The 5 Best Psychedelic Rock Bands of the ’70s

In this blog post, we countdown the five best psychedelic rock bands of the ’70s. From Pink Floyd to Led Zeppelin, these bands brought the genre to the mainstream.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

No band is more synonymous with psychedelic rock than The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Although the group only released three studio albums before Hendrix’s untimely death in 1970, they remain one of the most influential and celebrated rock bands of all time. From their mind-bending performances at the Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock to hits like “Purple Haze” and “All Along the Watchtower,” The Jimi Hendrix Experience left an indelible mark on music history.

Cream

Cream was a British rock power trio formed in 1966 consisting of bassist/singer Jack Bruce, drummer Ginger Baker, and guitarist/singer Eric Clapton. The group’s third album, Wheels of Fire (1968), is the world’s first platinum-selling double album. Cream were also ranked number 16 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.

The band’s debut album Fresh Cream (1966) was a commercial success in the UK and they toured extensively in support of it. One single from the album, “I Feel Free”, peaked at No. 11 on the UK charts. The band’s second album, Disraeli Gears (1967), was also a success, reaching No. 5 in the UK and No. 4 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Two singles from the album, “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Strange Brew”, reached the top ten on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart; “Sunshine of Your Love” also peaked at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart.

The group’s final studio album, Goodbye (1969), was less successful commercially than their previous two albums; it peaked at No. 11 in the UK and only reached No. 53 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Two singles were released from Goodbye: “Badge” (a collaboration between Clapton and George Harrison) and “Crossroads”. Cream disbanded following their farewell tour in 1968; Baker moved to Africa while Bruce and Clapton started working with different musicians on solo projects; both would achieve considerable success in later years with other bands and as solo artists

The Doors

One of the most influential and controversial rock bands of the 1960s, the Doors were founded in Los Angeles in 1965 by UCLA film school friends Ray Manzarek (keyboards), Jim Morrison (vocals), and John Densmore (drums). The trio met while jamming together and decided to form a band, with Manzarek switching to bass. They took their name from Aldous Huxley’s The Doors of Perception, a reference to Huxley’s experience with mescaline. The band began playing the L.A. club circuit and soon caught the attention of Elektra Records, who signed them in 1966.

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd is an English rock band formed in London. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. Pink Floyd is one of the most commercially successful and influential bands of all time. The band have sold over 250 million records worldwide, including 74.5 million albums in the United States.

Pink Floyd’s music is marked by the use of innovative recording techniques, extended instrumental passages, and elaborate live shows. They are renowned for their philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, and elaborate live shows. Their work is often categorized as art rock, experimental rock, and psychedelic rock.

The band was founded in 1965 by Syd Barrett on guitar and lead vocals, Nick Mason on drums, Roger Waters on bass and lead vocals, and Richard Wright on keyboards and backing vocals. Barrett was replaced by David Gilmour in 1968. Wright left the band in 1979; he was replaced by keyboardist Dick Parry. Waters left the band in 1985; Gilmour became their primary lead singer and lyricist after Barrett’s departure.

The final Pink Floyd album, The Endless River (2014), was recorded without Waters and featured new contributions from Wright who died in 2008. Pink Floyd were inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. By 2013 they had sold more than 250 million records worldwide

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. Led Zeppelin is widely considered one of the most successful, innovative and influential rock groups in history. They are one of the best-selling music artists in the world, with estimated sales of more than 200 million records. With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are regularly cited as one of the progenitors of heavy metal.