3 Classic Rock Hidden Gems from the 1960s

When it comes to the rock and roll decade of the 1960s, we all know the big-time hits, from Jimi Hendrix’ “All Along the Watchtower” to The Beatles’ “Let It Be” to The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter.” But the decade isn’t completely defined by the marquee names. If you dig a little deeper, you can see plenty of lesser-known, though no-less decadent tracks from essential artists.

Here below, we wanted to dive into three such offerings. A trio of tracks that may not jump immediately to mind for music fans but songs that are no less effective and wonderful. Indeed, these are three hidden gem classic rock songs from the 1960s.

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“The Witch” by The Sonics from Here Are the Sonics!!! (1965)

Formed in 1960 in Seattle, this garage rock band would go on to influence the entire Pacific Northwest, the West Coast and rock music at large. The West Coast was instrumental in the early 1960s with bringing buzzy rudimentary rock and roll to fans—indeed “Louie Louie,” one of the most well-known early rock songs, was performed most famously by Portland, Oregon-born rock band The Kingsmen. And The Sonics were contemporaries with that group. The band’s most famous original song is likely “The Witch,” which includes chunking electric guitar and screeching vocals.

“Time Is Tight” by Booker T. & the MG’s from Up Tight (1969)

This instrumental song from the group that brought fans the classic “Green Onions” is percussive and eerie. But while this song maybe wasn’t their best known song, it was still a classic amongst music fans of its era. This track from the group hit No. 7 on the U.S. R&B charts and No. 6 on the U.S. Pop charts. It also went No. 1 in South Africa. As for the tune itself, it’s funky and soulful and reflective. Part rocker and part euphoria.

“Defecting Grey” by The Pretty Things (Single, 1967)

British rockers The Pretty Things, who began in 1963, put out four albums in the 1960s. But along with those, they also released several singles, including this track “Defecting Grey,” a rollicking, drum-driven, buzzy offering that sounds like The Kinks meet Oasis. It’s a song that, once you hear it, you’ll dive into the group’s entire catalogue quickly and unabashedly. Part-circus, part-John Lennon-esque psychedelia, the song is a wonder.

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