Forgotten 60s Rock Gems
Rare Guitar Songs from the Decade of Change
The 1960s weren’t just about The Beatles, The Stones, and Hendrix
Beneath the mainstream surface was a rich world of rock bands who struck emotional chords and earned loyal fanbases — yet somehow slipped through the cracks of modern memory.
On this page, we shine a spotlight on those forgotten 60s rock gems — songs that may not headline classic rock radio but still pack powerful musical punch.
Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or discovering new deep cuts, these guitar-friendly tracks are perfect for players who love hidden treasures from the vinyl era.
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Forgotten 60s Rock Gems List
1.Cupids Inspiration - Yesterday Gone2.Every Mothers Son - Come On Down To My Boat
3.Los Bravos - Black Is Black
4. Pickettywitch - Baby I Won't Let You Down
5. Ray Columbus And The Invaders - Til We Kissed
6. The Avengers - Out Of Sight Out Of Mind
7. The Four Pennies - Juliette
8. The Left Banke - Walk Away Rene
9. The Marmalade - Baby Make It Soon, Reflections Of My Life
10. The Merry Go Round - Live
11. The Myddle Class - Free As The Wind
12. The Outsiders - Time Wont Let Me
13. The Paris Sisters - I Love How You Love Me
14. The Rooftop Singers - Walk Right In
15. The Steam Machine - Let The Feeling Begin
16. The Wonders - That Thing You Do
17. The Youngbloods - The Wine Song
18. We Five - You Were On My Mind
19. Zagar & Evans - In The Year 2525
1. Cupids Inspiration Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Yesterday Has Gone was a haunting 1968 hit by British pop-rock band Cupid’s Inspiration, known for its dramatic orchestration and soaring vocals.
The song reached #4 on the UK Singles Chart and remains their best-known track.
Its lush, melancholic arrangement and emotional delivery gave it a distinct place among late-60s British ballads, and it still resonates as a hidden gem of the era.
Chords And Strumming
Two rhythm patterns here including 1-2 down up and repeat in the verse and then a down up pause up down up pause up and repeat in standard tuning. Play the chords Gbm, Emaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, Ab, Db, G, A, F, E, B7 and a D and no lead required.
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2. Every Mothers Son Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Come On Down To My Boat was a single released by Every Mothers Son back in 1967 and it peaked at #6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song can be found on the album "Every Mothers Son".
Chords And Strumming
I play a capo 3rd fret here but capos are always optional. Just a simple down up down up rhythm pattern with a few riffs blended into strumming. The chords you'll need are G, D, C, F and D7.
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3. Los Bravos Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Black Is Black was released in 1966 by the Spanish group Los Bravos. They were the first Spanish rock band to have an International single with a #1 in Canada, #2 in the UK and a #4 in the USA.
The song is from the album of the same name.
Chords And Strumming
The chords here are Em, D, A, Gbm, G, Gb, F, E7, B7 and a G with some riffs blended into the rhythm. In standard tuning play down strokes for the rhythm pattern.
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4. Pickettywitch Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Baby I Won't Let You Down was a 1970 single by Pickettywitch, a British pop group fronted by singer Polly Brown.
Though the band is best known for their Top 5 UK hit “That Same Old Feeling,” this follow-up single continued their run of melodic, radio-friendly tracks.
While it didn't chart as high as their breakout hit, the song showcased the band’s signature blend of light pop and soul influences and remains a nostalgic favorite among collectors of early '70s British pop.
Chords And Strumming
Played in standard tuning you can play a down up pause up down up pause up and repeat for rhythm. No lead in this one as you move through the chords D, Gbm, E, Bm, Bm/A, Em7, A7, F, A, B7, G and a Gb.
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5. Ray Columbus And The Invaders Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Til We Kissed was from Ray Columbus And The Invaders who were a rock back from New Zealand from 1964 to 1966.
Til We Kissed was released in 1965 but surprisingly never charted in either Australia or New Zealand.
Chords And Strumming
This one you can with down strokes for rhythm and then it switches into a root down up root up down up and repeat pattern. In standard tuning with the chords A, D, E and a Gb with a little bit of lead.
