Psychedelic Rock Bands in San Francisco: Female Edition
Join us as we explore some of the most popular Psychedelic Rock Bands in San Francisco that are fronted by amazing female vocalists!
The Ace of Cups
The Ace of Cups was a psychedelic rock band that was based in San Francisco and was active in the late 1960s. The band was made up of five women, and they were one of the first all-female bands in rock music history. The Ace of Cups was known for their experimental and progressive sound, and they were an important part of the San Francisco music scene in the late 1960s.
History
The Ace of Cups was a psychedelic rock band formed in San Francisco in 1966 by vocalist Marla Hunt, rhythm guitarist Diane Vitalich, lead guitarist Mary Gannon, bassist Kathy Rickey and drummer Mbps. The band was one of the first all-female bands signed to a major record label, and their self-titled debut album was released on Elektra Records in 1968. The album failed to chart, but the band continued to tour and perform throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. They opened for such acts as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. The band broke up in 1972, but reunited briefly in 2006 for a concert at the Great American Music Hall.
Music
Ace of Cups was an all-female psychedelic rock band from San Francisco, CA who were active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band members were Marcy Levy (later known as Marcella Detroit), Denise Kaufman, Diane Vitalich, and Community Bjorklund. They were managed by Bill Graham and performed regularly at the Fillmore West.
The band released their self-titled debut album in 1968 on Vanguard Records. The album was produced by felow psychedelic rocker Bob Irwin and featured songs written by Levy, Kaufman, Vitalich, and Bjorklund. The band’s music has been described as “sunshine pop meets acid rock” and they have been cited as an influence by R.E.M., Sonic Youth, and Hole.
After several lineup changes, the band disbanded in 1972. Marcy Levy went on to have a successful solo career, Denise Kaufman toured with Leonard Cohen, and Diane Vitalich became a clothing designer.
The Charlatans
Psychedelic rock bands were some of the first to emerge from the San Francisco music scene in the 1960s. The Charlatans were one of the first, and they were also one of the only all-female bands in the scene. The Charlatans were known for their high-energy live shows and their experimental sound. They were a pivotal part of the San Francisco music scene and helped to shape the sound of psychedelic rock.
History
The Charlatans were an American psychedelic rock band, formed in San Francisco in 1965. The band’s original lineup included lead singer and guitarist Michael Arthur, guitarist and singer George Hunter, bassist Mike Wilhelm, and drummer Pete Carr. The band was known for its innovative blend of psychedelic rock and folk-rock styles, as well as its extensive live performances.
The Charlatans are often considered to be one of the first “psychedelic” rock bands. Their sound was characterized by extended improvisations, experimental textures, and a heavy use of reverb and feedback. The band’s use of unusual instrumentation, such as sitars and other Indian instruments, also contributed to their sound. The Charlatans were one of the first American bands to use Marshall amplifier stacks.
The band’s live shows were often lengthy marathons that featured multiple sets of music, light shows, film projections, and poetry readings. The Charlatans were managed by Chet Helms, who later went on to co-found the Fillmore West concert hall. The Charlatans shared bills with many of the leading San Francisco bands of the time, including the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Moby Grape.
The Charlatans released two albums during their brief career: The Charlatans (1968) and Voxx (1969). Both albums achieved moderate commercial success but failed to capture the band’s dynamic live performances. The Charlatans disbanded in 1969 after Mike Wilhelm left the group to join Country Joe and the Fish.
Music
Psychedelic rock bands were very popular in San Francisco in the 1960s. One of the most popular groups was The Charlatans. The Charlatans were a 10-piece band that was made up of seven men and three women. The band’s sound was a mix of blues, folk, country, and rock. The band was known for their long jams and their unique stage shows. The Charlatans were one of the first psychedelic rock bands to achieve mainstream success.
The Great Society
History
The Great Society was one of the first all-female psychedelic bands in San Francisco. They were active from 1965-1966, and were led by singer Darby Slick (who was also the sister-in-law of guitarist Jerry Garcia). The other members of the group were Grace Slick (no relation to Darby), Kathy Wingert, and Lindadelle Hubbard. The band was short-lived, but their music influenced many subsequent female rock groups.
The Great Society’s music was marked by eerie, ethereal vocals and heavy use of feedback and distortion. Their sound has been compared to that of The Velvet Underground, and they are often cited as an influence by punk and grunge bands such as Sonic Youth. The group only released one album, 1968’s ‘Conspicuous Only in Its Absence’, which is now considered a psychedelic classic.
After the dissolution of The Great Society, Darby Slick went on to form the folk rock group gathering later known as “Big Brother and the Holding Company”, while Grace Slick joined Jefferson Airplane.
Music
The best way to describe the sound of The Great Society is “psychedelic garage rock.” The band, which was started by Grace Slick and Jerry Garcia, was influenced by the British Invasion bands of the 1960s, as well as the burgeoning garage rock scene in their hometown of San Francisco.
The Great Society was one of the first all-female bands to achieve success in the male-dominated world of rock music. Their biggest hit, “Somebody to Love,” reached #5 on the Billboard charts in 1966. The band broke up in 1968, but not before leaving their mark on music history.
