The Top 5 Old School Psychedelic Rock Bands
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It’s no secret that the 60s and 70s were a time of great change. One need only look at the music of the time to see how different things were. Psychedelic rock is a perfect example of this. Though it’s been decades since these bands were making music, their influence can still be felt today. Here, then, are the top 5 old school psychedelic rock bands.
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed band in the history of popular music. They were integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and popular music’s recognition as an art form.
The early years
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band in history. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical elements in innovative ways. In 1963, their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania”; as the group’s music grew in sophistication, led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, they came to be perceived as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the counterculture of the 1960s.
The psychedelic years
The psychedelic years were a time when LSD was used by many people in the music industry, which led to the development of psychedelic rock. Psychedelic rock is a genre of music that is inspired by psychedelic culture and often incorporates mind-altering drugs. The Beatles were at the forefront of this movement, and their work has had a lasting impact on popular music. Here are the top 5 old school psychedelic rock bands, according to Rolling Stone magazine.
1) The Beatles: The Beatles are arguably the most important and influential band in the history of popular music. They pioneered the use of LSD in the music industry and their work was instrumental in the development of psychedelic rock.
2) The Grateful Dead: The Grateful Dead are an American rock band that formed in 1965. They were known for their long improvisational jams and their unique blend of genres, which included elements of psychedelia, country, folk, jazz, and blues.
3) Pink Floyd: Pink Floyd is an English rock band that was founded in 1965. They are known for their innovative and genre-defying music, which often incorporated elements of psychedelia.
4) Jimi Hendrix: Jimi Hendrix was an American musician who is considered to be one of the greatest guitarists in history. He pioneered the use of feedback and distortion in his playing, and his work was instrumental in the development of psychedelic rock.
5) The Doors: The Doors were an American rock band that formed in 1965. They were known for their dark and ominous lyrics, which often dealt with topics such as death and drug use. Their music was strongly influenced by psychedelia.
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), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). Stewart was removed from the official line-up in 1963 but continued as a touring member until his death in 1985. Jones died less than a month after Wyman, from a drug overdose.
The early years
The Rolling Stones were formed in London in 1962, and they first gained notoriety in the UK with their cover of Chuck Berry’s “Come On.” The band’s original lineup consisted of Mick Jagger (vocals), Keith Richards (guitar), Brian Jones (guitar), Ian Stewart (piano), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). The Stones’ early style was a blend of blues and rock ‘n’ roll, and they quickly became one of the most popular live bands in Britain.
In 1964, the band released their debut album, “The Rolling Stones,” which included the hits “Not Fade Away” and “Tell Me.” The album was a success, reaching number one on the UK charts. The band’s follow-up album, “Out of Our Heads,” was released in 1965 and included the hits “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Get Off My Cloud.” The Stones continued to release successful albums throughout the 1960s, including “Aftermath” (1966), “Beggars Banquet” (1968) and “Let it Bleed” (1969).
In the late 1960s, the Stones began to experiment with psychedelic rock on albums like “Their Satanic Majesties Request” (1967) and “Beggars Banquet” (1968). These experimental releases were not well received at the time, but they are now considered important documents of the psychedelic era. The Stones returned to their roots with the release of “Exile on Main St.” (1972), an acclaimed album that is now considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
The psychedelic years
The psychedelic years were a tumultuous time for rock music. Psychedelic rock emerged in the mid-1960s and quickly became the dominant form of rock until the early 1970s. The sound was characterized by distorted guitars, mind-bending lyrics, and extended improvisation.
The psychedelic years were a tumultuous time for rock music. Psychedelic rock emerged in the mid-1960s and quickly became the dominant form of rock until the early 1970s. The sound was characterized by distorted guitars, mind-bending lyrics, and extended improvisation.
Psychedelic rock bands sought to replicate the mind-altering experiences of drugs like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms. They often used colorful stage costumes, light shows, and other special effects to create an immersive experience for their fans.
The Rolling Stones are one of the most iconic old school psychedelic rock bands. Formed in 1962, the band rose to prominence in the UK with their debut album “The Rolling Stones” in 1964. The album featured hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Paint It Black” which cemented their place as one of the biggest bands in the world.
The Stones continued to produce hits throughout the 1960s and 1970s with albums like “Exile on Main Street” and “Some Girls”. They are still active today and continue to tour around the world to sold-out crowds.
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. The band took its name from the title of Aldous Huxley’s book The Doors of Perception (1954), which itself was a reference to a line from William Blake’s 1793 poem The Marriage of Heaven and Hell: “If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is: infinite.” They were unique and among the most controversial and influential rock acts of the 1960s, mostly because of Morrison’s lyrics and his erratic stage persona. After Morrison’s death in 1971, the remaining members continued as a trio until finally disbanding in 1973.
The early years
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 unique and among the most controversial and influential rock acts of the 1960s, mostly because of Morrison’s lyrics and charismatic but unpredictable stage persona. After Morrison’s sudden death in 1971 at age 27, the remaining members continued as a trio until finally disbanding in 1973.
