Every Baby Boomer Alive Remembers These 4 Incredible Hard Rock Hits From 1968
Four hard rock hits helped bring the emerging genre to a wider audience in 1968: the Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild”, Cream’s “White Room” and Deep Purple’s “Hush”. Their chart success reflected growing interest among rock fans, including baby boomers, and showed hard rock drawing on blues and psychedelic sounds.
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” topped the UK chart and reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100; “Born to Be Wild” peaked at No. 2 in the US and topped Canada’s chart. “White Room”, written by Pete Brown and Jack Bruce, reached No. 6 on the Hot 100, while Deep Purple’s version of Joe South’s “Hush” reached No. 4. South’s song had first been recorded by Billy Joe Royal in 1967.
In short
- Four 1968 hits helped hard rock reach a wider audience.
- “Born to Be Wild” peaked at No. 2 in the US.
- Deep Purple’s “Hush” was a cover of a Joe South song.
Explained simply
Hard rock developed in the 1960s from earlier rock and roll, drawing on blues rhythms, louder guitars and heavier sounds. Psychedelic music, with its experimental approach to sound, also influenced some bands.
The Rolling Stones, Steppenwolf, Cream and Deep Purple each brought a different take on the style. Their 1968 hits reached large audiences, including young listeners who came of age during the post-war baby boom.
These songs show how hard rock was taking shape while borrowing from existing musical traditions. Their chart success helped carry the sound beyond smaller music scenes and into mainstream pop.