A Comprehensive Guide to Psychedelic Rock

A Comprehensive Guide to Psychedelic Rock will explore the history, diversity and global reach of this genre of music.

What is Psychedelic Rock?

Psychedelic rock is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the late 1960s. The style is characterized by a preoccupation with altered states of consciousness, innovative production techniques, and the use of new electronic instruments. Let’s take a more in-depth look at psychedelic rock.

The Origins of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as Acid Rock, Psychedelia, and Garage Rock, is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s and became widely popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The genre is generally characterized by heavily distorted guitars, trippy lyrics, drug-inspired themes, and mind-altering visual effects. Psychedelic rock began to blow up in popularity during the so-called Summer of Love in 1967, when counterculture icons like The Grateful Dead and The Jimi Hendrix Experience began performing at massive outdoor music festivals. From there, the genre gained mainstream traction with hits like The Doors’ “Light My Fire” and The Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”

The Sound of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock is a subgenre of rock music that emerged during the mid-1960s. The sound of psychedelic rock is often characterized by heavy use of guitars, distorted sounds, extensive effects and unusual studio techniques, as well as frequently incorporated elements from other genres such as Indian music and electronic music. Psychedelic rock often makes use of improvisation and expanded instrumentation, and is rooted in the musical style of American garage rock, acid rock and British Invasion bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

The genre began to reach its commercial peak in the late 1960s with the release of several influential albums such as The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s Are You Experienced (1967) and The Doors’ self-titled debut album (1967). Psychedelic rock reached its apex in the early 1970s with the release of classic albums such as Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy (1973) and David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972).

Although psychedelic rock enjoyed a brief period of mainstream popularity in the 1970s, the genre largely fell out of favor with audiences in subsequent decades. Nevertheless, psychedelic rock has exerted a significant influence on subsequent generations of musicians, and continues to be an important source of inspiration for artists working in a wide range of genres including punk rock, new wave, indie rock, gothic rock, glam rock, shoegaze, post-punk, stoner rock, neoprogressive rock and alternative metal.

The Psychedelic Rock Revolution

Psychedelic rock, also known as acid rock, was a musical movement that emerged in the mid-1960s. The style is characterized by electric guitars, amplified sound, and mind-expanding lyrical content. The genre is often associated with the use of mind-altering drugs such as LSD.

The British Invasion

In the 1960s, a musical revolution took place that would change the course of popular music forever. Psychedelic rock, a genre that melded together disparate influences like garage rock, blues, and Eastern music, burst onto the scene and quickly became one of the most popular genres in the world. Artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix became household names, and their music continues to influence popular culture to this day.

The British Invasion was a major factor in the spread of psychedelic rock around the world. In 1964, The Beatles released their album `A Hard Day’s Night`, which featured the song `I Want To Hold Your Hand`. The song became an instant smash hit in both the United Kingdom and the United States, and it ushered in a new era of British bands gaining popularity in America. This trend continued throughout the 1960s, as groups like The Rolling Stones, The Animals, and Herman’s Hermits found success on both sides of the Atlantic.

The British Invasion had a profound effect on American music. Prior to this point, most popular music in America had been influenced by African-American artists like Chuck Berry and James Brown. However, with the rise of British bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, white American teenagers began to embrace black music as their own. This cross-pollination of styles would eventually lead to the development of psychedelic rock.

The Summer of Love

1967 was a historic year for music, and particularly for rock & roll. It was the year that saw the release of two of the most influential albums in rock history – The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Beach Boys’ Smile. These two albums, along with others released that year such as The Doors’ self-titled debut album and Pink Floyd’s Piper at the Gates of Dawn, signaled a new era in rock music where bands were no longer afraid to experiment with new sounds and ideas.

One of the most important aspects of this new era was the influence of psychedelic drugs on the music. Psychedelic drugs such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms were becoming increasingly popular among young people in the mid-1960s, and their use was reflected in the music of the time. Psychedelic rock is a genre of rock music that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s whose sound is characterized by distorted guitars, trippy lyrics, and a general feeling of euphoria.

The Summer of Love was a cultural phenomenon that occurred during the summer of 1967, when over 100,000 young people converged on San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district to celebrate peace, love, and drugs. This mass migration led to an increase in drug use and an explosion of creativity in all forms of art, including music. Bands such as The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and The Byrds became synonymous with the hippie movement, and their music continues to be popular to this day.

If you’re interested in exploring psychedelic rock further, we’ve put together a list of our favorite psychedelic rock albums below. These are essential listens for any fan of the genre.

