I Wish Psychedelic Rock Was Still Popular
Contents
I look back at the brief moment in music history when psychedelic rock was popular and wish it was still around today.
Psychedelic Rock History
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as acid rock, is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s. Psychedelic rock is characterized by distorted guitars, feedback, and extreme volumes, as well as by the use of electronic effects such as echo, reverb, and wah-wah. The genre is often associated with mind-altering substances, such as LSD, and is therefore also known as “acid rock”.
Origins in the 1950s
The first musical influences that would later be collectively called “psychedelic” were heard in the 1950s. These included the use of unorthodox instrumentation such as electric guitars played through feedback and distorted amplifiers, originally developed by guitarists such as Link Wray; extended solos such as those by jazz saxophonist John Coltrane and Chicago blues guitarist Muddy Waters; novel sound effects created with electronic studio techniques such as reverb, delay, tape loops, and sitars; and lyrical themes about mind alteration, hallucination, drug use, and Eastern philosophy. country artists like Marty Robbins and Roger Miller also began experimenting with these new sounds.
The British Invasion
Psychedelic rock, sometimes called acid rock, reached its peak of popularity in the mid- to late 1960s with artists such as the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Rolling Stones leading the way. The Beatles in particular experimented with LSD and other drugs, and their album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is considered a landmark of the genre. Psychedelic rock declined in popularity in the early 1970s as punk rock and disco began to take over the charts, but it has since experienced a revival in popularity.
The Summer of Love
The Summer of Love was a social phenomenon that occurred during the summer of 1967, when as many as 100,000 people converged in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. The hippie subculture that had been growing in strength throughout the US and Europe since the early 1960s finally came into its own during this brief but intense period of social upheaval and creativity.
The Summer of Love began as a series of “Be-Ins” held in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, which served to publicize the hippie lifestyle and political philosophies. The most famous of these was the Human Be-In, which took place on January 14, 1967 and featured such luminaries as LSD advocate Timothy Leary, Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, and musicians Jefferson Airplane and Country Joe McDonald.
By the time summer rolled around, an exodus from cities like New York and London had begun, as young people made their way to San Francisco in search of an alternative to mainstream culture. This mass migration only added to the sense of urgency and possibility that characterized the Summer of Love. For a few months, it seemed as though anything was possible, and that love really could conquer all.
Unfortunately, the idyllic mood was not destined to last. The influx of so many people into such a small area quickly overwhelmed the infrastructure of the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, leading to increases in crime and drug use. The media began to take notice of the “hippie problem,” painting a distorted picture of life in the Haight that only served to further alienate mainstream society.
By 1968, the bloom was off the rose, and many hippies had moved on to other projects or returned to more conventional lives. The Summer of Love might have ended, but its spirit lives on in music, fashion, art, and popular culture.
Psychedelic Rock Today
Psychedelic rock is a unique genre of music that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The genre is characterized by its use of feedback, distorted guitars, and extremevolume. Psychedelic rock was a response to the perceived excesses of the early 1960s, and its popularity waned as the decade came to a close. Today, the genre is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, with new bands forming and tour dates selling out.
The Revival
In recent years, there has been a revival of sorts for psychedelic rock. While the genre never truly went away, it certainly fell out of favor with the mainstream in the intervening years. But now, more and more bands are mining the same sonic territory as their predecessors, creating new music that would not sound out of place alongside classics from the 60s and 70s.
While some purists may decry this new wave of bands as pale imitations of the originals, there is no denying that they are keeping the spirit of psychedelic rock alive and well. And who knows? Maybe one day soon these newer bands will enjoy the same level of popularity as their forebears. Until then, we can all enjoy the fact that this wonderful style of music is still being made today.
The New Psychedelia
Psychedelic rock, or “psychedelia,” is a wide-ranging style of rock music that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The style is characterized by distorted guitars, mind-expanding lyrics, and trippy sound effects.
Though the original wave of psychedelic rock has faded from the mainstream, there is a growing movement of “psych bands” keeping the spirit of the genre alive. These new bands often blend psychedelic elements with other styles, such as garage rock, indie rock, and electronic music.
