Great Pop Instrumentals from the Sixties, Part One
Songs without lyrics that broke through the pop charts
In the late Fifties and early Sixties, rock ’n’ roll was still in its youth. The electric guitar — soon to become the most important rock instrument — was just entering the mainstream. Early instrumental recordings by guitar aficionados like Link Wray (“Rumble,” 1958) and Duane Eddy, who popularized the “twang,” (“Rebel Rouser,” “Cannonball,” 1958) began to make the charts.
That trend continued in the Sixties, but pop instrumentals expanded beyond guitars. These songs were driven not just by solo artists and rock bands but by orchestras. Big orchestral arrangements, particularly for stage shows and movies, were popular with music listeners.
Here are the instrumental hits that reached at least the Top 25 on the annual listing of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for each year from 1960 to 1964. I’ve referenced some additional instrumentals from that time period that were favorites of mine as well. Look for Part Two of this article, in which I’ll cover instrumental hits from 1965 to 1969.
Which instrumentals do you remember (if you grew up in the Sixties)? Which do you like today (no matter what your age)?
