Psychedelic Classic Rock Images That Will Blow Your Mind

A collection of the most mind-blowing psychedelic classic rock images from the 60s and 70s.

The Best of the Best

The sixties and seventies were a time of great change in music. Psychedelic rock emerged and quickly became one of the most popular genres of the time. The best psychedelic classic rock images reflect the energy and excitement of the music of the time.

The Beatles

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. They were integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and popular music’s recognition as an art form. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, their sound incorporated elements of classical music and traditional pop in innovative ways; the band later explored music styles ranging from ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock. During their career, the Beatles released some of the most commercially successful songs in history, such as “Yesterday”, “Hey Jude” and “Let It Be”. As a live band they were unparalleled during their heyday; their final tour in 1966 was marked by a series of innovative techniques such as concert sound amplification characterized by massive loudspeakers towering over the crowds, sophisticated new lighting effects such as strobe lights punctuating their performances at strategic moments with split second timing, psychedelia-themed stage design with psychedelic images (often designed by painters associated with Art Nouveau) on giant screens suspended above them that was used for special occasions such as when they gave their famous free concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on 29 August 1966 which was also their final commercial concert.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bass player and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are regularly cited as one of the progenitors of heavy metal, although their style drew from a variety of influences, including blues and folk music.

Pink Floyd

There are few bands as influential and iconic as Pink Floyd. For nearly five decades, the band has captivated audiences with their groundbreaking music and unforgettable live performances. In addition to their musical innovation, Pink Floyd is also known for their groundbreaking visuals.

From the mind-bending light shows of their early live performances to the surreal images in their music videos and album covers, Pink Floyd has always pushed the boundaries of what is possible in rock music.

In this gallery, we celebrate some of the best of Pink Floyd’s psychedelic visuals. From mind-bending live performances to trippy album covers, these images are sure to blow your mind.

The Not-So-Good

Psychedelic classic rock images are often times too much. They can be overwhelming and even disturbing. Sometimes they don’t make any sense. Let’s take a look at some of the not-so-good examples.

The Rolling Stones

In this picture, the English rock band The Rolling Stones are shown performing on stage in 1965. Psychedelic classic rock images like this one often feature brightly-colored, mind-bending visuals that can be incredibly trippy to look at. This particular image is noteworthy for its use of contrasting colors, curved lines, and unexpected patterns.

The Who

The Who is an English rock band that formed in 1964. The group’s classic line-up consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century, selling over 100 million records worldwide.

The Who’s early work was marked by a high level of innovation and creativity, with songs like “My Generation” and “I Can’t Explain” becoming instant classics. They later developed a more aggressive and powerful sound on tracks like “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Baba O’Riley”. The group has had a significant impact on popular culture, with their music being featured in films, TV shows, and video games.

The Who is considered one of the most important and influential rock bands of all time. They have sold over 100 million records worldwide and have been Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Queen

Few bands have been as influential and popular as Queen. The English rock group formed in London in 1970, and quickly rose to fame with their unique brand of “operatic” rock. Queen was comprised of lead singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, bassist John Deacon, and drummer Roger Taylor.

Queen’s first album, “Queen,” was released in 1973 and was an instant success. It included the hits “Keep Yourself Alive” and “Liar.” The band’s second album, “Queen II,” was released the following year and contained the single “Seven Seas of Rhye,” which became a Top 10 hit in the UK.

With the release of their third album, “Sheer Heart Attack,” in 1974, Queen began to gain popularity in the United States as well. The album included such hits as “Killer Queen” and “Now I’m Here.”

Queen cemented their place as one of the world’s premier rock bands with the release of their fourth album, “A Night at the Opera,” in 1975. The album contained the hits “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “You’re My Best Friend,” and “God Save the Queen.”

Over the next decade or so, Queen continued to release successful albums and singles, including “We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions,” which became an anthem for sporting events around the world; “Another One Bites the Dust; ; Under Pressure , their collaboration with David Bowie; ; and Seven Seas of Rhye . Mercury passed away from complications related to AIDS in 1991 at the age of 45; however , Brian May , John Deacon , ‘and Roger Taylor have continued to keep Queen’s legacy alive by touring with various guest vocalists , including Paul Rodgers .

The Worst of the Worst

The sixties and seventies were a time of change and self-expression. People were rebelling against the traditional values of their parents and were exploring new and exciting things. This included music, fashion, and art. Psychedelic music and art were particularly popular. They often featured bright colors, strange patterns, and mind-bending imagery.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

There are few bands that are more classic rock than Creedence Clearwater Revival. The Bay Area group was only together for a short time, but they left a lasting impression on the music world with their swampy, bluesy sound. And while their music is timeless, their fashion sense is… not so much.

The band’s style was heavily influenced by the “hippie” look of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and they were not afraid to experiment with different (and sometimes strange) fashion choices. From head-to-toe denim to sequined bell bottoms, CCR was not afraid to take style risks – even if they didn’t always pay off.

But no matter what they were wearing, one thing was for sure: Creedence Clearwater Revival was a band that knew how to rock.

Boston

Psychedelic music and imagery became inextricably linked in the public consciousness in the late 1960s, as rock bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd began experimenting with altered states of consciousness and expanding the possibilities of what popular music could be. While many of these bands would later distance themselves from their psychedelic past, the influence of drugs on music would continue to be felt throughout the classic rock era and beyond.

Despite its reputation as a relatively harmless way to alter one’s consciousness, LSD has been responsible for some of the most notorious moments in rock history. Roman Polanski’s 1968 film Rosemary’s Baby featured a pregnant Mia Farrow tripping on acid, while The Beatles’ 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was recorded after band members John Lennon and Paul McCartney had experimented with the drug. In 1970, Pink Floyd performed live at Pompeii while tripping on LSD, an experience that was captured in director Adrian Maben’s 1972 documentary Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii.

Kansas

The band Kansas was formed in 1973 in Topeka, Kansas. They are best known for their 1974 hit “Carry On Wayward Son” and for their progressive rock sound. The band has had multiple lineup changes over the years, but today the current members include guitarist/vocalist Ronnie Platt, violinist/vocalist David Ragsdale, bassist/vocalist Billy Greer, keyboardist Tom Brislin, and drummer Phil Ehart.

Kansas is one of the most successful classic rock bands of all time, selling more than 30 million albums worldwide. They have released 16 studio albums, three live albums, seven compilation albums, and 34 singles. The band has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and they were inducted into the Kansas Hall of Fame in 2013.

Although Kansas is no longer as active as they once were, they continue to tour and perform to sold-out crowds all over the world.