60s Guitar Songs by Black Artists
The 1960s gave rise to some of the most powerful voices and unforgettable melodies in popular music — and Black artists were at the heart of that revolution.
On this page, you'll find guitar tutorials for 10 essential tracks from the decade, including soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock hits by Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, Clyde McPhatter, Percy Sledge, and more.
Whether you're strumming a deep ballad or riffing through a fuzz-drenched classic, these lessons celebrate both the artistry and the impact of these musical pioneers.
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60s Guitar Songs By Black Artists”
60s Guitar Songs By Black Artists List
1. Clyde McPhatter - You're Moving Me
2. Dorothy Moore - Misty Blue
3. Gary US Bonds - This Little Girl Is Mine
4. George Benson - On Broadway
5. Jimi Hendrix - Angel, Waterfall
6. Otis Redding - Sittin On The Dock, These Arms
7. Percy Sledge - When A Man Loves A Woman
8. R.B. Greaves - Take A Letter Maria
1. Clyde PcPhatter Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
You're Moving Me is a song recorded by Clyde McPhatter but I've been unable to track down when or what album the song hails from.
Chords And Strumming
This one I play with a capo on the 4th fret for the original key and a Drop D Tuning which of course is always optional. There is a walking bass component in this one with the chords D, G7, Em, G, D7 and an A7. You can play a steady down up down up pattern with some down strokes and shuffle rhythm in places. No lead in this one.
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2. Dorothy Moore Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Misty Blue was first recorded 10 years before Dorothy Moore recorded it by Wilma Burgess in 1966 and Eddy Arnold in 1967. Both were country hits.
In 1976 Dorothy Moore released her version. She didn't see the song as a hit when she recorded it but the song went on to become a top 10 hit is several countries, peaking the highest at #2 in the US.
Chords And Strumming
Play this one using the chords C, Cmaj7, Caug, Dm, G, Em and an F. I use a down down up down down pause pause rhythm pattern here in standard turning and a capo on the 3rd for the original key. A bit of picking here blended into the rhythm.
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3. Gary US Bonds Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
This Little Girl Is Mine is a Bruce Springsteen song from 1978. Gary US Bonds covered the song in 1981 and took the song to #11 in the US.
The song can be found on his "Dedication" album.
Chords And Strumming
For this one you'll want to play a steady up and down rhythm pattern for the most part as you'll be playing some walking bass throughout and some shuffle rhythm. The key is higher by two frets but too high for my range in standard with chords Em, G, C, D, D7 and a Bm. A few picking slides in here as well.
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4. George Benson Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
On Broadway was first recorded by The Drifters back in 1963 and had a #9 hit with the song. George Benson took a smooth jazz approach with his version and can be found on his 1978 album Weekend In LA.
The single release hit #7 on Billboard and #2 on the R&B charts. He also won a Grammy for best vocal performance with this song.
Chords And Strumming
These isn't any lead work in this one in standard tuning and it uses all down strokes for the rhythm as you'll see. Using the chords Gb, E, B, A, Db, G, F, C, Ab, D, B and an Eb, this song changes key by half steps as you progress.
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5. Jimi Hendrix Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Angel was first recorded back in 1967 but was not released to the public at that time. Hendrix wrote the song and had planned on putting it on his 4th album "The Cry Of Love".
The song did end up on the album in 1971 just after his death in Sept of 1970. The song was released as a single A side in the UK where it reached #59.
He mentioned in an interview that the song was about his mom he had in a dream as a child.
Chords And Strumming
There is some lead in this one with a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. In standard tuning and with a ton of chords such as E, Bmaj7 sus4 (9)/G♭- E, Asus2, Bsus4, Gb, Db, Abm, Bbm, B, Bsus, C, A, D, D#, Eb, Db and a C.
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Waterfall is also known as "May This Be Love" and hails from his 1967 debut album entitled "Are You Experienced".
This song was not released as a single as the album only produced one single release and that was a song called "Foxy Lady".
Chords And Strumming
There is a bit of lead here following the vocal phrasing of the song playing a down down up down up down up pattern or you can just play down strokes though most of this one. In standard tuning the chord here are E, A, Esus, D, B and a Gbm.
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6. Otis Redding Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Sittin On The Dock was Otis Redding's only #1 hit song and it happened after his death in 1967. The song hit the top of the charts in 1968.
The song hails from the album The Dock Of The Day.
Chords And Strumming
Rhythm pattern for this one is a down down up down down up down up and repeat with some down strokes in standard tuning. No lead here as you move through the chords G, B7, C, A7, A, E7, D, F and a D7.
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These Arms Of Mine was a single from the 1962 album Pain In My Heart.
The song reached #20 on the US R&B chart. This song was Redding's first single release for Stax Records.
Chords And Strumming
You can play all down strokes for rhythm here or play a down down down up down up and repeat in standard tuning. A little lead work playing the chords D7, G, D, C, C7, G/Eb, G/E and a G7. Original key is a capo 3rd but I'm in a capo 2nd fret here.
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7. Percy Sledge Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
When A Man Loves A Woman became a #1 hit for Percy Sledge back in 1966 on both the R&B and Billboard charts. Later it was a success for singles John Wesley Ryles in 1976, Bette Midler in 1980 and Michael Bolton in 1991.
The song is from the Percy Sledge album of the same name.
Chords And Strumming
For some reason I was calling Percy, Perry in the video. The rhythm pattern here is a down down up down up down down and repeat in standard tuning. No lead break in the original but I added a small one in here play the chords C, G6, Am, Am/G, F, C7, D7 and an Fm at the end. Capo 1st is the original key.
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8. R.B. Greaves Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Take A Letter Maria was released by RB Greaves in September 1969. The song picked up airplay and by Nov the song sold a million copies.
In 1970 it had reached 2.5 million in sales. The track is from the album RB Greaves.
Chords And Strumming
This song is in A so capo up two frets for the original key. There is no lead in here but there is a horn riff which we can capture so I play this one lower in G. The chords here are G, C and F in standard tuning.
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From gritty rock and roll to heartfelt soul, these 60s guitar songs by Black artists offer a rich palette of playing styles and emotional depth.
If you’ve enjoyed diving into these timeless tracks, you might also want to explore our other themed pages spotlighting legendary 60s performers, underrated one-hit wonders, and classic rhythm-based guitar gems.
Each tutorial here not only teaches you how to play — it honors the artists who helped shape the sound of an entire generation.
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