The 1960s was a revolutionary period for music styles, like pop, jazz, R&B, and rock, of course. The biggest names in those years came from the USA – Dionne Warwick, Janis Joplin, Etta James, the magical Aretha Franklin, and many others. However, Europe also boasts iconic performers from this period. In the ’60s, the UK formed as the biggest cradle of talent across the Old Continent, and the first British Invasion wave from 1964 to 1967 proves it. Many male and female singers challenge the US music charts, with varying degrees of success between these years. The Beatles were first to hit the Hot 100, with I Want to Hold Your Hand at number 45. The second was a young girl from London who was just beginning a glamorous career! In the next several paragraphs, we’ll meet you with the Brit ladies with the most successful careers as solo singers!
Helen Shapiro
We can’t talk about the swinging 60s and not mention the brilliant Helen Shapiro. She conquered the UK charts twice at only 14 years old. Britain knows of no other such talent, exalting the audience in its mid-teens, in the midst of the rock era. Helen’s chart-toppers are You Don’t Know and Walkin’ Back to Happiness. Only a couple of years after that, at the age of 16, she became part of the Beatles tour in the UK. Even so, Helen Shapiro never had the chance to hit the charts in the US. Her voice just didn’t fit the current trend.
Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey was the first female singer with a UK chart-topper – As I Love You, in 1959. She ended her career with the massive 37 studio, 6 live, and 21 compilation albums. Shirley recorded 105 singles, including the music theme for the 1964s James Bond movie Goldfinger. The song is ranked 2nd and 8th in the Billboard, Adult Contemporary and Hot 100 charts, respectively. Shirley Bassey sang with the Beatles several times in the mid-1960s. She has 11 Silver and 8 Gold albums, in addition to her Platinum “25th Anniversary Album” from 1978!
Petula Clark
Petula Clark is also a global event but in a slightly more special way. Most female singers become popular in their teen years or early 20s. Well, Petula hit the UK charts at the age of 29 with the song Sailor in 1961. So far, Petula has sold almost 70 million records. Her popularity goes beyond the UK, and the US music fans often called her the British Invasion First Lady. She had a few massive hits, including the US Hot 100 toppers Downtown and My Love in 1964 and 1965. Petula Clark released 24 studio albums only in the 1960s and tens of others before and after that period.
Dusty Springfield
Petula Clark may have often been named the First Lady of the British Invasion, but in fact, Dusty Springfield was the first to enter the US charts. At the beginning of her solo career after disbanding The Springfields, she won number 12 in Hot 100 with I Only Want to Be with You in 1963. For comparison, the first British song to reach the chart, I Want to Hold Your Hand, of the Beatles, took 45th place a year earlier. Dusty Springfield is undoubtedly one of the most iconic Sixties European female singers of all time!
Lynn Annette Ripley – Twinkle
Lynn Ripley, better known as Twinkle, is the controversial name on our list! Undoubtedly, she is one of the most recognisable names from all 60s pop singers in the UK. However, her career developed very differently, entering the industry quickly and then sinking into obscurity. Twinkle’s biggest hits from the Sixties are:
- Terry – 1964
- Golden Lights, Tommy, Poor Old Johnny and The End of the World – 1965
- What Am I Doing Here with You – 1966
- Micky – 1969.
Some of the best Twinkle songs are part of 4 compilation albums released between 1993 and 2019.
Lulu Kennedy-Cairns – Lulu
Lulu is another iconic female pop singer! She was born in Scotland and was also part of the British Invasion. Lulu’s career includes 15 studio albums, 10 compilations, and over 65 singles. She never managed to top the UK charts in the ’60s, but in 1967 she became number one in the US and Canada with the song To Sir, With Love. An interesting fact is that Lulu started her public career at the fragile age of 4. Although her role is minor, she also performed in the 1983s Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi movie.
Susan Maughan
Susan Maughan is the last name in our overview of the Brit Girls of the 1960s who made their way to people’s hearts. She recorded 7 studio albums and over 25 singles, with Bobby’s Girl ranked as number 3 in the UK in 1962. Sussan never made it to the US charts but was appreciated by the audience in other countries, including Israel, Ireland, and France. The Philips labelled albums Swingin’ Susan, and I Wanna Be Bobby’s Girl But…, from 1963 were total hits. Even so, Susan Maughan is one of the many talented singers who became victims of the circumstances during the Mod 1960s.
Conclusion
The pop culture in Europe during the Sixties is always a never-ending theme of discussions. The romanticism of that period will never die, just like the songs of bands like The Beatles or solo artists like Dusty Springfield. Luckily, we live in a digital era, and all of their hits are available on platforms like Spotify!
