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1960
1960 in British Music
The Beatles head to Hamburg, The Shadows rule, and a new decade of sound begins.
Key Events
- •The Beatles begin their Hamburg residencies — the crucible that forged them
- •The Shadows dominate with instrumental hits like 'Apache'
- •Roy Orbison's 'Only the Lonely' introduces the power ballad to British ears
Dominant Genres
Instrumental RockPopR&BCountry
Notable Trends
- →Beat groups replace skiffle groups in clubs and dance halls
- →Hamburg's Reeperbahn becomes an unlikely training ground for British bands
- →The Shadows make guitar instrumentals the dominant sound