Psychedelic Rock Bands You Need to Know About

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Psychedelic rock bands have been around since the 1960s. Here’s a list of some of the best ones you need to know about!

The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music. Their sound, rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, fused elements of classical music and traditional pop with innovative studio techniques to produce a genre-defying style that was initially met with hostility from the music establishment.

Formed in 1960 in Liverpool, England

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 act of the rock era. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, the group later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. In 1963 their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania”, but as the group’s music grew in sophistication their mainstream appeal plus totalled fans from many other demographics.

During their time as a active band they were a cultural phenomenon of the 20th century and Their songs oftenOHN LENNON’s social commentary Hector Meneses ,subversion of sexual norms ,and middle-class values helped make them controversial .On 15 August 1966 the four members were inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ,and in 1988 they were collectively awarded France’s Legion d’Honneur . In 2008 they received The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award . Three years after their break-up in 1970 ,the band were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame having been voted by the British public as fourth on ITV’s “Greatest Britons” poll . In 2004 Rolling Stone ranked The Beatles number one on its list of “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”. In 2015 , Billboard magazine named The Beatles the “Greatest Artist of All Time”, based on US chart performance.

Members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr

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 in history. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented with several musical styles, ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical elements and unconventional recording techniques in innovative ways. In 1963, their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania”; as the group’s music grew in sophistication in subsequent years, led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, the band came to be perceived as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era’s youth: exploration, freedom of expression, holding on to your dreams.

After the group’s break-up in 1970, all four members enjoyed success as solo artists. McCartney and Starr both continued to tour throughout the decade with Wings; Harrison released several best-selling albums including All Things Must Pass (1970) and Somewhere In England (1981); Lennon was shot and killed outside his New York City apartmentBuilding in 1980;

In 1988, Harrison was diagnosed with lung cancer; he died eight years later. The surviving members re-formed for two concerts: Live Aid in 1985 and a reunion concert in 2002. On 9 April 2014 – Paul McCartney’s birthday – ringo Starr announced on his website that he would be touring Japan and America with his All Starr Band during 2015

Notable songs: “Help!”, “Yesterday”, “Let it Be”

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The lineup consisted of John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals). They are often cited as the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed band in popular music history.

The Beatles are the best-selling band in history, with estimated sales of over 600 million records worldwide. They have had more number-one albums on the British charts and held the record for most weeks at number one in the United States for 62 years. In 2008, Billboard magazine released its list of the all-time Hot 100 artists to celebrate the US singles chart’s 50th anniversary, with The Beatles ranked at number 1. In 2012, Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Beatles number 1 on its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”.

The group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and all four main members were inducted individually between 1994 and 2015. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked The Beatles number 1 on its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”, reviewed their works from a critical perspective and placed them second on its list of “The Immortals – The Greatest Artists of All Time”. In 2009, Entertainment Weekly named The Beatles one of “The New Classics”, placing them at number 13 on their list.

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), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums).Stu Sutcliffe (bass) was temporarily a member of the band during 1961 but by 1962 had been replaced by Wyman.

Formed in 1962 in London, England

Formed in 1962, The Rolling Stones are an English rock band that have been described as one of the most influential bands of the 20th century. They started out as part of the British blues boom, playing a brand of blues-influenced psychedelic rock that came to be known as “blues rock”. The Rolling Stones have released 30 studio albums, 23 live albums and numerous compilations.

Members: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in 1962. The first stable line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). Jones was removed from the band less than a month prior to his death in 1969, having already been replaced by Mick Taylor, who remained until 1974. Following Taylor’s departure, Ronnie Wood took his place in 1975 and has remained a member ever since. Since Wyman’s retirement in 1993, Darryl Jones has served as their touring bassist. The Stones have not had an official keyboardist since 1963, but have employed occasional keyboard players for some studio recordings and live performances.

The Rolling Stones were at the forefront of the British Invasion of bands that became popular in the United States 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 of changing the worldwide focus of blues centres from Chicago to London and New York City. The band continued to release commercially successful records through the 1970s and avoided prescribed musical genres although it dabbled with reggae rhythms on Steel Wheels (1989) which immediately preceded their collaboration album with Jimmy Page titled Voodoo Lounge. In 2008, the band ranked 10th on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 before being presented with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

Notable songs: “Satisfaction”, “Paint it Black”, “Gimme Shelter”

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). 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 took his place in 1975 and continues on guitar in tandem with Richards. Since Wyman’s retirement in 1993, Darryl Jones has served as touring bassist. The Stones were at the forefront of the British Invasion of bands that became popular in the United States in 1964.

The band continued to release commercially successful records through the 1970s and sold many albums by old and new generations of fans alike. Sticky Fingers (1971) was their first album of new studio material to reach number one on both UK and US charts. In 1989 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, having been ranked number fourth on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. They have released 30 studio albums, 23 live albums and numerous compilations through 2017. The Stones have not toured since 2007; however, they continue to make headlines with anniversary album reissues and occasional live appearances by select members maintenance purposes.”

The Doors

Few bands have had as much of an impact on rock ‘n’ roll as The Doors. The group is credited with helping to create the psychedelic rock sound that came to define the late 1960s. The Doors’ music was often dark and brooding, with lyrics that dealt with taboo subjects like drugs and sex. The band’s live performances were also known for their intensity, and they were one of the first rock groups to make use of light shows and multimedia projections.

Formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California

The Doors were an American psychedelic rock band which was active from 1965 to 1973. The group consisted of singer and lyricist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger. They were one of the most popular and controversial bands of their era, mostly because of Morrison’s enigmatic persona and poetic lyrics. Their debut album, The Doors (1967), became one of the best-selling debut albums in history. It contained their most successful single, “Light My Fire”. Morrison died at the age of 27 in Paris; his death was ruled a drug-related accident. After his death, the remaining members continued without him for two more albums—Other Voices (1971) and Full Circle (1972)—but disbanded in 1973.

Members: Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore

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 breaking onto the national scene with their 1967 debut album Strange Days, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 album chart and produced their most successful single “Light My Fire”, the band pursued a variety of musical styles on subsequent albums, all of which sold well and received critical acclaim. By the end of 1971, it was widely accepted that The Doors were “the first American band to open up Western culture to Eastern influences”.

The group was founded by Morrison and Manzarek in 1965 in Hollywood. The Doors’ sound was rooted in psychedelic rock, but soaked in blues; it wasn’t hard to see how the group fit into both the Sunset Strip party scene of Los Angeles as well as Haight-Ashbury’s more artsy San Francisco commune milieu. Morrison had been fascinated by Eastern mysticism since high school; that interest translated into a newfound focus on spiritual matters after he started hanging out with Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia. Krieger’s jazz leanings added another unique dimension to The Doors’ music; his use of Hendrix-style feedback sounds helped set them apart from other groups on the L.A. club circuit during their early years.

Notable songs: “Light My Fire”, “Break on Through”, “The End”

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 and influential rock acts of the 1960s, mostly because of Morrison’s lyrics and voice along with his erratic stage persona. After Morrison’s high-profile death in 1971 at age 27, the remaining members continued as a trio until finally disbanding in 1973.

Despite not having substantial commercial success or radio airplay beyond the hits “Light My Fire”, “Break on Through (To the Other Side)”, and “Hello, I Love You”, The Doors nonetheless exerted a considerable influence on popular music and culture, especially after Morrison’s death. The Doors were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Rolling Stone ranked them 41st on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”, which was published two years later.

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd is one of the most influential and best-known psychedelic rock bands of all time. Formed in 1965 in London, England, Pink Floyd is known for their progressive and psychedelic sound. They are one of the most commercially successful and iconic rock bands in history, having sold over 200 million records worldwide.

Formed in 1965 in London, England

The band originally consisted of Syd Barrett on lead vocals and guitar, Nick Mason on drums, Roger Waters on bass and vocals, and Richard Wright on keyboards and vocals. Barrett was replaced by David Gilmour in 1968 due to his declining mental health. Pink Floyd is known for their innovative, psychedelic music and their extended compositions, such as “Atom Heart Mother”, “Echoes”, “The Dark Side of the Moon”, “Wish You Were Here”, “Animals” , and “The Wall”. They are also known for their live performances, which featured elaborate stage props and visual effects.

The band achieved international acclaim with their fourth album, The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), which topped the charts in several countries including the United States. With this album, they abandoned their earlier psychedelic sound in favor of a more radio-friendly rock sound. It was followed by Wish You Were Here (1975), another critical and commercial success. Animals (1977) was a return to their earlier style, while The Wall (1979) was a concept album that explored themes of isolation, alienation, and mental breakdown.

Members: Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, and Nick Mason

Pink Floyd was one of the most groundbreaking and influential bands of their time. They were pioneers in the development of psychedelia and progressive rock, and their music continues to inspire and influence musicians today.

The band was formed in 1965 by Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, and Nick Mason. Barrett was the primary songwriter and creative force behind the band in their early years, but his mental health problems led to his departure from the band in 1968. Waters took over as the primary songwriter, and the band released some of their most iconic albums during this period, including “The Dark Side of the Moon” and “Wish You Were Here”.

The band’s lineup changed several times over the years, with Wright leaving in 1979 and Waters departing in 1985. Despite these changes, Pink Floyd continued to be successful, releasing several more albums including “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” and “The Division Bell”.

Pink Floyd officially disbanded in 1995 following Wright’s death, but they have been reunion for special occasions since then. In 2005, they performed at Live 8, and in 2011 they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Notable songs: “The Wall”, “Another Brick in the Wall”, “Wish You Were Here”

Formed in London in 1965, Pink Floyd is one of the most iconic and influential rock bands of all time. With their pioneering use of psychedelic rock and spacey soundscapes, they created some of the most groundbreaking and timeless music in history. From their early hits like “See Emily Play” to their later classics like “The Dark Side of the Moon”, Pink Floyd’s music has captivated generations of listeners and inspired countless other artists. If you’re a fan of rock music, Pink Floyd is definitely a band you need to know about.

Led Zeppelin

One of the most influential rock bands of all time, Led Zeppelin redefined rock music in the 1970s with a mix of hard rock, blues, and folk. The band’s signature sound was driven by Jimmy Page’s guitar work and Robert Plant’s powerful vocals. Led Zeppelin’s impact can still be felt today in the work of modern rock bands.

Formed in 1968 in London, England

Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist and 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.

Despite their success, the band was plagued by personal turmoil and legal difficulties in the 1970s. After Bonham’s death in 1980, the group disbanded. Led Zeppelin are widely considered one of the most successful, innovative, and influential rock groups in history. They have sold more than 300 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked them No. 51 on its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”.

Members: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham

Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. The band’s heavy, guitar-driven sound, rooted in blues and psychedelia on their early albums, has come to be seen as the prototype for hard rock and heavy metal.

Notable songs: “Stairway to Heaven”, “Kashmir”, “Whole Lotta Love”

Formed in 1968, Led Zeppelin consisted of singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, 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 songs “Stairway to Heaven”, “Kashmir”, and “Whole Lotta Love” are among the most famous and influential rock songs of all time.

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