Instrumentals We Love from the 60s and 70s

Peanut butter and jelly, chocolate and marshmallows, ham and eggs. These are great teams.
Okay, the song “Soul Finger” by the Bar Kays does have a few lyrics in it, but it’s considered a powerful instrumental from 1967. The Bar Kays were Otis Redding’s backup band from Memphis who died in the tragic plane crash (as did Otis Redding) near Madison, Wisconsin. Ben Cauley the sole survivor of the plane crash died at 67 last year.

“Pipeline” by the Chantays was a hit in 1962. This California band of surfers originally called the instrumental “Liberty’s Whip” but renamed it after watching a surfing movie. Nearly 30 musicians have covered the song including the Eagles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Ventures.

The Young-Holt Unlimited began in the early 60s as a ‘trio’ from Chicago, playing small clubs and Holiday Inn’s to make its money. The song “Soulful Strut” hit the charts in 1969 and the band broke up shortly after its success.

“Popcorn” by Hot Butter was a song that sounded unlike any other song in its day. The moog was new to the recording studio, and the song was covered by the American band Hot Butter in 1972.

The Dutch band ‘Focus’ recorded their only American hit “Hocus Pocus” in 1973 and had great success with the instrumental. The song combined organ, moog, and hard guitar to make it unique.

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Photo credit: Geoff Goldswain / Shutterstock.com