The First Psychedelic Rock Bands You Should Know

Psychedelic rock emerged in the mid-’60s as a countercultural movement. Here are some of the first bands you should know who pioneered the genre.

The Beatles

The Beatles are often credited as the first psychedelic rock band. They used elements of the psychedelic sound in their music, but they also combined it with other genres, such as pop and folk. The result was a unique sound that influenced many other bands.

The Beatles’ psychedelic sound

The Beatles’ psychedelic sound was the product of a perfect storm of talent, timing, and technology. The Fab Four were without peer as songwriters, instrumentalists, and performers, and their studios were filled with the latest in cutting-edge recording equipment. And while the band had been expanding the possibilities of pop music since their 1963 debut, it was 1967’s “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” that took them – and the rest of the world – on a magical mystery tour into uncharted territory.

The psychedelic era is often thought of as a time of lowered inhibitions and free love, but for The Beatles, it was also a time of creative experimentation. Under the influence of mind-expanding drugs like LSD, the band began to explore new sonic territory, pushing the boundaries of what could be accomplished in the studio. The result was a string of innovative recordings that would come to define not only The Beatles’ sound, but the entire genre of psychedelic rock.

If you’re looking to get your feet wet in the world of psychedelic rock, there’s no better place to start than with The Beatles. Here are four essential tracks from their psychedelic period that every fan should know.

“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”
One of The Beatles’ most beloved tracks, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is also one of their most overtly psychedelic. Inspired by an acid trip taken by John Lennon (though he claimed the song was actually about his young son), this dreamlike ode to an imaginary friend is filled with imagery that seems designed to provoke an altered state of consciousness. From the “tangerine trees and marmalade skies” to the “girl with kaleidoscope eyes,” every detail in this song feels like an invitation to take a journey into another realm.

“Tomorrow Never Knows”
The final track on 1966’s “Revolver,” “Tomorrow Never Knows” is perhaps The Beatles’ most experimental release from their early years. Built around a looped tape recording of Ringo Starr’s drumming, the song features elements of trance music and features some truly trippy lyrics from John Lennon (“tunnels lit by fluorescent light / endless tunnels through which I’m moving”). Whether you interpret it as an ode to spiritual enlightenment or simply a drug-induced trip down the rabbit hole, there’s no denying that this is one song that will take you places you’ve never been before.

“Rain”
Released as a double A-side single with “Paperback Writer,” “Rain” is one of The Beatles’ more underrated tracks from their later years. Though it may not be as well-known as some of their other hits from this period, “Rain” is nonetheless a masterclass in studio experimentation, featuring backwards vocals, heavily processed guitars, and George Harrison’s use of sitar – an instrument traditionally associated with Indian classical music. With its hypnotic groove and mind-bending soundscapes, this track is sure to leave you reeling long after it’s over.

“I Am the Walrus”
One of The Beatles’ strangest and most enigmatic songs, “I Am the Walrus” feels like something straight out of a Lewis Carroll storybook – albeit one that’s been filtered through a hallucinogenic haze. Filled with references to Alice in Wonderland and King Lear (not to mention a few lines lifted directly from Shakespeare), this track is as bizarre as it is brilliant, marrying catchy pop hooks with avant-garde experimentalism in a way that only The Beatles could pull off.

The Beatles’ psychedelic look

The Beatles’ iconic psychedelic look was the perfect complement to their groundbreaking sound. The band’s use of colorful clothing, stage props, and artworks helped to create a unique visual style that has come to be associated with the psychedelic era.

The Beatles’ fashion choices were often inspired by the clothing styles of the counterculture movements they encountered during their travels in India and the United States. In particular, the band members were drawn to the bright colors and patterns of traditional Indian clothing. They also took cues from the psychedelic art scene in San Francisco, which was characterized by bold and often trippy visual displays.

The Beatles’ psychedelic style helped to popularize a new way of dressing that was associated with the emerging youth culture of the 1960s. While the band’s fashion choices were often ridiculed by their detractors, they ultimately had a major impact on mainstream fashion trends. Thanks to The Beatles, colorful and experimental clothing styles became more acceptable in mainstream society.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are a Psychedelic Rock band that was formed in London in 1962. The band members were Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman. The band’s first album, “The Rolling Stones,” was released in 1964. The band’s first hit single was “Satisfaction,” which was released in 1965.

