Count, Duke, Stan, Harry, Gerald and Tubby in '65

Thought to be an endangered species in 1965 with the rise of Beatlemania, big bands staged something of a comeback. Most of their acclaim came on tours in Europe and and on TV, but the truth is that bands led by top names were undergoing a renaissance. With their kids in college or out of the house and rock starting to dominate the culture, many older listeners in the U.S. began paying attention again to artists who had shaped their youth. Abroad, a generation of young adults marveled at the power and swing of touring bands they had only heard on records or read about.

Here are videos of six spectacular big-band performances in 1965. Judge for yourself...

Here's Count Basie in London...

Here's Duke Ellington in Copenhagen...

Here's Stan Kenton in Chicago...

Here's part 1 of Harry James in Chicago...

Here's part 2...

Here's Gerald Wilson...

And finally, here's the Tubby Hayes Big Band in the U.K....