Psychedelic Folk Rock Artists You Need to Know

Here are some of the most talented Psychedelic Folk Rock artists you need to know about if you’re a fan of the genre.

The Origins of Psychedelic Folk Rock

Psychedelic folk rock is a genre of music that emerged in the late 1960s. It blends elements of folk music and rock music, and is often characterized by its use of psychedelic drugs. The genre originated in the United States and United Kingdom, and spread to other countries in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The late 1960s

Psychedelic folk rock is a subgenre of folk rock that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It combines elements of psychedelic rock and folk music and is often characterized by lightly distorted guitars, close vocal harmonies, and lyrics about love, peace, and social change.

Several artists who would later be associated with the subgenre were involved in the late-1960s psychedelia scene in Los Angeles, including David Crosby, Grace Slick, and the members of The Byrds. The genre began to coalesce around 1968 with the release of Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland, Dylan’s John Wesley Harding, Crosby’s If I Could Only Remember My Name, and The Byrds’ Sweetheart of the Rodeo.

Other important early records include Fairport Convention’s Liege & Lief (1969), Kevin Ayers’ Joy of a Toy (1969), The Pentangle’s Basket of Light (1969), and Alasdair Roberts’ Too Long in This Condition (2001).

The early 1970s

The early 1970s was a period of exploration for many artists in different genres, includingPsychedelic Folk Rock. This new type of music took the traditional sounds of Folk music and combined it with the experimental nature of Psychedelic Rock. The result was a unique and often strange sound that was perfect for the times.

Some of the most well-known Psychedelic Folk Rock artists emerged during this period, including Bob Dylan, The Byrds, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. These artists took the traditional sounds of Folk music and added their own personal touch, creating a new and exciting sound that would soon become popular with fans all over the world.

The Key Players

If you’re a fan of Bob Dylan or The Grateful Dead, then you’ll love psychedelic folk rock. This genre of music combines the best of folk and rock music with trippy, mind-bending lyrics. Here are some of the key players in the psychedelic folk rock scene.

Bob Dylan

Boynton Beach, Florida native and the 12th greatest songwriter of all time (as rated by Rolling Stone), Dylan is a living legend. His impact on music is immeasurable, with his poetic lyrics paving the way for generations of storytellers. His sound has evolved over the years, from his early acoustic folk songs to his more recent electric rock anthems, but one thing has remained constant: Dylan is a master of his craft. If you’re looking for a gateway into the world of psychedelic folk rock, Dylan is a great place to start.

The Byrds

One of the most influential American bands of the 1960s, The Byrds blended elements of folk, pop, and country music to create their own distinctive style of folk rock. The band’s greatest hits include “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season),” and “Eight Miles High.” Although the Byrds only released eight studio albums during their seven-year career, they left a lasting mark on popular music and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

Neil Young

Most music fans are familiar with the name Neil Young, even if they don’t know much about his music. Young is one of the most popular and influential musicians of his generation, and his work has had a profound impact on the development of rock music.

Young was born in Canada in 1945, and he began his musical career as a member of the folk rock group Buffalo Springfield. He later moved on to form the hugely successful rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, which released a number of hits in the 1970s including “Southern Cross” and “Teach Your Children.”

In addition to his work with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Neil Young has also had a successful solo career, releasing more than 30 albums over the course of his 50-year career. Some of his most popular solo albums include “After the Gold Rush” (1970), “Harvest” (1972), “Rust Never Sleeps” (1979), and “Old Ways” (1985).

Throughout his long and prolific career, Neil Young has been known for his willingness to experiment with different musical styles and genres. He has dabbled in everything from folk to country to punk rock, and he is always looking for new ways to push the envelope. This willingness to experiment has made him one of the most respected and admired artists in the world.

The Legacy

Psychedelic folk rock is a musical genre that took root in the 1960s and 1970s. The genre is a blend of folk music and rock music, with elements of psychedelia thrown in. The genre is known for its use of unusual instrumentation, extended improvisation, and for its often political and antiauthoritarian lyrics. Some of the most famous psychedelic folk rock artists include Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and The Grateful Dead.

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, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, and modal jazz. They are considered one of the Coronavirus’s most influential groups.

