Turn! Turn! Turn!: The Folk-Rock Anthem Makers

Turn! Turn! Turn! is an American folk-rock band best known for their chart-topping 1965 single of the same name. The group, formed from the vibrant Los Angeles folk scene, achieved a major milestone when their signature song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Early career

The band's origins trace back to the early 1960s in Los Angeles, California. Initially performing as a folk trio under a different name, the core members honed their sound blending traditional folk harmonies with the emerging energy of rock instrumentation.

Their early work involved playing local clubs and securing a recording contract with the independent label Date Records, a subsidiary of Columbia. This period was defined by their search for a distinctive hit that could bridge the folk and pop audiences.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough arrived definitively in late 1965 with the release of the single "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)". The song, adapted from the Book of Ecclesiastes by folk legend Pete Seeger, was given a full folk-rock arrangement featuring the iconic twelve-string guitar sound.

Released on Date Records, the single soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in December of that year, displacing The Beatles' "We Can Work It Out". The success propelled their album of the same name into the Top 40, earning a gold certification for over 500,000 copies sold.

Key tracks

Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season) — This number one hit defined the band's career and became a timeless anthem for the 1960s generation.

Hey Mr. Spaceman — A later single that showcased the band's ability to craft catchy, country-tinged rock songs with clever lyrics.

I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better — A jangly rocker written by a young Gene Clark, which became a fan favorite and a staple of their live performances.

Set You Free This Time — This track highlights the band's sophisticated songwriting and intricate vocal harmonies beyond their biggest hit.

It Won't Be Wrong — An energetic Byrds-inspired track that demonstrated their solid grasp of the folk-rock genre they helped popularize.

Following their initial success, Turn! Turn! Turn! continued to record and tour throughout the late 1960s. The band navigated the shifting musical landscape, experimenting with psychedelic and country-rock sounds on subsequent albums for Date and later, Columbia Records directly.

While they never replicated the monumental chart success of their first hit, they maintained a dedicated following. Their influence is heard in the work of countless jangle-rock and alternative country artists who followed, cementing their legacy as pivotal figures in the evolution of American folk-rock.

Fans of the band's harmonious and guitar-driven sound should also explore The Byrds. They share the foundational jangly twelve-string guitar sound and folk-rock fusion. The melodic songcraft of The Mamas And The Papas offers a similar harmony-rich 1960s pop sensibility. For the country-rock direction they later explored, listen to The Flying Burrito Brothers. The enduring folk-pop style is also evident in the work of Peter Paul And Mary.

The music of Turn! Turn! Turn! remains a staple on classic rock FM stations and dedicated 1960s music channels. Their tracks are regularly featured in rotations that celebrate the folk-rock era, ensuring new generations of listeners discover their timeless sound on various online rock radio streams.

You can hear the iconic folk-rock anthems of Turn! Turn! Turn! on radio stations featured right here on our website. Explore the diverse selection of independent music radio stations available on onairium.com to listen to this legendary American band.