If you’re looking to explore psychedelia in the 21st century, here are a few psych bands worth checking out:
The Brian Jonestown Massacre: This San Francisco-based band is often credited with starting the neo-psychedelia movement in the 1990s. The Brian Jonestown Massacre combines jangly 60s pop with distortion-heavy psych rock.
Tame Impala: Tame Impala is an Australian band that makes expansive, hypnotic psych-pop. The band’s sound has been described as a “cosmic melting pot” of vintage synths, reverb-drenched guitars, and propulsive rhythms.
Thee Oh Sees: Thee Oh Sees play a brand of garage rock that is steeped in psychedelia. The band’s music is characterized by energetic drumming, fuzzed-out guitars, and warped melodies.
Why I Wish Psychedelic Rock Was Still Popular
Psychedelic rock was a unique and interesting genre of music that emerged in the 1960s. It was characterized by its use of distorted guitars, extended solos, and complex song structures. Psychedelic rock was a reaction to the mainstream music of the time and was often used as a way to explore social and political issues. Unfortunately, the popularity of psychedelic rock faded in the 1970s.
The Music
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as acid rock, is a type of music that became popular in the 1960s. The genre is characterized by heavy use of guitars and drums, as well as psychedelic elements such as trippy sound effects, echoed vocals, and lengthy jams. Despite its popularity at the time, psychedelic rock is no longer as mainstream as it once was. Here are three reasons why I think it deserves to make a comeback.
First and foremost, psychedelic rock is just really fun to listen to. The combination of driving guitars and lively drums creates an exciting and energetic sound that’s impossible not to enjoy. It’s the perfect music to put on when you want to get pumped up and have a good time.
Second, psychedelic rock often contains complex instrumentation and interesting time signatures that make it more challenging and rewarding to listen to than more mainstream genres. It’s the perfect music for those who appreciate a little more depth and variety in their listening experience.
Finally, psychedelic rock has a certain charm and nostalgia factor that can’t be found in other genres. For many people myself included, hearing this type of music takes them back to a simpler time when life was less complicated and they didn’t have as much responsibility. There’s something truly special about that feeling, and it’s something that I think we could all use a little more of in our lives.
The Culture
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psyrock, is a diverse style of rock music that originated in the mid-1960s. Psychedelic rock is characterized by distorted guitars, mind-altering lyrics, and a trippy atmosphere. The genre is often associated with the counterculture of the 1960s and early 1970s.
Psychedelic rock was popularized by bands such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and The Doors. The genre reached its peak in the late 1960s with the release of classic albums such as The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Doors’ Strange Days. Psychedelic rock began to decline in popularity in the early 1970s, but it has continued to influence mainstream music.
I wish psychedelic rock was still popular because I think it’s a genuinely interesting and unique genre of music. I love the history behind it and how it’s still influencing music today. It’s also just really fun to listen to!
The Lifestyle
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psychedelia, is a diverse style of rock music that originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its musical style is characterized by heavy use of extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and often sonic experimentation. The term “psychedelic” refers to the subjective effects of psychedelic drugs, commonly known as “hallucinogens”, which are thought to alter perception, thinking, and emotion. Psychedelic rock often incorporates aspects of other genres such as acid rock, prog rock, and jazz fusion.
Psychedelic rock reached its pinnacle of popularity in the late 1960s with bands such as The Beatles, The Doors, Pink Floyd, and The Grateful Dead. At this time, a countercultural movement was also underway in the United States which came to be known as the “hippie” movement. This cultural phenomenon was closely linked with the rise of psychedelic rock music. Many young people who were drawn to the hippie lifestyle were also attracted to the music of this new genre.
In the 1970s, psychedlic rock began to fall out of favor with the general public. This was due in part to changing attitudes towards drug use and also because many of the original pioneers of psychedelia had disbanded or stopped making new music. As a result, psychedelic rock became something of a niche genre that was mostly confined to underground scenes.
Despite its decline in popularity, psychedelic rock has maintained a dedicated following throughout the years. There are still many active bands performing and creating new music within this genre. In recent years there has even been a resurgence of interest in psychedelic rock among younger generations. While it may never achieve the level of popularity it once enjoyed, psychedelic rock remains an important part of musical history.
