Welsh pop and rock music explained

Welsh pop and rock music is popular music of Wales produced commercially in Wales.

History

20th century

1960s

Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey dominated Welsh pop in the 60s. Bassey released her debut single, The Banana Boat Song in 1957 and in October 1964 released the James Bond film theme song, Goldfinger. In February 1965, Tom Jones released the hit single, It's Not Unusual, the start of his long career. Meic Stevens established himself in the 60s and the record label Sain was founded in 1969 in Cardiff by Dafydd Iwan and Huw Jones. The record label rapidly became the leading record company of Wales.^[1]

Popular artists

• Tom Jones
• Shirley Bassey
• Ricky Valance
• John Cale
• Amen Corner
• Bad Finger
• Mary Hopkin
• Man
• Meic Stevens^[2]

1970s

Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey continued their successful careers with Bassey releasing Diamonds Are Forever in 1972 and Jones releasing Daughter Of Darkness, I (Who Have Nothing), She's A Lady. Max Boyce established himself in the 70s and in 1973 he recorded the album Live At Treorchy (rugby club). Meic Stevens released his single Y Brawd Houdini, Edward H. Dafis became a popular rock group and Geraint Jarman's reggae inspired music became popular in Wales.^[3]

Popular artists

• Tom Jones
• Shirley Bassey
• Max Boyce
• Man
• Budgie
• Bad Finger
• Meic Stevens
• John Cale
• Edward H. Dafis^{[4] [5]}

1980s artists

• Young Marble Giants
• Super Furry Animals
• Shakin' Stevens
• Bonnie Tyler
• Yr Anhrefn
• Datblygu
• Llwybr Llaethog
• John Cale
• Tom Jones

1990s artists

• Manic Street Preachers
• Stereophonics
• Catatonia (band)
• Super Furry Animals
• Big Leaves
• Y Cyrff
• Tom Jones

21st century

2010s artists

• Lostprophets
• Funeral for a Friend
• Bullet for My Valentine
• Goldie Lookin Chain
• Duffy
• Charlotte Church
• Feeder (band)

2020s artists

• Tom Jones^[6]
• Stereophonics^[7]
• Catfish and the Bottlemen^[8]
• Super Fury Animals^[9]
• Dafydd Iwan^[10]
• Candelas^[11]
• Swnami
• Yws Gwynedd

See also

• Cool Cymru
• List of Welsh musicians
• Welsh Language Music Day

Notes and References

1. Web site: BBC Wales - Music - History of Welsh rock and pop - Popular Welsh music in the 1960s . 2022-08-14 . www.bbc.co.uk.
2. Web site: BBC Wales – Music – History of Welsh rock and pop – Popular Welsh music in the 1960s . 2022-06-21 . www.bbc.co.uk.
3. Web site: BBC Wales - Music - History of Welsh rock and pop - Popular Welsh music in the 1970s . 2022-08-14 . www.bbc.co.uk.
4. Web site: Edward H. Dafis music, videos, stats, and photos . 2022-06-21 . Last.fm . en.
5. News: 2021-08-15 . Edward H Dafis: Tributes paid to drummer Charli Britton . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-06-21.
6. Web site: 2022-06-18 . Watch: Tears in Sir Tom Jones' eyes during emotional performance . 2022-06-21 . Nation.Cymru . en-GB.
7. News: Welsh national anthem soars at Stereophonics gig . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-06-21.
8. News: Catfish and the Bottlemen: The story of their rise to fame . en . Absolute Radio . 2022-06-21.
9. Web site: 2021-12-02 . The true story behind Super Furry Animals 'The Man Don't Give A F*ck' . 2022-06-21 . Nation.Cymru . en-GB.
10. Web site: 2022-06-08 . Dafydd Iwan hits the number one spot with Yma o Hyd . 2022-06-21 . Nation.Cymru . en-GB.
11. Web site: Owens . David . 2015-02-23 . Yws Gwynedd, Candelas and Sŵnami triumphant at Welsh music awards . 2022-06-21 . WalesOnline . en.