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6. The Avengers Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Out Of Sight Out Of Mind was released in 1967 by The Avengers, a little-known garage rock band whose work has become something of a cult favorite among collectors of obscure ‘60s rock.
The song has appeared on several compilations of lost or rare garage tracks, where it stands out for its raw vocal delivery, haunting guitar lines, and moody atmosphere.
While it didn’t chart nationally, it captured the brooding teenage angst of the era and remains a gem for fans of the genre.
Chords And Strumming
Another song with two rhythm patterns for this one and with the first one being 1-2 up down and repeat and the second pattern down down down up down up and repeat. Played in standard tuning and no lead her with the chords D, Em, A7, A, A7sus, F, C, G, D/C, D/B, and a D/A#.
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7. The Four Pennies Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Juliet was the breakout hit for British pop band The Four Pennies, released in 1964.
The ballad struck a chord with audiences and became a surprise chart-topper, reaching #1 on the UK Singles Chart—the group’s only song to achieve that feat.
Known for its gentle orchestration and heartfelt vocals, “Juliet” became a staple of early ‘60s British pop and remains the band’s signature tune.
Despite their brief time in the spotlight, The Four Pennies carved out a lasting legacy with this romantic gem.
Chords And Strumming
This one is played in standard tuning with no lead and with a down down up down down down down and repeat for rhythm. The chords you'll need are D, G, A, Bm, A7, Em, Gbm, Gb, Gm and a Gdim.
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8. The Left Banke Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Walk Away Renee was a 1966 hit for The Left Banke, reaching #5 on the US and New Zealand and #3 in Canada.
The track is from the album of the same name.
Chords And Strumming
For rhythm here play a down down up down up down up and repeat pattern in standard tuning. A bit of lead during the rhythm while playing the chords D, A/Db, B, A, E/Ab, G, D/Gb, Gbm, E, Bm, B7, Gbm/F, A6 and a Gbm6.
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9. The Marmalade Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Baby Make It Soon was released by Marmalade in 1969 and stands as one of the band’s melodic pop-rock gems.
Written by Tony Macaulay and John Macleod, the track reached #9 on the UK Singles Chart, showcasing the group’s ability to blend catchy melodies with emotional sincerity.
While not as globally recognized as their later hit “Reflections of My Life,” this song helped solidify Marmalade’s position in the late ’60s British pop-rock scene. Its lush orchestration and heartfelt vocals exemplify the softer side of the psychedelic pop movement.
Chords And Strumming
I play this one in standard tuning with a down down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and no lead required. The chords here are G, D7, D, C, Em, A7 and a Bm.
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Reflections Of My Life was released in 1969 and was a huge top 10 hit in several countries worldwide. It never made it to #1 but got close in Ireland at #2.
The track hails from the album Reflections Of The Marmalade.
Chords And Strumming
This one is played in standard tuning with some lead work required. The rhythm pattern is a down down up down down up down up and repeat will work throughout using the chords G, Bm, Em, G7, C, Am, D and a Dsus.
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10. The Merry Go Round Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Live was a single release by The Merry Go Round back in 1967 and was their only charting song which only made it to #63 on the charts.
This was also the only album released by this group as they disbanded shortly thereafter.
Chords And Strumming
This one has a down down down up down up rhythm pattern with a few riffs and slides and is played with the chords E, D, A and .
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11. The Myddle Class Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Free As The Wind was a single released by The Myddle Class in 1965. The song as far as I know never appeared on any album.
Chords And Strumming
This one is played with a capo 3rd fret and played with mainly all down strokes. No lead here to worry about as you play through the chords C, A#, Am, F, Dm and a G.
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12. The Outsiders Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Time Won't Let Me is from 1966 by The Outsiders, a band based out of Cleveland Ohio.
They managed a #5 hit in the USA and Canada. This song is from the album of the same name.
Chords And Strumming
Play this song in standard tuning with some lead required and the chords A, Gbm, G, E, Bm, Dbm and a D. For rhythm you can play a down down up down up down up and repeat as well as some steady up and down rhythm.