The Rolling Stones’ psychedelic sound

The Rolling Stones were one of the first psychedelic rock bands and their sound was influential in the development of the genre. They experimented with different styles of music and incorporated elements of blues, jazz, country, and pop into their sound. The Stones’ psychedelic sound can be heard on their albums “Their Satanic Majesties Request” and “Beggars Banquet.”

The Rolling Stones’ psychedelic look

The Rolling Stones were one of the first psychedelic rock bands. They began experimenting with drugs in the mid-1960s and their appeal to a young audience was enhanced by their “bad boy” image. The band’s wild onstage antics and outrageous fashion sense, which included wearing clothes decorated with pills, feathers, and psychedelic patterns, mirrored the drug-induced state of mind of their fans. The Stones’ music also reflected the changing times; their hit song “Paint It Black” was inspired by the Vietnam War, and their album Their Satanic Majesties Request was a nod to the psychedelic culture of the late 1960s.

The Doors

Psychedelic rock music emerged in the mid-1960s and was marked by its use of Eastern-inspired instrumentation, feedback, and distorted guitars. The genre was largely influenced by The Doors, a Los Angeles-based band that was one of the first psychedelic rock bands. The Doors were led by singer Jim Morrison, who was known for his dark and suggestive lyrics. The band’s sound was a mix of blues rock and garage rock, with elements of jazz and classical music.

The Doors’ psychedelic sound

psychedelic sound of The Doors was partly the result of the vision of Jim Morrison, who wanted the band to create “long, lyrical, sometimes Funny” music that would evoke the frontier spirit and space travel while also being heavily influenced by blues music. To this end, he recruited Ray Manzarek as the band’s keyboardist, a move which helped to define their sound. Together with drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger, they wrote some of rock’s most iconic tunes, including “Light My Fire”, “Break on Through (To the Other Side)”, “The End”, and “L.A. Woman”.

Although The Doors only released six studio albums during their brief time as a band, they left an indelible mark on rock music and popular culture. They were one of the first American bands to infuse elements of psychedelia into their sound, paving the way for many other artists in the years to come.

The Doors’ psychedelic look

The Doors were one of the first psychedelic rock bands, and they were also one of the most popular and influential groups of the 1960s. The band was formed in 1965 by singer/songwriter Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. The band was known for its unique sound, which combined elements of rock, blues, jazz, and classical music. The Doors’ biggest hits included “Light My Fire,” “Break On Through (To the Other Side),” and “Riders on the Storm.” The band’s self-titled debut album was released in 1967 and reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart. The Doors’ final studio album, “L.A. Woman,” was released in 1971. Morrison died that same year at the age of 27.

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd was an English rock band formed in London in 1965. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially successful and influential groups in popular music history. The band, led by founder Syd Barrett, recorded five singles and a debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, before Barrett’s deteriorating mental health forced him to leave the band in 1968.

Pink Floyd’s psychedelic sound

Pink Floyd’s sound was heavily influenced by psychedelic rock, and their live performances often included light shows and immersive visual effects. The band’s use of powerful sound effects and extended guitar solos helped them to create an immersive experience for their audiences. Pink Floyd were one of the first psychedelic rock bands to gain popularity, and their unique sound helped to define the genre.

Pink Floyd’s psychedelic look

Pink Floyd’s psychedelic look was the brainchild of band member Syd Barrett. He wanted the band to look like they were “from another planet”, and so he came up with the idea of using day-glo colors and strange costumes. The other members of the band were initially skeptical, but they soon came around to Barrett’s way of thinking.

The band’s psychedelic style was as much about their music as it was about their appearance. They were one of the first rock bands to use extensive sound effects and unconventional instruments in their recordings, and their live shows were full of multimedia visuals. Pink Floyd’s commitment to creating an immersive and mind-bending experience for their fans helped to pioneer the concept of “psychedelic rock”.