Psychedelic Rock Bands That Became Classic Rock Icons

Psychedelic rock bands like Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead, and Jefferson Airplane defined an era of mind-expanding music and fashion.

The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band in history.Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented with several musical styles, ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical elements and unconventional recording techniques in innovative ways. In 1963, their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania”; as the group’s music grew in sophistication, led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, the band were integral to pop music’s evolution into an art form and to the development of the counterculture of the 1960s.

Formed in 1960 in Liverpool, England

The Beatles formed in 1960 in Liverpool, England and became one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands in history. The group members were John Lennon (guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass, vocals), George Harrison (guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals). They are often referred to as the “Fab Four” and are considered to be the most influential band of the 20th century.

The Beatles achieved widespread fame with their innovative music, lyrics and performances. They introduced a number of new elements to popular music and rock & roll, including their distinctive dress style and use of Indian instruments on songs like “Norwegian Wood.” They also became known for their high-profile drug use, especially during their time in India with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

The group’s early hits include “Love Me Do,” “Please Please Me” and “She Loves You.” In 1964, they achieved world-wide fame with their first album release in the United States, “Meet The Beatles!” Their popularity continued to grow with subsequent releases such as “Help!” (1965), “Rubber Soul” (1965), “Revolver” (1966) and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1967). By 1968, the band had become international superstars and were widely regarded as one of the greatest rock & roll bands of all time.

The group began to experience internal tensions in 1968 which led to their eventual break-up in 1970. Following the break-up, each member pursued a solo career. Lennon was murdered by a deranged fan in 1980; Harrison died of cancer in 2001; Starr remains an active performer; and McCartney is still regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

Members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. With members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, they became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band of the 20th century. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented with several musical styles, ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical elements and unconventional recording techniques in innovative ways. In 1963, their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania”; as the group’s music grew in sophistication following their abdication of pop art concerns to record producer George Martin, they came to be perceived as an embodiment of progressive ideals amid the reactionary cultural climate of the Britain.

With a sound rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, The Beatles later experimented with several genres including pop ballads, Indian music, psychedelia and hard rock. They incorporated classical elements and unconventional recording techniques in innovative ways that influenced numerous artists across multiple genres. The band’s enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania” before overtaking them entirely; as the group’s music grew in sophistication under producer George Martin’s direction at EMI Studios in Abbey Road. They came to be perceived as an embodiment of progressive ideals during a reactionary cultural climate of 1960s Britain.

Notable Songs: “Help!”, “Yesterday”, “Let it Be”

With a string of #1 hits that began in the United Kingdom in 1963 and continued throughout the decade, the Beatles became a worldwide phenomenon. Consisting of John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals), the Beatles are widely considered to be the most influential band of all time.

The group were initially influenced by 1950s rock and roll and skiffle music, as well as groups such as the Quarrymen, who they met while playing clubs in Liverpool. They began incorporating elements of classical music and pop into their songwriting, which led to their signature “Beatle sound”. The Beatles’ early songs “Please Please Me” and “Love Me Do” established their popularity in Britain.

In 1964, they achieved international success with their first album A Hard Day’s Night, which topped both the UK and US charts. Their next album, Beatles for Sale (1964), was less successful but contained the hit singles “Eight Days a Week” and “Help!”. The band’s fourth album, Rubber Soul (1965), marked a further evolution in their sound with more complex songwriting and greater use of studio techniques. Revolver (1966) continued this trend with classic tracks such as “Eleanor Rigby” and “Yellow Submarine”.

The Beatles’ psychedelic period began with Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). The album topped charts in both the UK and US, won four Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums ever made. The follow-up album The Beatles (1968), commonly known as The White Album due to its all-white cover art, was also highly successful and included tracks such as “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, “Birthday”, and “Helter Skelter”.

The band’s next album Abbey Road (1969) featured more experimental songwriting and is notable for its side-long medley consisting of several shorter songs. Their final album Let It Be (1970) was released posthumously after Lennon left the group; it included hit singles such as “The Long and Winding Road” and “Let It Be”.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are a British rock band that formed in London in 1962. The original lineup consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (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, having already been replaced by Mick Taylor, who remained until 1974.

Formed in 1962 in London, England

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London, England, in 1962. The first stable lineup consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass), Charlie Watts (drums), and Ian Stewart (piano). Stewart was removed from the official lineup in 1963 but continued to work with the band as a contracted musician until his death in 1985. Jones died less than a month after recording finished for their debut album and was replaced by Mick Taylor.