Although the Doors’ active career ended in 1973, their popularity has persisted. The Doors were the 17th-best-selling band in the United States by album sales alone according to RIAA platinum certification, with over 32 million copies sold overall. Morrison was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Doors in 1993, at which time Krieger and Densmore reformed to perform “Light My Fire” with Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith. Since the death of Manzarek in 2013, Densmore has refused to play with any musician other than him on any project honoring The Doors’ legacy, including a finale performance for BBC’sLater… with Jools Holland on September 28th, 2013.
The psychedelic years
For a brief period in the late 1960s, Psychedelic Rock reigned supreme. This was the era when mind-bending drugs, social unrest, and experimental music combined to create some of the most iconic and influential rock albums of all time.
The Doors were one of the most successful bands of this era, thanks to their charismatic frontman Jim Morrison and their ability to channel the zeitgeist of the times into their music. Other notable Psychedelic Rock bands from this era include The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones.
Pink Floyd
Often cited as one of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time, Pink Floyd was founded in 1965 by Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright. The band achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. Their 1973 album, “The Dark Side of the Moon,” remained on the Billboard charts for 741 weeks from 1973 to 1988, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.
The early years
Pink Floyd was formed in 1965 by Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Rick Wright. The band’s debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, was released in 1967 and featured Barrett’s distinctive songwriting and guitar playing. Barrett began to experience mental health problems around this time, and Pink Floyd struggled to cope with his increasingly erratic behaviour. He left the band in 1968, shortly before the release of their second album, A Saucerful of Secrets.
Barrett was replaced by guitarist and singer David Gilmour, and Pink Floyd went on to become one of the most successful and acclaimed rock bands of all time. They released a string of classic albums including The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975) and Animals (1977), as well as the highly experimental The Wall (1979). Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985, but the band continued to tour and record without him.
Pink Floyd are one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, and their influence can still be felt today. If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock, or simply want to explore the origins of one of the most important rock bands of all time, then Pink Floyd are essential listening.
The psychedelic years
The psychedelic years were a time when music, fashion, art and film all had an edge of wildness and experimentation. Psychedelic bands like Pink Floyd, The Doors, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones pushed the boundaries of what was possible both in terms of music and in terms of drug use.
Psychedelia is often thought of as a product of the late 1960s, but the truth is that it was a movement that began in the early 1960s and continued into the 1970s. Many of the bands that are associated with psychedelia actually started out as folk or blues bands. It was only later that they began to experiment with drugs and explore more experimental soundscapes.
If you’re looking for some old school psychedelic rock to take you back to a simpler time, then Pink Floyd is the band for you. Pink Floyd was one of the most successful and influential psychedelic bands of all time. They were known for their extended jams, their innovative use of sound effects and their trippy light shows.
The Doors were another hugely popular psychedelic band. They were known for their wild live shows and their darkly poetic lyrics. Jim Morrison, the band’s lead singer, was one of the most charismatic and enigmatic frontmen in rock history.
The Beatles are probably the most famous psychedelic band of all time. They experimented with drugs, meditation and eastern mysticism during their time together, and their music reflected these influences. Even today, songs like “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” and “Tomorrow Never Knows” sound fresh and innovative.
The Rolling Stones were always more interested in country blues than psychedelia, but they dabbled in acid during their 1969 US tour. They also released the classic album “Beggars Banquet” during this period, which is considered by many to be one of their best albums ever.
The Grateful Dead
This American rock band was formed in the 1960s and is credited as being one of the pioneers of the psychedelic rock genre. The Grateful Dead’s music was Influenced by a variety of genres, including country, folk, bluegrass, and rhythm and blues. The band was known for their live performances, which often featured extended improvisations.
The early years
The Grateful Dead was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1965 by Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, and Bill Kreutzmann. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which blended elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, country, and jazz. They also became renowned for their live performances, which often featured extended improvisation. The Dead’s music has been a major influence on the jam band and psychedelic rock genres.
The band rose to prominence during the counterculture era of the 1960s and ’70s. Their 1967 debut album, The Grateful Dead, was a critical and commercial success. It reached number 13 on the Billboard 200 chart and spawned two top 40 singles: “The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)” and ” Uncle John’s Band”. Their next album, 1969’s Aoxomoxoa , also achieved commercial success; it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and reached number 37 on the Billboard 200 chart.
During this period, the band also played a series of free concerts called the Acid Tests . These began in early 1965 in an old Oakland firehouse and were hosted by Ken Kesey , an American author who had become famous for his own experimentation with LSD . The Acid Tests involved psychedelic light shows , film projection s , dancing ,and mime s; as well as unusual musical instruments such as djembe s and sitar s.
The psychedelic years
The Grateful Dead rose to prominence in the psychedelic music scene of the mid-1960s, alongside other bands such as the Jefferson Airplane and the Byrds. They developed their own unique style of improvised rock music, which combined elements of folk, blues, country, jazz, and improvisational jamming. The Dead’s live performances were legendary, and their fans (known as “Deadheads”) would follow them from show to show. The band’s massive popularity led them to play at some of the most iconic venues in rock history, such as the Fillmore West and Carnegie Hall.
