June marks the beginning of the summer music season with some of the greatest albums in the history of recorded music having been released during the pearl of summer months. Here are ten must-have LP’s released during the 1960s in the month June worthy of any record collection.
June 1, 1967 - Beatles - Sgt. Peppers
The United States release of the Beatles Sargent Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band on June 1, 1967, six days after the UK release. It was the groups eighth studio recording and their fourteenth US album release. Sgt. Pepper’s shot to #1 on major charts around the world including Billboard Top LP’s chart, becoming one of the many soundtracks to the Summer of Love in 1967. Sgt. Pepper’s is the first rock LP to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and considered one of musics first “concept albums.”
June 1, 1967 David Bowie - David Bowie
We all know what David Bowie would become. This album introduced the world to the then unknown Star yet to be discovered. Recorded at Decca Studios in London and released on the Deram label on June 1st, 1967 in the UK and August in the United States. Bowie’s self titled debut album was musically interesting but a commercial failure leading to his departure from the Decca label.
June 14, 1968 - Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Second studio album by the American rock band Iron Butterfly, released in June 1968. It is most known for its title track, a 17-minute composition occupying the entire B Side. The album reached #30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified 4x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
June 16, 1969 - Johnny Cash - At San Quentin
Johnny Cash at San Quentin is the second live album by singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. The album was recorded live at San Quentin State Prison, California on February 24, 1969 and released on June 16, 1969 reaching #1 on both the US Billboard Country LPs chart and US Top LPs. Certified 3x Platinum (RIAA).
June 20, 1969 ● Grateful Dead — Aoxomoxoa
Released on the Summer Solstice on June 20, 1969, Aoxomoxoa is the third studio album by the Grateful Dead (Warner Bros.-Seven Arts). It was one of the first rock albums to be recorded using 16-track technology.
June 21, 1965 - The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man
Another groundbreaking debut album released in the month of June is the 1965 release from The Byrds, Mr. Tambourine Man. The albums title track (written by Bob Dylan) became an anthem of the period as well as popular tracks “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better,” and “The Bells of Rhymney.” The album hit #1 in Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, and in the US. This album captures a change in music in real time moving from folk music to electrified folk rock.
June 26, 1961 ● The Ventures — The Ventures
The instrumental surf groups second album The Ventures was recorded at engineer Joe Boles' home studio in Seattle, Washington and released on June 26, 1961 in Stereo as well as Mono. Boles’ was a local studio where other early Dolton (Records) artists also recorded.
June 26, 1964 ● The Beatles — A Hard Day’s Night
Released on June 26, 1964, two weeks before the UK version. A Hard Day's Night is the band's first album to contain all-original material, penned by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The albums spent 14 weeks at #1 on Billboard Top LPs and is 4x Platinum (RIAA).
June 26, 1967 ● The Rolling Stones — Flowers
Released at the beginning of the Summer of Love, Flowers reached #3 on the US Billboard 200 charts and is certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. While some tracks on Flowers had been previously released, the album would mark the last time track lists on the groups American releases would differ from that of the UK release.
June 27, 1966 - The Mothers of Invention - Freak Out!
Freak Out! is the debut studio album by the American rock band the Mothers of Invention, released on June 27, 1966, by Verve Records. Often cited as one of rock music's first concept albums, Freak Out! peaked at #130 on Billboards Top 200 chart in 1967.
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