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. Rooted in blues and early rock and roll, they later experimented with psychedelic rock and hard rock. The band continued to release commercially successful albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including Some Girls (1978) and Tattoo You (1981), their two best-selling albums worldwide. From 1983 to 1987, tensions between Jagger and Richards almost caused the band to split; however, they managed to patch up their friendship in 1989. They separated temporarily to work on solo projects in 1993 but reconvened a year later for Voodoo Lounge\tand have since notched several more studio cohorts: Bridges to Babylon (1997), A Bigger Bang
(2005) – their most recent one – as well as live outfit Love You Live
(1977).

The Rolling Stones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989\tand the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004. They have released 30 studio albums, 18 live albums and numerous compilations. Let It Bleed\t(1969) marked their first of five consecutive No. 1 studio albums in the UK\t– an unparalleled feat – while 2002’s Forty Licks\tspanned compilations covering all that period’s previously released material plus new recordings.

Members: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band that formed in 1962. First popular in Europe, they quickly gained international acclaim and became one of the most iconic and influential rock bands of all time. The Rolling Stones have released over 30 studio albums and have sold over 200 million records worldwide.

Mick Jagger is the band’s primary vocalist and songwriter, while Keith Richards is the main guitarist. Charlie Watts is the drummer, and Ronnie Wood plays rhythm guitar. The Rolling Stones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004. They have received numerous awards throughout their career, including multiple Grammy Awards, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Music Awards.

Notable Songs: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, “Paint it Black”, “Start Me Up”

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. The first stable line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass), Charlie Watts (drums), and Ian Stewart (piano). Stewart was removed from the official line-up in 1963 but continued to work with the band as a contracted musician until his death in 1985. 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, having already been replaced by Mick Taylor, who remained until 1974. After Taylor left the band, Ronnie Wood took his place in 1975 and has been on guitar in tandem with Richards ever since. Since Wyman’s retirement in 1993, Darryl Jones has served as touring bassist. The Stones were at the forefront of the British Invasion of bands that became popular in the US in 1964.

The Rolling Stones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004. Rolling Stone magazine ranked them fourth on their “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” list and their estimated record sales are above 250 million. They have released 30 studio albums, 18 live albums and numerous compilations. Let It Bleed (1969) was their first album to be released exclusively in North America; it included “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; Paint it Black; and Gimme Shelter.”Start Me Up”, from Tattoo You (1981) was their last top ten US hit single while “Harlem Shuffle” charted at number two on Billboard city charts in early 1987. Their most recent studio album of new material Steel Wheels was released in 1989 and reached number three behind Billy Joel’s Storm Front and Bon Jovi’s New Jersey respectively on Billboard 200 chart while Harlem Shuffle re-entered Billboard 100 peak at number sixty one.”Love is Strong”, off Voodoo Lounge peaked at nine on Billboard Modern Rock singles chart while Out of Tears peaked at thirty five on Billboard Hot 100 chart.”You Got Me Rocking” peaked at twenty eight on Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.”Brown Sugar” is one of their most well known songs worldwide reaching number one seven different charts including Canada,”Start Me Up” peaked at number two spot five different charts worldwide including United States,”(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” reached number one four different charts including United Kingdom,”Paint It Black” topped three different charts including Italy,”Harlem Shuffle” topped two charts including Netherlands.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin is one of the most iconic bands in the history of rock music. They formed in 1968 and went on to become one of the most influential and successful rock bands of all time. Led Zeppelin is credited with helping to pioneer the sound of psychedelic rock and they have inspired countless other bands.

Formed in 1968 in London, England

Led Zeppelin was a British rock band originally formed in 1968 by guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, singer Robert Plant, and drummer John Bonham. The band’s heavy, guitar-driven sound has led them to be regarded as one of the progenitors of heavy metal. Their style drew from a wide variety of influences, including blues, psychedelia, and folk music.

After signing with Atlantic Records in 1969, Led Zeppelin released their self-titled debut album the following year. The album was a commercial success, reaching number four on the UK charts and number 10 on the US Billboard 200. The band’s next two albums, Led Zeppelin II (1969) and Led Zeppelin III (1970), also sold well, reaching numbers one and two on the US charts, respectively. Led Zeppelin’s fourth album, 1971’s untitled release commonly referred to as Led Zeppelin IV or Zoso (after its four symbols featured on the record’s inner sleeve), featured their most popular song, “Stairway to Heaven”. The album is one of the best-selling albums of all time with over 37 million copies sold worldwide.