The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
Pink Floyd – Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)
The Rolling Stones – Their Satanic Majesties Request (1967)
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced? (1967)
The Doors – The Doors (1967)

Psychedelic Rock Today

Psychedelic rock music has come a long way since its inception in the 1960s. Artists like Jimi Hendrix, Grateful Dead, and Jefferson Airplane paved the way for a new era of music that was defined by mind-altering substances and a counterculture lifestyle. These days, the genre has evolved to encompass a wide range of styles, from the hazy and dreamy sounds of bands like Slowdive to the more abrasive and experimental sounds of groups like Pond.

Despite these stylistic differences, all psychedelic rock music shares a few common elements. Most notably, psychedelic rock is characterized by its use of extended guitar solos and feedback, drug-related lyrics, and an overall trippy atmosphere. If you’re looking to get into psychedelic rock, there are a few key albums you should check out. To start, we recommend 1967’s Piper at the Gates of Dawn by Pink Floyd and 1968’s Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix.

The Top Psychedelic Rock Bands

Psychedelic rock, also known as psychedelia, is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. Psychedelic rock often uses new recording techniques and effects and draws on non-Western sources such as the sitar and tabla.

The Beatles

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as “psychedelia,” is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is characterized by the use of electronic and feedback-based instruments, as well as by the incorporation of elements from other genres, including folk, jazz, and blues. Psychedelic rock often makes use of extended improvisation and emphasises sonic experimentation.

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group’s primary songwriters were John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who wrote most of their songs together. Members included George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The Beatles are widely regarded as the foremost and most influential act of the Rock era.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are one of the most legendary and influential rock bands of all time. They were at the forefront of the British Invasion of the 1960s, and their music has been hugely influential in shaping the sound of rock and roll ever since. The Stones are also known for their pioneering use of psychedelic drugs, which played a major role in their music during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The Doors

The Doors were one of the most controversial and influential American rock bands of the 1960s. They were unique and ahead of their time, fusing elements of blues, jazz, classical music, and Eastern philosophy into their psychedelic sound. The band members were also known for their wild and often unpredictable behavior, both on and offstage.

The Doors’ first album, released in 1967, was a massive success and contained their signature song “Light My Fire.” The follow-up album, Strange Days (1967), was also a hit, featuring the hits “People Are Strange” and “When the Music’s Over.”

Unfortunately, the band’s frontman Jim Morrison died in 1971 at the age of 27. The Doors released one more album after his death, Other Voices (1971), before officially disbanding. The surviving members later reunited in 2000 for a reunion tour.

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd was an English rock band formed in London in 1965. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. Distinguished by their use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, and elaborate live shows, they are one of the most commercially successful and influential groups in popular music history. Pink Floyd were inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. By 2013, they had sold more than 250 million records worldwide.

The Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band is known for its eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, and modal jazz. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century. The Grateful Dead has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide.

Psychedelic Rock Resources

Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s and was popularized in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The style is characterized by a distorted, psychedelic sound and is often associated with the psychedelic culture of the time. Psychedelic rock often contains elements of other genres, such as acid rock, folk rock, and garage rock.

Books

If you want to learn more about psychedelic rock, there are a few great books that can get you started. Below are some of our favorites:

-Psychedelic Rock: A Global View by Jauregui (2007): This book provides an excellent overview of the history and development of psychedelic rock around the world. It’s a great starting point for anyone looking to learn more about the genre.
-The Encyclopedia of Classic Rock by Blush (2013): This comprehensive encyclopedia is a great resource for information on all things classic rock, including psychedelia. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the genre.
-The Psychedelic Experience: A Comprehensive Guide to the History, Science, and Culture of Psychedelic Drugs by Noss (2018): This book is an in-depth look at the history and science of psychedelic drugs. It’s a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the topic.

Movies

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Movies

There are a number of great documentaries and feature films that explore the history and evolution of psychedelic rock. Here are just a few:

-The trip to excellent (2007) documentary about the history of psychedelic rock, featuring interviews with many of the key players in the genre.
-Electric Ladyland: The Jimi Hendrix Experience (2003) an in-depth look at one of the most influential and controversial figures in rock music.
-Gimme Shelter (1970) a classic Rolling Stones concert film that captures the energy and intensity of their live performances.
-The Doors: When You’re Strange (2010) a documentary about one of the most influential and enigmatic bands of the psychedelic era.

Websites

In addition to the websites below, don’t forget to check out our Psychedelic Rock 101 page for recommended listening and general information about the genre.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-psychedelic-songs-w466931
https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9914-the-200-greatest-psychedelic-albums/
https://www.nme.com/photos/the-50-greatest-psychedelic-albums-of-all-time-1345035
http://psych rock around the world