The swinging sixties
The Swinging Sixties was a phenomenon that emphasized the new and modern. It was a period of optimism and change and can be described as a cultural revolution. It included the pop music of the period, fashion, photography, film and the arts.
Pop music
The term “pop music”, was originally intended as short for popular music and it was used in a very broad sense to refer to Western pop music, as opposed to the classical tradition of genres such as jazz, gospel, blues or classical music. At the time of the Beatles, pop was essentially synonymous of rock n' roll.
The most popular pop group of the period was The Beatles, an English rock band from Liverpool whose members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are the most commercially successful popular band in history, and their innovative music and cultural impact helped define the 1960s.
In the UK, they released more than 40 different singles and album that reached number one. Their clothes and styles made them trendsetters, which influenced the social and cultural change of the 1960s. The adulation of the group was named Beatlemania.
Michael Jackson, "The King of Pop"
Michael Jackson is one of the most famous American pop stars ever and was called “the King of Pop”. He was born near Chicago in 1958 in a family of 9 children. During his childhood, he had a difficult relationship with his father, who abused him both physically and emotionally. However, this behavior of father was probably the reason that Michael became so successful. He started his singer career at 6 years. He, with some of his brothers, formed a very successful group called Jackson Five. In 1971 he started his solo career. He had a great number of plastic surgery operations changed the shape of his nose, chin and the colour of his skin. In 1993 he was accused of sexual abuse.
He married Lisa Marie Presley, after their divorce, he married a nurse. He won a great number of awards and was also known for supporting different charities and foundations. In 1985 he even co-wrote the charity song WE ARE THE WORLD, to help poor people in Africa. During his career, he prepared a world tour called “This is it”, organized to solve his financial problems. At the age of 50, on 25th June 2009, Michael Jackson dead, probably for a heart attack, caused by a drug overdose.
His musical and vocal styles were exceptional and his innovative dance technique, such as the “robot” and the “moonwalk”, influenced a great number of artists after him.
