Top 5 Sixties Icons Still Active Today

5. Mick Jagger

Sir Michael Philip “Mick” Jagger became world-famous in the Sixties once “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” became the Rolling Stones first number one record. Almost from the beginning, the band was referred to as “Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones” by the press. As famous for his off-stage behavior as the Rolling Stones’ music, Jagger and the Stones have not toured this decade, but have not announced their retirement. Jagger performed without the Stones at The White House in February of 2012 when President Barrack Obama held a “Blues at the White House” gathering with B.B. King, Trombone Shorty, Jeff Beck and others.

4. Betty White

In the Sixties, Betty White was a fixture on television game shows and as host, with Lorne Greene, of the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. As a celebrity on game shows, she was known for her smart, competitive game play. She appeared on husband Allen Luden’s “Password,” the original “Match Game,” “What’s My Line” and others. She appeared frequently on “The Tonight Show,” eventually guest-hosting for Johnny Carson a few times. She continued her game show appearances for decades afterward. She became a fixture on television sitcoms in the ’70s and ’80s on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Golden Girls.” After those shows, she continued guest-starring roles on television dramas and sitcoms. There was a Facebook campaign to have White host “Saturday Night Live” and she hosted that show on May 8th of 2010. She currently appears on TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland.”

3. Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett was a popular singer from the “vocalist” era of the early Fifties through the early Sixties. In 1962, he achieved greater fame with his hit record “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” Like many artists of his era, his record sales diminished once the Beatles, the British invasion, and younger rock and roll acts took over the popular music charts. He never really went away, and was a fixture on the many variety shows of the Sixties. His career hit the skids in the Seventies and he went through a period where he felt no one was interested in his style of music. Around 1979, his son Danny Bennett took over managing his father’s career, and exposed him to younger audiences on “Late Night with David Letterman” and the new MTV video network. Bennett’s career experienced a resurgence which continues to this day. Bennett has recorded two albums of duets with contemporary singers, the first of which was awarded with two Grammy awards. He recently appeared on his own P.B.S. special promoting his “Duets II” album with Lady Gaga, Norah Jones, the late Amy Winehouse and others.

2. Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder became more popular as the Sixties progressed. Starting with his first hit, “Fingertips” in 1963 and continuing through “For Once In My Life” in 1969, Wonder established himself as a superior musical talent. He also appeared in two “beach party” movies with Sixties icon Annette Funicello, performing a musical number in each. Wonder would continue his recording success, achieving superstar status in the Seventies and Eighties. He won a Grammy award for his duet with Tony Bennett on a reworking of “For Once In My Life” in 2005 and sang at the funeral of Whitney Houston.

1. Paul McCartney

Sir James Paul McCartney became almost as popular as Jesus at the height of Beatlemania in the Sixties. It’s hard to describe to people who didn’t live through that time just how the Beatles affected popular culture around the world in 1964 and 1965. They held the top five spots on Billboard’s Hot 100 and had seven other songs on the chart as well. There were Beatles’ wigs, lunch boxes, cartoons, even Beatles record players. Radio stations changed formats, teenagers grew their hair, and a plethora of sound-alike bands appeared. Other musical acts criticized them, until they found out that the Beatles were bringing more people into record stores than ever before and many record labels, such as Motown, found increased record sales for talented newer acts like the Supremes. Older acts struggled as the music industry catered to a younger demographic. McCartney has remained a sold-out live act into the 21st century and he continues touring and recording. Honorable mention should go to his Beatles band mate Ringo Starr, who continues touring with his All-Star band.

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