Underrated 60s Pop Bands – Learn to Play on Guitar
Not every band from the 1960s reached the legendary status of The Beatles or The Beach Boys—but many left behind unforgettable songs that deserve a second listen.
On this page, you'll find a curated collection of underrated 60s pop bands whose melodic, heartfelt, and often catchy songs are perfect for acoustic guitar.
Whether you're rediscovering forgotten gems or exploring fresh material for your setlist, this is a goldmine for players who love the softer side of the decade’s music scene.
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Underrated 60s Pop Bands List
1. Cupids Inspiration - Yesterday Has Gone2. Gary Lewis & The Playboys - Count Me In, This Diamond Ring
3. Jay And The Americans - She Cried
4. The Buckinghams - Don't You Care
5. The Classics IV - Spooky, Traces
6. The Cuff Links - Tracy
7. The Four Pennies - Juliette
8. The Left Banke - Walk Away Renee
9. The Tremloes - Silence Is Golden
10. We Five - You Were On My Mind
1. Cupids Inspiration Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Yesterday Has Gone ... info soon.
Chord sheet and video lesson found in the zip file below.
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2. Gary Lewis And The Playboys Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Count Me In was a single released in 1965 and reached #2 in the US and #6 in Canada.
The song hails from their album "A Session With Gary Lewis & The Playboys".
Chords And Strumming
This one has a steady down down up down up down up rhythm pattern with a few chords in standard tuning. Chords here are an F, A#, Db, C, Am, C7 and a Gm. A little bit of lean here in standard tuning.
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This Diamond Ring climbed to the top of the Billboard Chart in Feb 1965. The group did play on the track and The Wrecking Crew came in later for some over-dubbing.
The song can be found on the album of the same name.
Chords And Strumming
This arrangement is in Abm with a Db, A7, D, A/Db, Bm, Bm/A, Gbm, Em and a D#. The rhythm pattern here is a down down up down down up and repeat. There is a decending bass line and I'm not in the original key with this one. Some picking work required.
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3. Jay And The Americans - Learn To Play On Guitar
She Cried ... info soon.
Chord sheet and video lesson found in the zip file below.
Chords And Strumming
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Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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4. The Buckinghams Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Don't You Care reached #1 in the Philippines, #4 in Canada and #6 in the US in 1967.
The track can be found on their "Time & Charges" album.
Chords And Strumming
Standard tuning here and only a few riffs in place of any lead guitar. For rhythm I play a down up down up and repeat pattern. The chords here are Emaj7, Gbm, G, Dmaj7, Ab, A, Am, Abm , Gbm/F, Gbm/E, B7, E, E/C, Aaug, D, Dm and a D/A.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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5. The Classics IV Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Spooky was first recorded as an instrumental in 1967 but lyrics were added for The Classics IV version which was released in 1968 and reached #3 in the US.
The track is from the album of the same name.
Chords And Strumming
I play this song in standard tuning with a down down up down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and some lead required. For chords you'll need an Em7, A6, Em7, B7 and a Bbdim.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Traces became the Classics IV highest charting song peaking at #2 in both Canada and the US back in 1969.
The groups other bit song was "Stormy" which reached #5 on the charts.
Chords And Strumming
Lots of chords in this one including D, Gbm, Am, B7, Bm, Bm/A, Bm/Gb, Bm/G, A+, D+, Em, A7sus, A7, C, G6 11#3 and a Dmaj7. This one is played in standard tuning with some lead and a rhythm pattern that includes some arppegio, some chop strumming and root down up root up down up in this one.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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6. The Cuff Links - Learn To Play On Guitar
Tracy was the lead single from the album of the same name and was released by The Cuff Links in 1969. The song made it into the top 10 in several countries.
This song has several key changes in it and a bunch of chords.
Chord sheet, demo and full lesson now contained within a zip file, available below..
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Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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7. The Four Pennies Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Juliette ... info soon.
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Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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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.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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9. The Tremloes Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Silence Is Golden ... info soon.
Full tutorial lesson and chord sheet included in the zip file below after purchase.
Chords And Strumming
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Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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10. 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.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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These underrated bands may not always top classic rock countdowns, but their songs hold up beautifully on acoustic guitar.
From the romantic swing of Tracy to the layered emotion in Walk Away Renee, there’s no shortage of charm or musical richness in this lineup.
If you're looking to broaden your 60s repertoire beyond the usual suspects, these pop gems are well worth adding to your playlist.
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