60’s Psychedelic Surf Rock: The Best of the Decade
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Looking back on the 60’s, it’s hard to deny that Psychedelic Surf Rock was one of the defining genres of the decade. If you’re a fan of the genre, or just want to take a trip down memory lane, check out our list of the best Psychedelic Surf Rock songs of the 60’s.
The Rise of Psychedelic Surf Rock
In the early 60’s, surf rock was born. With its catchy melodies, reverb-drenched guitar licks, and infectious rhythms, the genre quickly became popular. But by the end of the decade, something new was brewing. Psychedelic surf rock combined the best elements of surf rock with the new sounds of the psychedelic era. The results were mind-blowing.
The birth of surf rock
In the early 1960s, surf rock emerged as a subgenre of rock music. Surf rock featured the use of electric guitars, drums and bass, as well as keyboards and other instruments. The sound was characterized by a “wet” or “damp” reverb effect, which was produced by using a spring reverb unit. This effect was often used in conjunction with a tremolo effect to create an even more surf-like sound.
The influence of psychedelic drugs
Psychedelic drugs had a profound influence on the music of the 1960s. The most popular and well-known psychedelic drug was LSD, which was first synthesized in 1938. It was not until the early 1960s that LSD began to be used recreationally by young people in the United States. Other popular psychedelic drugs of the time included psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms), mescaline (the active ingredient in peyote), and DMT (dimethyltryptamine).
Psychedelic drugs cause alterations in perceptions, emotions, and thoughts. They can also cause users to experience visual and auditory hallucinations. These effects are often described as “trips.” Psychedelic drugs became popular among young people in the 1960s because they were seen as a way to escape from the mundane realities of everyday life. They were also used as a means of self-exploration and self-discovery.
Psychedelic drugs had a significant impact on the music of the 1960s. Many musicians credit their use of these substances with helping them to write more innovative and experimental music. The Beatles, for example, were heavily influenced by LSD, and their later work reflects this influence. The Beach Boys also wrote several songs about their use of psychedelic drugs, including “Good Vibrations” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” Other well-known bands that wrote songs about psychedelics include Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, and The Doors.
The use of psychedelic drugs declined in the late 1960s and early 1970s, partially due to increased awareness of their potential dangers. However, their influence on music continued long after their popularity had faded. Many of the most iconic bands of the 1970s, including Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Grateful Dead, were influenced by psychedelic drugs.
The popularity of surf rock in the 60s
Psychedelic surf rock was at its peak in popularity during the 1960s. This type of music blended the sounds of surf rock with elements of psychedelic rock, resulting in a unique and distinctive sound. Many famous bands and artists emerged during this time period, including The Beach Boys, The Ventures, and The Surfaris. Psychedelic surf rock quickly became one of the most popular genres of music during the 1960s, and its influence can still be heard in today’s music.
The Best Psychedelic Surf Rock Bands of the 60s
Psychedelic surf rock was at its peak in the sixties, with bands like The Beach Boys and The Ventures experimenting with new sounds. This new genre combined the best of both worlds: the laid-back vibe of surf music with the psychedelic sounds of the new decade. If you’re looking for the best psychedelic surf rock bands of the sixties, look no further. In this article, we’ll countdown the top three bands of the decade.
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are one of the most successful and influential bands of all time. They were founded in 1961 in Southern California and rose to prominence with their surf-themed songs and party anthems. The Beach Boys were one of the first bands to experiment with psychedelic sounds and they had a huge impact on the development of surf rock. The band’s later years were marred by legal troubles, drug addiction, and personnel changes, but they continued to tour and record into the 21st century.
The Ventures
The Ventures were an American instrumental rock band, formed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington. Founded by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, they are considered one of the most influential and prolific bands of the surf rock era. During their peak years, the group sold over 20 million records worldwide and had 37 hit singles. Their 1960 hit “Walk, Don’t Run” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. For their contributions to music, the Ventures were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
The Surfaris
If you close your eyes and listen to “Wipe Out,” The Surfaris’ most famous song, you can almost feel the sand between your toes and the sun on your face. It’s the perfect representation of what made the California surf rock band so special — their ability to make you feel like you were there, even if you’d never been to the beach in your life.
The Surfaris were one of the most popularPsychedelic Surf Rock bands of the 60s, and their music still holds up today. Songs like “Surfer Joe,” “Point Panic,” and “Misirlou” are some of the most iconic surf rock songs ever recorded, and they helped cement The Surfaris as one of the greatest surf rock bands of all time.
The Best Psychedelic Surf Rock Songs of the 60s
Psychedelic surf rock emerged in the late 1960s, fusing the genres of surf rock and psychedelia. The result was a new, mind-bending sound that transported listeners to another place and time. From the Beach Boys to the Ventures, the 60s were filled with some of the best psychedelic surf rock songs of all time.
“Pipeline” by The Ventures
“Pipeline” is a 1963 instrumental surf rock song by The Ventures. It is one of their best-known and most influential songs. The song was written by Brian Carman and Bob Bogle, the band’s bassist. It was originally released on their album Walk, Don’t Run (1964).
“Pipeline” is known for its distinctive riff, which has been described as “one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in popular music history”. The song has been covered by many artists, including Dick Dale, The Beach Boys, and Cliff Richard. It has also been used in film and television soundtracks, such as Pulp Fiction (1994),Point Break (1991), Jackie Brown (1997), Full House (1992–1995), and Hawaii Five-0 (2010–present).
“Surfin’ Safari” by The Beach Boys
“Surfin’ Safari” is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for American rock band the Beach Boys. It was released as a single in October 1962, backed with “409”, with the intention of promoting their debut album Surfin’ Safari. The single reached number 14 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, and was the Beach Boys’ first song to enter the Top 40. Despite its success, “Surfin’ Safari” was not included on the band’s debut LP of the same name; instead, it appeared on their second album, Surfin’ U.S.A., which was released in early 1963.
Despite its success, “Surfin’ Safari” was not included on the band’s debut LP of the same name; instead, it appeared on their second album, Surfin’ U.S.A., which was released in early 1963.
The Beach Boys returned to recording surf rock songs later in their career with tracks such as “Surfin’ USA”, “Be True to Your School”, “Little Deuce Coupe”, and “Fun, Fun Fun”.
“Wipe Out” by The Surfaris
The Surfaris were an American surf rock band formed in Glendora, California in 1962. The group had numerous hits, the most successful of which was “Wipe Out” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was originally composed as an instrumental, but vocalist Doug Fieger was brought in to add lyrics and a lead vocal. The result was one of the most iconic and influential surf rock songs of all time.
