The Best Psychedelic Rock Artists of the 60s

A list of the best psychedelic rock artists of the 1960s.

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 act of the rock era. Rooted in skiffle 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. As pioneers in recording, songwriting and artistic presentation, the Beatles revolutionised many aspects of the music industry and popular culture.

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd is one of the most well-known psychedelic rock bands of the 60s. Hailing from England, the band is known for their innovative and experimental music, as well as their iconic album covers and live performances. Pink Floyd’s music has influenced many other artists and continues to be popular today.

The Doors

The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most controversial and influential rock acts of the 1960s because of Morrison’s wild, poetic lyrics and charismatic but unpredictable stage persona. After Morrison’s death in 1971 at age 27, the remaining members continued as a trio until finally disbanding in 1973.

Although they released only two albums during their active career as a band (the self-titled debut album and Strange Days), The Doors’ status as one of rock music’s most influential groups was cemented by the work of Morrison and the other members after his death. In the years following Morrison’s death, several books (including two by former band members) and numerous documentaries explored his life and work.

The Rolling Stones

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 guitar), 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 as lead guitarist and has remained on guitar in tandem with Richards ever since. Following Wyman’s departure in 1993, Darryl Jones joined as their touring bassist. Other touring keyboardists for the band have been Nicky Hopkins (1967–1982), Billy Preston (1971–1981), Ian McLagan (1978–1981), and Chuck Leavell (1982–present).

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 various genres including psychedelic rock, R&B, disco, and hard rock. During this period they used innovative techniques such as multi-track recording to produceLayla and Other Assorted Love Songs(1970). As they continued to experiment with styles throughout the 1970s and 1980s their output became more eclectic; many critics now perceive them as one of rock music’s most influential bands.[6] They were inducted into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame[7]andthe UK Music Hall of Famein 1989[8]and 2006 respectively; their latest albumBlue & Lonesome(2016) topped charts worldwide.[9][10][11] They have released 30 studio albums,[12][13]18 live albums,[14][15][16]and numerous compilations.[17] Let It Bleed(1969)[18]was their first LP to be certified gold in America,[19]followed bySticky Fingers(1971) [20][21],Exile on Main St.(1972) [22],Some Girls(1978)[23],Tattoo You(1981)[24],andUndercover(1983).[25] Voodoo Lounge(1994)[26],Keep Memory Alive: Best Of The 1990s[27],A Bigger Bang(2005)[28],and Blue & Lonesome[29] all topped charts worldwide.

The Who

The Who formed in London in 1964, and they soon established themselves as one of the most powerful and innovative rock bands of their generation. Their dynamic blend of hard rock, pop, and blues caught the attention of the young counterculture, and they quickly became one of the most popular bands of the 60s. The Who were at the forefront of the psychedelic rock movement, and their 1967 album “The Who Sell Out” is considered one of the classic albums of the genre. The band’s signature tune, “My Generation,” became an anthem for the counterculture, and their live performances were legendary for their explosive energy. The Who continued to be a major force in rock music through the 70s and 80s, and they remain one of the most influential rock bands of all time.