The Women Who Changed Psychedelic Rock in the 60’s

The Women Who Changed Psychedelic Rock in the 60s is a blog dedicated to celebrating the female pioneers of psychedelic rock. From the early days of the genre to the modern day, these women have made a lasting impact on music.

The Electric Ladyland Era

Psychedelic rock is often thought of as a male-dominated genre, but the women who made it what it is cannot be forgotten. In the late 60’s, women were beginning to take over the music industry. One of the most influential albums of that time was Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix. This album would not have been the same without the women who contributed to it.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was an American-English rock band that formed in London in September 1966. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Jimi Hendrix, bassist and backing vocalist Noel Redding, and drummer Mitch Mitchell comprised the group, which was active until June 1969. During this time, they released three studio albums—Are You Experienced (1967), Axis: Bold as Love (1967), and Electric Ladyland (1968)—and became one of the most influential acts in rock music.

Janis Joplin

By the time Janis Joplin joined Big Brother and the Holding Company in early 1967, the San Francisco music scene was already becoming world-renowned. The Bay Area had its own sound, fashion and cultural attitude, which was characterized by a strong DIY ethic, an emphasis on peace and love, and of course, mind-expanding drugs. Psychedelic rock was in full swing, and bands like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane were leading the charge. But it wasn’t just the boys who were making noise in this new music scene. Women like Grace Slick, Joan Baez and Janis Joplin were also leaving their mark on psychedelic rock.

Janis Joplin was born in Port Arthur, Texas in 1943. She was a self-described “misfit” who didn’t quite fit in with her conservative hometown. After high school, she left for the University of Texas at Austin but dropped out after only a year. She then moved to San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, where she quickly became involved in the local music scene. In 1966, she joined Big Brother and the Holding Company as their lead singer.

With her powerful voice and stage presence, Janis quickly became the center of attention whenever she performed. She was nicknamed “The Queen of Psychedelic Soul” for her ability to fuse together soul, blues and rock into one undeniable package. Her vocal style was sometimes compared to that of a howling dog – she wasn’t afraid to wail away or growl when she sang. And she didn’t just sing about love; her songs often dealt with darker themes like poverty, addiction and betrayal.

Janis Joplin only recorded two albums with Big Brother before striking out on her own as a solo artist in 1968. Her debut album, “Cheap Thrills,” featured her most famous song, “Piece of My Heart.” This song would go on to become an anthem for the entire generation of young people who were trying to make their way through the tumultuous 1960s.

Sadly, Janis Joplin’s life came to an abrupt end in 1970 at the age of 27. She died of a heroin overdose just before her second solo album was released. But even though she was gone too soon, her music continues to inspire listeners all over the world – more than 50 years after it was first recorded.

The Woodstock Era

The women of psychedelic rock banded together during the late 60’s to create a new sound that would change the face of rock music forever. These women were the driving force behind some of the most iconic bands of the Woodstock era, including the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and The Doors. They were also the first to experiment with drugs like LSD, which had a profound effect on their music.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young was a rock supergroup made up of four highly successful solo artists who came together to make music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The group was formed by singer-songwriter David Crosby and singer-songwriter Stephen Stills, who had been friends and collaborators since the mid-1960s. The duo was joined by singer-songwriter Graham Nash, who brought his own successful solo career to the group. The fourth member of the group was singer-songwriter Neil Young, who became involved after he played with the group on stage at a concert in 1968.

The four members of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were all renowned for their work as solo artists before they came together to form the group. Crosby was a member of the folk rock band The Byrds, which had a number of hits in the 1960s including “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!” Stills was a member of the psychedelic rock band Buffalo Springfield, which had hits with “For What It’s Worth” and “Rock n’ Roll Woman.” Nash was a member of The Hollies, a British Invasion-style pop band that had hits with “Bus Stop” and “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.” Young was also a member of Buffalo Springfield as well as a highly successful solo artist.

The four members of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were all highly respected songwriters and performers. They were able to blend their different styles to create a unique sound that appealed to both critics and fans. The group released two studio albums, “Déjà Vu” in 1970 and “Four Way Street” in 1971. They also released a live album called “Statement” in 1977. The group toured extensively throughout their career and were known for their elaborate stage shows.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young are often credited with helping to define the sound of psychedelic rock. Their music featured extended jams and complex song structures that were influenced by classical music and jazz. Their lyrics tackled social and political issues such as war, peace, love, and politics. The group’s success helped pave the way for other psychedelic rock bands such as Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.

Santana

Santana is a Latin rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1967 by Mexican-American guitarist Carlos Santana. The band first came to public attention with their performance of “Soul Sacrifice” at Woodstock in 1969. This exposure helped propel their debut album, also named Santana, into a hit, followed in the next two years by Abraxas and Santana III.

The British Invasion

In the 1960’s, a new type of music was born. Psychedelic rock emerged from the British Invasion, and it quickly caught on in the United States. The new sound was created by a combination of electric guitars, feedback, and distorted vocals. The first psychedelic rock song is said to be “I Can See for Miles” by The Who.

The Beatles

In 1964, the Beatles came to America and changed the face of popular music. Young people all over the country were suddenly listening to rock and roll, and the British Invasion had begun. The Beatles were not the only British band to find success in America, but they were undoubtedly the most popular. With their catchy tunes and charming personalities, the Fab Four quickly won over the hearts of American teenagers.

During their time in America, the Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show an unprecedented eight times. Their first appearance, which took place on February 9th, 1964, is often cited as one of the most important moments in television history. An estimated 73 million people watched as John, Paul, George, and Ringo performed five songs to a screaming audience of young fans.

In addition to their work on The Ed Sullivan Show, the Beatles also found time to film two movies during their time in America: A Hard Day’s Night and Help!. These films helped solidify the band’s image as lovable mischievous troublemakers, and they only further endeared them to their fanbase.

The Beatles’ impact on American culture cannot be overstated. They popularized a new genre of music and sparked a fashion revolution with their now-iconic hair and clothing style. They also changed the way that many Americans thought about race; prior to the British Invasion, interracial relationships were largely taboo. The Beatles’ willingness to embrace their black fans helped break down these barriers and make interracial relationships more acceptable.

The British Invasion was a truly transformative moment in American history, and there is no doubt that the Beatles were at the forefront of it all. Thank you for reading!

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones were an English rock band formed in 1962. The first stable line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (keyboards, piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). The band’s primary songwriters, Jagger and Richards, assumed leadership after Andrew Loog Oldham became the group’s manager. Jones left the band less than a month before his death in 1969; Stewart remained as a touring member until his death in 1985. Watts has been the band’s drummer since 1963.

The Rolling Stones were at the forefront of the British Invasion of bands that became popular in the United States in 1964 and were identified with the youthful and rebellious counterculture of the 1960s. They were instrumental in making blues a major part of rock and roll, and of changing the global perception of this genre’s potential from something played by people on street corners for spare change to something that could fill large concert arenas.