1969 is for many the most important year in which man took a great leap as Neil Armstrong was the first man to stepped on the surface of the Moon, and of course, the so-called golden age of rock, in which musicians, albums, and songs of enormous importance emerged and that today enjoy the category of classics, that year (Kabbalistic, some say, because of the suggestive 69) also witnessed the massive festival largest to date (Woodstock), as well as one of the most tragic mass festivals in history (Altamont).
Pinball Wizard – The Who
A decade that carried out the greatest revolution of the 20th century, a revolution much deeper than all the political revolutions of that century, including the Russian, the Mexican, the Chinese and the Cuban. A revolution that changed the world culturally and whose repercussions are still being felt half a century later. The Pinball Wizard is a faithful symbol of that resplendent era.
Communication Breakdown – Led Zeppelin
The dry and cutting riff of Jimmy Page, perfectly accompanied by the bass of John Paul Jones and the drums of the great John “Bonzo” Bonham, are the perfect setting for that unknown singer named Robert Plant to storm the world with his powerful notes sharp. A song that is still exciting 50 years after it was released.
Proud Mary – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Proud Mary is a classic in the history of music that the group included in their album Bayou Country and it became their first great success reaching number one in the world charts and being covered by monsters such as Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, Solomon Burke …
Come Together – The Beatles
The Liverpool legends released in 1969 one of their greatest albums: Abbey Road and one of the most important and popular songs from the first moment was this composition by John Lennon (although it was credited to Lennon & McCartney).
Space Oddity – David Bowie
From the album of the same name Space Oddity, David Bowie’s Space Rarity is one of his masterpieces. It was published as a single on July 11, 1969 to try to coincide with the Apollo XI moon landing and was used by the BBC as a soundtrack for the network’s coverage of the arrival of man on the Moon.
Gimmie Shelter – The Rolling Stones
An impressive rock. The piece that opens the unique album Let It Bleed. A violent piece that speaks of brutality and transgressions, of rape and murder, and in which the unique Marry Clayton has a majestic intervention that turns the skin and makes you shiver.
Nothing Is Easy – Jethro Tull
The song was included in the second album of the band, Stand Up, recorded after the departure of guitarist Mick Abrahams, determined to continue down the path of blues rock, which made Ian Anderson take full control of the group and introduce in his music, increasingly progressive, touches of classical and Celtic music. The performance of this theme at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 with an unleashed Anderson on his flute is historic.
Can’t Find My Way Home – Blind Faith
Acoustic subtlety at the service of a song of absolute beauty, the lyrics of which sing to the satiety and the desperate desire to change before everything is over. Written and sung by Steve Winwood is a melancholic song and at the same time a shining diamond, despite its apparent modesty and the austerity of the unplugged guitars of Winwood himself and Eric Clapton, the rustic drums of Ginger Baker and the bass of Ric Grech.
In The Court Of The Crimson King – King Crimson
In the Court of the Crimson King was King Crimson’s title track for their debut album. Led by the great Robert Fripp, the band was one of the pioneers of progressive rock heavily influenced by jazz and classical music. Its cover, one of the most iconic in history, was the only painting of a computer programmer Barry Godber, who died the following year, and today it is owned by Fripp himself.
Bird Has Flown – Deep Purple
Huge piece of Deep Purple and one of the first great progressive rock compositions ever. Jon Lord’s organ and Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar showed their full potential and Rod Evans sang with intense energy shortly before being fired from the group. Simply great.