Inside the Wilson Family’s garage in California around 1961 a bunch of teenage surfers were putting harmonies and lyrics together to match their beach style.

The same year, five soulful men – who’d also dabbled with vocal harmonies for years – auditioned for Motown Records under the name of The Elgins, later to become The Temptations.

Meantime, across continents the British Invasion was beginning, and The Hollies were becoming known around Manchester and beyond for their three-part harmony style by 1963.

Further north in Newcastle upon Tyne, rockers The Animals were finding fame with their gritty, bluesy sound and deep-voiced frontman in 1964.

Before the decade was out, a song about a cleaning lady scored a young Johnny Farnham his first number 1 hit in a continent on the other side of the world in 1967.

Each of these acts are descending upon the Illawarra in 2017, a renaissance of the 60’s, a decade of pop, rock, blues and good times.

Otis Williams, 75, is the last original member of The Temptations, as the doo-wop group has undergone many lineup changes over the year – similar to other groups standing the test of time.

But he says regardless, the music is the “main criteria” for them to do what they do and continue pleasing crowds.

“I think that the songs we’ve been able to do – like ‘My Girl’, ‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg’ and ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ and such – those songs are so well accepted the world over that it is very well for us to be appreciated and so loved ... 60 years later we’re still having that wonderful ride,” Williams said.

“I’m too young to retire ... I’m going to ride the horse to court and when I get off the horse it’s going to be bald, I’m just going to continue until I cant do it anymore."

The Temptations will headline with The Beach Boys, led by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 10.

Though without Brian Wilson, Al Jardine or David Marks, their legacy will continue through their hits like “Surfin”, “California Girls”, “Good Vibrations” and “Kokomo”.

Days later on February 16, The Hollies bring their “highway of hits” to the same venue with founding members Bobby Elliot and Tony Hicks

Fans will love “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)”, “Bus Stop”, “I’m Alive” and the song that’s featured in numerous movies and commercials, “The Air That I Breathe”,

The man who’s renowned for comebacks, John Farnham, will rip out the hits “Age of Reason” and “Pressure Down” as the headline act of Kiama’s Red Hot Summer Tour on March 18.

He’ll be performing alongside some other Aussie artists who were probably just finding their musical creativity during the 60’s, James Reyne and Daryl Braithwaite.

Before “The House of the Rising Sun” and “We’ve Gotta Get Out of this Place” will echo through Wollongong’s Centro CBD with John Steel and The Animals.

The Beach Boys & The Temptations, WIN Entertainment Centre, February 10, www.ticketmaster.com.au 

The Hollies, WIN Entertainment Centre, February 16, www.ticketek.com.au 

Red Hot Summer Tour: John Farnham (with James Reyne, Daryl Braithwaite, Shannon Noll & Taxride), Kiama Showgrounds, March 18, www.ticketmaster.com.au 

The Animals, Centro CBD Wollongong, May 18, www.metropolistouring.com