Are there any songs or bands from the 60s/70s that qualify as both Folk and "Bubblegum Rock"?
As a child, I enjoyed both genres—both of which are virtually extinct today. One of the bands I enjoyed in the ‘70s was Steel Eye Span. Seems like there was a group called Thor’s Hammer (or Vulcan’s Hammer or something)— anyhow, I’m on a nostalgia binge again. Can anyone give any examples of Folk/Folk-Pop and Bubblegum Pop Rock crossovers?
You don’t need to be a serious music expert to answer this—just recall the sweeter harmonies of a time when love was the answer to everything, and a greater mystery or “something more” was just beyond the veil —just beyond our reach but we were almost there.
Usually such songs were upbeat, harmonious, and something we could sing to.
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Bubble gum is pretty insipid, so it couldn’t carry the earnestness of folk. But Seasons in the Sun came close.
Being both Folk and bubblegum is difficult, but The Seekers’ Morningtown Ride walks that tightrope.
I only know the respective genres from my parents, and I may not totally understand what makes a song “Bubble Gum”.
I certainly understand folk. I like to listen to Ian and Sylvia to this day.
But my mom liked a song called “Chevy Van”, that seems to fit the question.
I consider Peter, Paul and Mary and the Kingston Trio “bubblegum folk” but that’s not quite what you’re asking for. The Lovin’ Spoonful might fit the bill but they really are two very different genres.
“Bubblegum pop (also known as bubblegum music or simply bubblegum) is a genre of pop rock music with an upbeat sound contrived and marketed to appeal to pre-teens and teenagers…” ”... predominantly a singles phenomenon” and one hit wonders.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubblegum_pop
When recall the music of that era (late 60’s to early 70’s), the term “Bubble Gum” referred to music that was written, produced and marketed solely to sell singles. Many of these groups were created by the production studio, and the Imusicians were brought in to “play the role”. Two notable examples of this are The Monkees, (a created-for-tv band whose musicians actually played and sang), and The Archies, made for TV animation.
How about Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, the Starland Vocal Band?
They started as folk group Fat City. They played with John Denver and wrote the hit “Take Me Home, Country Roads” with him.
But they’re only known for Skyrockets at Night. Just hearing the title makes me cringe. It’s the sonic equivalent of 1970s TV shows like The Love Boat and Three’s Company.
Youtube – John Denver with FatCity~Okie from Muskogee & Country Roads at The Troubadour 1971
I admit to liking The Archies’ Sugar Sugar a lot. I guess that’s a hat tip to the talent of LA studio musicians. It’s not folk in any way, but the Archies were mentioned.
@Call_Me_Jay It’s not folk in any way, but the Archies were mentioned. They were mentioned as bubble gum. I’m not saying there was never any crossover between the two genres, but they were two very different genres.
To whom are you referring> What group?
I don’t think it’s quite what you’re looking for, but Harry Nilsson has a lot of folk/pop crossover
Nilsson Schmilsson!
Gordon Lightfoot was also a folk to rock crossover, but neither could ever be considered bubblegum.
Gordon Lightfoot was one of those great Folk singers who could cross over to Rock/Pop AND even Country— but not what most people can country nowadays—kinda Classic country which is a bit unlike the drivel some call country nowadays
@Yellowdog GA for Gordon Lightfoot! What an amazingly gifted storyteller!
It seems to me that there’s been more crossover of pop and country since the 80’s.
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