drugs, rebellion and the blues.
(Source: “Charlie Is My Darling: Ireland 1965” 1966 By Peter Whitehead)

#2: Bob Dylan
Born in Duluth, Minnesota on May 24, 1941 as Robert Zimmerman, Bob Dylan is known to be one of the most influential artists of all time. In 1961, while only 19 years old, Dylan moved to New York City to start a career in music. He would play at clubs as well as the Greenwich Village coffee house. His first album came out in 1962, simply called “Bob Dylan.” By 1963, he was playing at the Newport Folk Festival and would often play with folk legend Joan Beaz. Bob Dylan became very popular by 1964, and by 1965, he started playing electric guitar. He released two studio albums, “Bring it all back home” and “Highway 61 revisited.” Bob Dylan is still alive today and is 83 years old. He sings about political issues, love, loss, heart-break, war, social injustice and the human condition.
(Source: “Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the night that split the sixties” By Elijah Wald)

#1: Hank Williams
Hiram King Williams, better known by his stage name Hank Williams, is an American singer and songwriter born in Mont Olive Alabama on September 17, 1923. Hank Williams is another influential artists and was a big influence on Bob Dylan. Williams got his start in 1937, performing around Montgomery, Alabama and on the WSFA radio station. He became really famous in 1947, and by 1949, he was preforming at the Grand Ole Opry. Williams’s died of a heart attack on January 1, 1953 in the back seat of his blue 1952 Cadillac Series 62 convertible, while being driven up the country to Virginia to perform a show. He was 29 years old. He sang about love, heart-break, struggle, everyday life and the human condition.
(Source: “Hank Williams: The Biography” By Collin Escott)