Led Zeppelin’s subsequent albums performed similarly well commercially and were critically acclaimed. 1975’s Physical Graffiti was the first album to be certified 16x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying shipments of over 16 million copies in the United States. The band ended their active career in 1980 following Bonham’s death from alcohol intoxication at the age of 32.

Members: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham

Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham formed Led Zeppelin in 1968, and the band went on to become one of the most influential rock bands of all time. The group was known for their powerful blues-based rock sound and their improvisational live shows. Led Zeppelin released nine studio albums between 1969 and 1979, including their best-known album, Led Zeppelin IV (1971), which featured the classic rock anthem “Stairway to Heaven.” The band also had a major impact on the development of heavy metal music. Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1980 following the death of drummer John Bonham.

Notable Songs: “Stairway to Heaven”, “Whole Lotta Love”, “Kashmir”

Formed in 1968, Led Zeppelin consisted of vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. The band’s heavy, guitar-driven sound has led them to be cited as one of the progenitors of heavy metal. They were also ranked number 51 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”. Their song “Stairway to Heaven” is often cited as the greatest rock song of all time.

Led Zeppelin’s early releases were rooted in blues and folk music. Their Debbie Harry-sung cover of Willie Dixon’s “You Need Love” backed with Plant’s original composition “Whole Lotta Love” became their first top ten hit in the UK when released as a single in early 1969. Later that year their debut album, Led Zeppelin, was released to critical acclaim. It topped the charts in several countries, including the US, where it was certified platinum by the RIAA. Over the next five years, Led Zeppelin released five more studio albums that topped the US charts and sold over 100 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the most commercially successful groups in music history.

In 1975, Led Zeppelin took a break from touring afterBonham’s alcohol-related death prompted them to dissolve. In 1980, they reunited for a one-offbenefit concert before fully reforming in 2007 for a reunion tour that continues to this day.

Pink Floyd

Psychedelic rock bands were a dime a dozen in the late 1960s, but few have managed to stand the test of time like Pink Floyd. Emerging from the London underground scene, Pink Floyd combined elements of psychedelic rock, blues, and jazz to create a unique sound that would go on to influence generations of musicians. With their progressive and experimental approach to songwriting, Pink Floyd pushed the boundaries of what could be accomplished in rock music, and their groundbreaking albums The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, A Saucerful of Secrets, and Atom Heart Mother cemented their reputation as one of the most important rock bands of all time.

Formed in 1965 in London, England

Pink Floyd was an English rock band formed in London in 1965. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. Their 1970 album, “Atom Heart Mother”, featured a 20-minute-long section called “Atom Heart Mother Suite”, which was one of the first examples of electronica in rock music.

The band’s 1973 album, “The Dark Side of the Moon”, was an instant classic, and is still one of the best-selling albums of all time. The album’s opening track, “Speak to Me/Breathe”, is a timeless piece of music that has been used in countless movies and TV shows.

Pink Floyd continued to release successful albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including “Wish You Were Here” (1975) and “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” (1987). The band’s final album, “The Endless River” (2014), was a tribute to their late keyboardist Richard Wright.

Pink Floyd were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, and they received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys in 2005.

Members: Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason

Pink Floyd was an English rock band formed in London in 1965. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music.

The band consisted of four members: lead vocalist and guitarist Syd Barrett, bass guitarist and vocalist Roger Waters, keyboardist Richard Wright, and drummer Nick Mason. Barrett was the original lead singer of the band, but he left in 1968 due to mental health issues. Waters became the primary lyricist and conceptual leader of the group. Pink Floyd is known for their philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative cover art, and elaborate live shows.

They have sold over 250 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. The group has earned fourteen Grammy Awards, including two for Best Rock Album. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. In 1985, they received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Phonographic Industry Association.

Notable Songs: “Another Brick in the Wall”, “Wish You Were Here”, “Comfortably Numb”

Formed in 1965, Pink Floyd originally consisted of students Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright. The group emerged from the London music scene and became one of the most successful and influential rock bands of all time. Their unique blend of experimentalism, psychedelic rock, and classical influences earned them a place among the greats of English rock music.

Pink Floyd’s greatest commercial success came with the release of “The Dark Side of the Moon” in 1973. The album topped the charts in several countries and is one of the best-selling albums of all time. The band followed up with “Wish You Were Here” (1975), “Animals” (1977), and “The Wall” (1979).

In 1985, Waters left Pink Floyd amid creative differences. The band continued without him, releasing two more albums: “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” (1987) and “The Division Bell” (1994). Despite Waters’ departure, Pink Floyd remains one of the most iconic and influential rock bands in history.