<P> The 1960s began a trend toward a proliferation of No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, thanks to ever - changing data collecting methods . When the 1960s decade opened, there were but four No. 1 songs topping the chart (five, if one counts Marty Robbins' "El Paso"), but by the mid-1960s, there were always at least a dozen songs topping the chart annually . In 1967, there were more than 20 songs reaching the top spot for the first time ever in a single calendar year...and that number would only continue to rise during the next 20 years . </P> <Ul> <Li> Late in the decade, the Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock Music Festival would epitomize the American counterculture . </Li> <Li> Current events become a major influence on popular music . Many songs are written in protest to the Vietnam War . The song "Ohio" was written about the Kent State Massacre, and became a hit for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young . </Li> <Li> World music sees a huge rise in popularity as many seek interest in other cultures . Ravi Shankar performs at the Monterey and Woodstock festivals . Latin Rock artist Carlos Santana sees popularity throughout the decade . George Harrison develops an interest in the Hare Krishna culture, adding Indian influence to the Beatles' music including the use of a sitar . Reggae begins to popularize at this time . </Li> <Li> In 1969, the Rolling Stones organised the ill - fated Altamont Free Concert . </Li> <Li> Songs like "Summertime Blues" and "Eve of Destruction" address the issue of the voting age, which at the time was 21 . The issue was that soldiers were drafted at 18, but could not vote . The voting age was eventually lowered to eighteen . </Li> <Li> A few songs such as Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" address the Civil Rights Movement . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Late in the decade, the Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock Music Festival would epitomize the American counterculture . </Li> <Li> Current events become a major influence on popular music . Many songs are written in protest to the Vietnam War . The song "Ohio" was written about the Kent State Massacre, and became a hit for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young . </Li>

5 bands that were popular during the early to mid 1960�s