There's no question that rock & roll was created in the fifties. The sixties was known as the decade of the British bands and the changes they brought to the genre.
The early part of the sixties, much like the previous decade was a continuation of the doo-wop sounds and soulful ballads that had led the charts. The British invasion lent itself to a new sophistication in popular music sort of a rock with an international flavor. As the period progressed the music took on the undertones of the social unrest and defiance that drove the youth of the time. From hard rock to folk anthems music was all about discontent, with war in Vietnam, with the establishment, of the status quo in general.

Lets start with the first 3 or 4 years prior to the British invasion which was a continuation of the later half of the 1950's rock and doo wap era. The baby boomers were now teenagers and they loved to dance. Television shows like American Bandstand helped to promote new dance styles like the Twist, the Swim, the Locomotion, the Mashed Potato and others. These dance crazes were usually loosely veiled marketing attempts to promote a song about the particular dance. Enough probably can't be said about American Bandstand's influence on the popularity of these dance songs, the show needed ways to keep viewers tuned in with fresh material and the record companies wanted the exposure, it was a marriage made in heaven.

"The Twist" was a song written by Hank Ballard in 1959 but popularized by Chubby Checker in 1960. It's popularity was no doubt enhanced by the hugely successful dance. Checker also released the song titled "Pony Time" and the corresponding dance the Pony. Other artists with popular dance songs were Dee Dee Sharp and James Brown each had their own version of Mashed Potato and Bobby "Boris" Pickett did "The Monster Mash".

While the dance craze contributed a significant number of chart toppers, ballads were still ruling the day. Connie Francis was perpetually on top with songs like "My Heart Has A Mind of It's Own" and "Where the Boys Are", the Everly Brothers held top spots with "Cathy's Clown" and "Wake Up Little Susie". Elvis reemerged from the Army in 1960 with "It's Now or Never" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight", instant hits of course but what was new was having to compete with Girl Groups for air time. Groups like the Shirelles, the Ronettes, the Marvelettes and the Chiffons became a force of nature that although short lived contributed many hits. By 1963 Bobby Vinton was still belting out covers and the Beach Boys were the new and upcoming group. Then everything started to change. In response to a very well coordinated marketing campaign teenagers began paying attention to some new sounds coming out of Liverpool, U.K. In late '63 "I Want To Hold Your Hand" had sold one million copies before it was released and was the first song the Beatles wrote entirely for America. It was released to coincide with the their arriving in the U.S. February 07, 1964.