The band was founded by Jerry Garcia on lead guitar and vocals, Bob Weir on rhythm guitar and vocals, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan on keyboards and harmonica, Phil Lesh on bass guitar and vocals, and Bill Kreutzmann on drums. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and their performance at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair in 1969 has been ranked #57 on Rolling Stone’s list of “the 100 Greatest Performances of All Time.”

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young is a folk rock supergroup made up of some of the most influential musicians of their generation. The group is composed of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young. Together, they created some of the most iconic songs of the 1960s and 1970s, including “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” and “Teach Your Children.”

CSNY was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and their music continues to inspire new generations of artists. If you’re a fan of folk rock or just looking to expand your musical horizons, be sure to give Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young a listen.

Poco

Poco is an American country rock band formed in 1968. The band’s name comes from the title of their debut album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces. The group has undergone numerous lineup changes over the years, with founding members Richie Furay and Jim Messina remaining the only constant members.

Poco was originally formed as a spin-off of Buffalo Springfield by outgoing members Furay and Messina. The pair were joined by bassist Rusty Young and drummer George Grantham. The foursome released their debut album in 1968 to critical acclaim, but commercial success eluded them.

The group added new members keyboardist/singer Timothy B. Schmit and guitarist/singer Paul Cotton for their second album, Deliverin’, which was released in 1969. This album marked a shift in the band’s sound towards a more country-influenced sound. The album was a moderate success, but Furay left the band after its release due to creative differences.

Furay was replaced by singer/guitarist Neil Young for 1970’s self-titled third album. Young brought with him his country-rock sensibilities, as well as a more laid-back approach to songwriting and performing. This new direction helped to catapult Poco into the mainstream, and the album was a huge success, spawning the hit single “Crazy Love”.

Young left the band after its release to focus on his solo career, and he was replaced by singer/guitarist Randy Meisner. Meisner brought with him a more hard rock-influenced sound, which can be heard on 1971’s From the Inside. This album was another commercial success for the group, thanks in part to the hit single “Me and You”.

Grantham left the band shortly after its release, and was replaced by drummer Michael Clarke. With this new lineup in place, Poco released 1972’s A Good Feelin’ to Know. This album continued in the same hard rock vein as From the Inside, but failed to match its predecessor’s commercial success

The New Guard

A new crop of Psychedelic Folk Rock artists are taking the music world by storm. With a sound that harkens back to the 60s and 70s, these artists are bringing a fresh perspective to an old genre. If you’re a fan of Psychedelic Folk Rock, or just looking for something new to listen to, check out these artists.

Fleet Foxes

Though their last album came out seven years ago, Fleet Foxes have maintained a steady presence in the folk rock scene. The Seattle-based band is known for their intricately arranged songs, which feature multiple harmony-laden vocal tracks and instrumentation that ranges from acoustic guitar to strings to flute. They often explore themes of nature, love, and loss in their lyrics, giving their music a wistful, nostalgic feel.

Fleet Foxes’ sound has been compared to that of groups like Crosby, Stills & Nash and Simon & Garfunkel, but they have also been influenced by more contemporary artists like Beach House and Grizzly Bear. Whatever their influences may be, Fleet Foxes have definitely carved out a unique niche for themselves in the music world, and they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons are an English rock band from London, formed in 2007. The band consists of Marcus Mumford (lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drums), Ben Lovett ( keyboards, vocals), Winston Marshall ( banjo, electric guitar, mandolin) and Ted Dwane ( bass guitar, double bass, drums, percussion). Mumford & Sons have released three studio albums: Sigh No More (2009), Babel (2012) and Wilder Mind (2015). The band has also issued two live albums: Live at Shepherd’s Bush Empire (2011) and The Road to Red Rocks (2016).

Mumford & Sons were nominated for Best New Artist at the 53rd Grammy Awards. They won the Brit Award for Best British Group in 2013. In 2015 they received five Grammy nominations, winning Album of the Year and Best British Album for Babel.

Their musical style is considered to be a mix of traditional folk music with influences of rock and roll, indie rock and even some hip-hop. Their lyrics often deal with themes of doubt, love and faith.

The Lumineers

The Lumineers are an American folk rock band based in Denver, Colorado. The founding members are Wesley Schultz on guitar and vocals, and Jeremiah Fraites on drums and percussion. The Lumineers first garnered attention with their single “Ho Hey”, which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Since then, the band has released two studio albums, and have sold over 8 million records worldwide.