70s Rock Art: A Post-Psychedelic Movement
Contents
Looking at the artwork of the 70s rock scene, it’s easy to see the influence of the psychedelic movement that preceded it. But what came after? In this blog post, we explore the post-psychedelic art scene of the 1970s.
Introduction
The psychedelic movement of the late 1960s had a profound effect on the world of rock music, and its impact would be felt for years to come. Psychedelic art, with its bright colors and mind-bending imagery, was the perfect visual companion to the new wave of experimental music that was being created. Many of the most famous album covers of the era were psychedelic masterpieces.
As the 1970s progressed, however, thepsychedelic aesthetic began to fall out of favor. Rock artists began to experiment with different styles, and a new movement known as “post-psychedelic” art emerged. This style was characterized by simpler, more minimalistic designs. Post-psychedelic artwork often featured stark imagery and dark colors, reflecting the change in mood that had occurred in the popular music of the time.
The post-psychedelic movement produced some of the most iconic album covers in rock history. Here are just a few examples of this fascinating period in art and music.
The Beatles and the Post-Psychedelic Movement
By the early 1970s, the Beatles were the undisputed leaders of the post-psychedelic moment in rock art. In 1967, they released Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, an album that would go on to change the course of popular music. With its colorful packaging and innovative sound, Sgt. Pepper’s sparked a new era of creativity in the rock world.
The Beatles’ influence was felt far beyond their native England. In America, bands like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane began experimenting with psychedelic sounds and visuals. The Dead’s 1968 album, Anthem of the Sun, featured graphic artwork by Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley that was inspired by the hallucinogenic drug experiences of band members Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir. Jefferson Airplane’s 1969 album Volunteers featured portraits of the band members surrounded by images of social unrest.
These albums and others like them helped to define the post-psychedelic aesthetic. Rock art became more experimental and personal, often reflecting the political and social turmoil of the times. The Beatles’ own artworks became increasingly reflective of their inner emotions and feelings as they moved away from their earlier, more lighthearted approach. This more introspective approach to rock art would come to characterize the post-psychedelic era.
The Rolling Stones and the Post-Psychedelic Movement
The Rolling Stones and the Post-Psychedelic Movement
In the early 1970s, the Rolling Stones embarked on a new musical direction that would see them move away from their blues roots and into more experimental territory. This period of their career is often referred to as their “post-psychedelic” period, and it produced some of their most iconic artwork.
During this time, the Stones experimented with a variety of different styles, from psychedelic pop to hard rock. They also began incorporating more elements of world music into their sound. This is best exemplified on their 1971 album “Sticky Fingers”, which features an image of a pair of jeans on its cover. The album was a massive success, and it cemented the Stones’ reputation as one of the most innovative and influential rock bands of all time.
The artwork for “Sticky Fingers” was created by pop artist Andy Warhol. Warhol was a major player in the New York art scene, and he had already gained notoriety for his iconic soup can paintings. The Stones were huge fans of his work, and they asked him to design the cover for their album. Warhol agreed, and he came up with the now-famous image of a pair of jeans with a bulging crotch. The image was controversial at the time, but it has since become one of the most iconic pieces of album artwork in history.
The Rolling Stones continued to experiment with their sound throughout the 1970s, and they released a series of classic albums including “Exile on Main Street” (1972) and “Some Girls” (1978). Their artwork during this period reflected their musical evolution, and it pushed boundaries in terms of both form and content. The Stones are still making music today, and their art continues to be as groundbreaking as ever.
Led Zeppelin and the Post-Psychedelic Movement
The Psychedelic movement of the late 60’s had a profound effect on popular culture and music, with bands such as The Beatles and The Grateful Dead experimenting with mind-altering drugs and expanding the possibilities of what rock music could achieve. However, by the early 70s, the Psychedelic movement had begun to wane, as many of its key exponents either disbanded or moved in different musical directions.
In Britain, a new generation of hard rock bands emerged, including Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. These groups took the raw energy and power of Psychedelia and distilled it into a heavier, more aggressive sound. They also downplayed the social and political concerns of their predecessors, opting instead for a more escapist brand of entertainment.
While Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath are usually seen as the progenitors of heavy metal, they were also part of a broader Post-Psychedelic Movement that included other genres such as Prog Rock and Glam Rock. This movement was characterized by its emphasis on grandiose spectacle and larger-than-life personalities. It was also strongly influenced by British Swinging London fashion and culture.
bands such as Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Yes, ELO, Queen, David Bowie, Roxy Music, Slade, T. Rex etc. all helped to define this unique period in rock music history.
Pink Floyd and the Post-Psychedelic Movement
The early 1970s saw the rise of a new type of rock art, which synthesized the influences of psychedelia with other styles such as pop art, minimalism, and avant-garde. This new style was dubbed “post-psychedelic” by critic Paul Williams, who wrote extensively on the subject in his 1971 book Outlaw Blues.
Pink Floyd were at the forefront of this new movement, and their album The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) is often seen as the pinnacle of post-psychedelic rock art. The album’s iconic cover features a refracting prism designed by Storm Thorgerson, which became one of the most recognized images of the 1970s.
Other notable post-psychedelic albums include David Bowie’s Low (1977), Brian Eno’s Before and After Science (1977), and Talking Heads’ More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978). These and other post-psychedelic records helped to define an era of transition in rock music, as traditional psychedelic sounds gave way to new forms of experimentalism.
Conclusion
The emergence of rock art in the 1970s was a direct result of the post-psychedelic movement. This movement sought to challenge traditional norms and values, and instead promote a more open-minded and tolerant society. The artistic style of rock art was heavily influenced by psychedelic drugs, which were used by many artists of the time. This can be seen in the bright colors and swirls that are often present in the paintings.
Today, rock art is still popular, and can be seen in many homes and businesses. It is a reminder of the countercultural values that defined a generation, and continues to inspire people of all ages.
