The 5 Most Popular Psychedelic Rock Artists

The 5 most popular psychedelic rock artists according to Google are The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Doors, The Grateful Dead, and Jimi Hendrix.

Jimi Hendrix

Few artists are as closely associated with the psychedelic rock genre as Jimi Hendrix. A pioneer of the electric guitar, Hendrix’s innovative style of playing helped to redefine what was possible on the instrument, and his use of feedback and distortion shaped the sound of rock music for years to come. Along with his band The Jimi Hendrix Experience, he released a string of classic albums including Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland, which remain among the most influential records of all time.

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 bands of all time. The group have sold over 200 million records worldwide, including 74.5 million certified units in the United States.

In 1985, they released their eleventh studio album, A Momentary Lapse of Reason. The album marked a return to Pink Floyd’s roots in psychedelic and space rock, and was a critical and commercial success. It reached number 3 on the US Billboard 200 and became the band’s first album to top the UK charts in 20 years.

In 1994, Pink Floyd returned with their twelfth studio album, The Division Bell. The album debuted at number 1 in both the UK and the US, making it their second consecutive album to top both charts. It was also their most commercially successful album, selling over 12 million copies worldwide.

Since Pink Floyd’s disbandment in 1995, there have been numerous reunion attempts by different members of the band. In 2005, they released their final studio album, Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd. The album charted at number 2 in both the UK and the US and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. Ranging from quintet to septet, the band is known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, and psychedelic rock; for live performances of lengthy instrumental jams; and for their devoted fan base, known as “Deadheads.” “Their music,” writes Lenny Kaye, “was Middle-American dream music—a hazy representation of national aspirations that somehow resonated with millions of people who might never have heard of the band.” They were ranked 57th in Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. They have sold more than 35 million albums worldwide.

The Doors

The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most controversial rock acts of the 1960s due to Morrison’s wild, poetic lyrics and charismatic but unpredictable stage persona. After Morrison’s death in 1971 at the age of 27, the remaining members continued as a trio until disbanding in 1973.

Although they were not commercially successful until 1967 with their breakthrough album Strange Days, the Doors had a regional hit with their 1965 single “Light My Fire” which topped the American charts for three weeks in July and reached number one on the Cashbox chart as well. The song was written by Krieger and sung by Morrison. It became one of their signature songs and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin was a British rock band formed in 1968, consisting of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. The band’s heavy, guitar-driven sound has led them to be cited as one of the progenitors of heavy metal. Their style drew from a wide variety of influences, including blues, psychedelia, and folk music.

The band’s debut album, Led Zeppelin (1969), was a commercial success, with critics praising their blues-influenced style. Their second album, Led Zeppelin II (1969), was even more successful, featuring their signature song “Whole Lotta Love”. Led Zeppelin III (1970) saw the band experiment with folk and acoustic music. Led Zeppelin IV (1971) featured the song “Stairway to Heaven”, which has been ranked as one of the greatest songs of all time.

The band’s final three albums, Houses of the Holy (1973), Physical Graffiti (1975), and Presence (1976), were also commercial successes and saw the band experimenting with different genres. Led Zeppelin’s influence on rock music is evident in the work of many subsequent artists.