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13. The Paris Sisters Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
I Love How You Love Me was a top five hit for The Paris Sisters in 1961. The song was released as a single and not part of any album that I am aware of.
They work with well known record producer Phil Spector for this number. Bobby Vinton also recorded the song later on.
Chords And Strumming
There are 5 chords in this one and they are G, Em, C, D and a Gmaj7 with a bit of picking and a capo 3rd fret for the original key of A#. The rhythm is a 1-2-3 down up down where 1-2-3 are just notes in the chord arpeggio style.
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14. The Rooftop Singers Songs
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Walk Right In is an old blues tune from 1929 that was revived in 1963 by a group called Rooftop Singers who had a huge #1 in several countries with their re-make.
The song is on their album of the same name.
Chords And Strumming
I like to play a drop D tuning in this one with a capo 1st fret and some lead. The chords here are G, E7, C, C7, A7 and a D7 with a root up down up rhythm pattern with some riffs all through the song.
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15. The Steam Machine Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Let The Feeling Begin is a song by The Steam Machine but it's difficult to find any info on this song.
I'm not sure but this may be a song from 1971 and the band may be based out of Germany. I'll leave it here for the time being.
Chords And Strumming
For rhythm here a down down down up down up and repeat pattern will work in standard tuning and a capo 2nd fret to keep the original key. There is some lead while playing the chords D, G, Em, A7, Fm, A#, D# and G#.
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16. The Wonders Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
That Thing You Do, is a song by The Wonders, a fictional band from the 1996 film "That Thing You Do!" written and directed by Tom Hanks. The movie is about a one-hit wonder band from Erie, Pennsylvania, in the 1960s.
The
song was written by Adam Schlesinger and recorded by the real band
Fountains of Wayne. Although The Wonders are not a real band, their
story and music pay tribute to 1960s pop rock and the experiences of
real bands from that era.
Chords And Strumming
This one is in Drop D Tuning and a capo 2nd fret with the chords D, G, A, Bm, G7, C, A7, D7, Gm, A/A#, A7sus and A#. Several rhythm patterns including and down up down up while playing a walking bass, some down strokes and chops throughout. Some lead work in this one.
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17. The Youngbloods Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
The Wine Song was never released as a single by the group.
It can be found on their 1967 album "Earth Music".
Chords And Strumming
The chords for this one are G7, G, C, C7, F, E7, A7, D7 and B7 in standard tuning and no lead work. For rhythm play a root down root up down up and repeat pattern.
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18. We Five Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
You Were On My Mind was a folk song originally by Canadian artists Ian and Sylvia Tyson. We Five turned it into a pop hit in 1965, scoring a #1 on the US charts.
The track can be found on the album of the same name.
Chords And Strumming
I use a capo 2nd fret on this number in standard tuning and no lead required. Play all down stroke for rhythm with the chords D, G, A, Em, Gbm, Gb, B7, E, Abm, Gbm and an Ab.
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19 . Zagar & Evans Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
In The Year 2525 was released by Zager and Evans, who were a duo in the 1960's.
This #1 song in 1969 in both the US and the UK. It was released five years earlier but didn't do much on the charts until the duo got on the RCA label.
Chords And Strumming
This song does half steps climbs so you'll start with the chords Abm, Gb, E, Eb and then change key to include the chords Am, G, F, E, A#m, G#, Gb and an F. You can play a down down up down down up pattern and repeat in standard tuning and some shuffle strumming near the end.
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If your musical tastes venture beyond the obvious hits, these forgotten rock gems from the 1960s offer a rewarding trip down memory lane. With jangly chords, bittersweet melodies, and timeless lyrics, each of these songs deserves a fresh listen — and now, a spot in your guitar repertoire.
Reconnect with underappreciated artists like The Four Pennies, The Rooftop Singers, and Every Mother's Son through these lesson demos and resources.
And if you love this page, be sure to explore our other 60s rock collections for even more vintage guitar inspiration.
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