1964: The Old was still new

In 1964, as in many other decades, pop music tends to lag behind the vanguard in music. It could be assumed that the music industry establishment in New York and Los Angeles at that time was comprised of people from the Lost and Missionary generations, resulting in a complacent set of cultural values. The Beatles had eight songs in the top 40, and Blues records, which proved to be more influential on 60s music, were mostly obscure. In classical music, it was the recording that became popular, with the conductors as the putative celebrities. Classical music was more of an influence on the general study of music, and had its ripple effects in music schools, and in early recording studios, with Beatles producer George Martin having connections in both areas.

The 1964 Record of the Year was The Days of Wine and Roses by Henry Mancini which clearly demonstrates this lag in culture change. Even though 1964 is the beginning of The Awakening, there is an overlap of about 5 years before the new values begin to supplant the old.