London in the 1960s was buzzing with music. Every night, young bands were playing in small clubs and underground venues, trying new sounds and pushing boundaries. Of course, big names like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones grabbed most of the headlines, but there was a lot more happening behind the scenes.
One interesting voice from that time is Ritchie Blackmore, the guitarist of Deep Purple. He remembers the era well and says that while Jimi Hendrix is often seen as the star of London’s music scene, the reality was more complicated.
Hendrix came to London in 1966 and quickly became famous. His guitar playing was incredible, and he introduced Londoners to psychedelic rock in a big way. But according to Blackmore, bands like Vanilla Fudge were just as important, even if history hasn’t remembered them as well.
Vanilla Fudge, an American band, played long, dramatic songs full of twists and energy. Blackmore points out that their music helped shape the sound of psychedelia, hard rock, and even the early prog rock that Deep Purple would later become famous for. Their slowed-down cover of The Supremes’ You Keep Me Hangin’ On was a hit in both the UK and the US, showing how powerful their sound was.
The 1960s London music scene wasn’t just about one or two superstar acts. Bands like The Who, Cream, Pink Floyd, and The Kinks were all creating new music and influencing young audiences. Clubs like The Bag O’Nails and venues like Chislehurst Caves were hubs for live music and experimentation.
Even if Vanilla Fudge didn’t achieve the same fame as Hendrix, Blackmore believes their influence was huge. They helped shape the bold, experimental sound that defined London’s counterculture and set the stage for the hard rock and prog music of the 1970s.
In short, London in the 1960s was a city full of musical adventure. While we often remember the biggest stars, the scene was actually much bigger, with many bands pushing music in new and exciting directions.