The 5 Best Old Psychedelic Rock Bands
The 5 Best Old Psychedelic Rock Bands You’ve Never Heard Of
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. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical elements in innovative ways during the development of their sound. They also pioneered recording techniques and explored music styles that influenced subsequent rock music.
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London, England, in 1962. The first stable line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). Wynonie Harris, Rudy Vallée and Cousin Joe were among the guests on their live album Steel Wheels Live.
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 Jones left the band less than a month before his death in 1969, having already been replaced by Mick Taylor, who remained until 1974.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’s departure, Ronnie Wood has been The Rolling Stones’ guitarist.
The Rolling Stones were at the forefront of the British Invasion of bands that became popular in the US in 1964 and were identified with the youthful and rebellious counterculture of the 1960s. They were instrumental in making blues a major part of rock and roll and are cited as an influence by hard rock bands such as Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004. Rolling Stone magazine ranked them fourth on their “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” list and their estimated album sales are above 250 million.
The Doors
The Doors were one of the most successful and influential American rock bands of the 1960s. They were formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, by singer and songwriter Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. The band’s debut album, The Doors (1967), became one of the top-selling debuts of all time and included the hit singles “Light My Fire” and “Break On Through (To the Other Side)”.
The Doors had a profound impact on popular culture and were one of the most controversial rock bands of their time. Their unusual mix of blues, jazz, classical music, and Morrison’s poetic lyrics created a unique sound that was both ahead of its time and influential to many later artists. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd is one of the most iconic and influential psychedelic rock bands of all time. Formed in 1965, the band rose to fame with their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Pink Floyd is known for their expansive and innovative music, as well as their elaborate stage shows and light projection displays. The band has sold over 200 million records worldwide and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin’s stadium-shaking sound andsuperstar status made them the definitive rock band of the 1970s. Formed in 1968, the group consisted of singer Robert Plant, keyboardist John Paul Jones, guitarist Jimmy Page, and drummer John Bonham. They released their self-titled debut album in early 1969, which soared to the top of the charts on the strength of its hit single “Whole Lotta Love.” Led Zeppelin went on to release seven more studio albums that achieved massive commercial and critical success, including classics like Led Zeppelin IV (1971) and Physical Graffiti (1975). With hits like “Stairway to Heaven,” “Kashmir,” and “All My Love,” Led Zeppelin created some of the most enduring rock anthems of all time. The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
