6 of the 60s: 6/5/13 (1968)...

Hey gang, it's time for another half-dozen nuggets from the 60s, and I'm back to 1968, their year radical feminist Valerie Solanas shot and wounded Andy Warhol in an attempt to kill him, to be later judged insane.This week I've got six of the best R&B singers (and singers in general) of the entire rock era.

Marvin Gaye - "I Heard It Through The Grapevine"
from the album In The Groove (1968)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriters: Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield

What some have called the greatest single of rock and roll (Rolling Stones' Dave Marsh among them), this still gives me the crying shivers thinking about the opening of The Big Chill.

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Aretha Franklin - "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone"
from the album Lady Soul (1968)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5
Songwriters: Aretha Franklin, Ted White

Aretha at her mainstream pop-iest, though she still takes this underlying theme of heartbreak to church.

Sam & Dave - "I Thank You"
from the album I Thank You (1968)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9
Songwriters: Isaac Hayes, David Porter

The iconic soul duo's last single for Stax Records was revived a decade later by Texan boogie-rockers ZZ Top.

Gladys Knight & The Pips - "The End Of Our Road"
from the album Feelin' Bluesy (1968)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #15
Songwriters: Roger Penzabene, Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield

Like "I Heard It Through...", a Strong/Whitfield song first done by Knight and soon covered by Marvin Gaye, lyrics here were provided by Penzabene, who wrote this as his marriage was falling apart, and committed suicide not long after this release. Sad.

Wilson Pickett - "I'm A Midnight Mover"
from the album The Midnight Mover (1968)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #24
Songwriters: Wilson Pickett, Bobby Womack

This collaboration of soul A-listers writing this slinky jam is a must for a nighttime house party...

 Otis Redding - "Amen"
from the album The Immortal Otis Redding (1968)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #36
Songwriter: Jester Hairston

The best way to close this week's flashback out is with the great Otis, with a song from his first posthumous album. Amen indeed.

Tomorrow I'll return with 7 more from 1978 and 8 from 1988...