A Survey of Psychedelic Rock: Chapter 7

Welcome to the seventh and final installment of our series on psychedelic rock! This week, we’ll be taking a look at some of the most influential albums in the genre. We’ll also be discussing the future of psychedelic rock and what direction it might take in the years to come. Thanks for joining us on this journey through the world of psychedelic rock!

Psychedelic Rock in the 1970s

Psychedelic rock is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Psychedelic rock is characterised by distorted guitars, groovy basslines, and mind-bending lyrical themes. The subgenre is often associated with the hippie counterculture of the 1960s and early 1970s. Psychedelic rock reached its commercial peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s with bands such as the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Jefferson Airplane, and the Grateful Dead.

The Origins of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s. The style is characterized by distorted guitars, extended improvised solos, and unusual or controversial lyrics. The term “psychedelic” was first coined in 1956 by psychiatrist Humphry Osmond. Psychedelic rock became widespread during the mid-1960s and achieved mainstream popularity in the United States and Europe by 1967.

The style is generally credited to American garage rock bands such as the 13th Floor Elevators and the San Francisco Sound, British Invasion groups such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, and Psychedelic Soul groups such as Sly and the Family Stone. Psychedelic rock reached its peak popularity between 1965 and 1969, but continued to be popular among underground music fans throughout the 1970s.

The genre had a significant influence on subsequent genres, including punk rock, new wave music, jam bands, and grunge. Psychedelic rock has also been a significant influence on non-rock genres such as disco, funk, electronic music, and hip hop.

The Mainstreaming of Psychedelic Rock

In the span of just a few years, psychedelic rock went from the marginals of the music industry to one of its most lucrative genres.Psychedelic rock first entered the mainstream in 1966 with The Beatles’ “Revolver,” which featured several songs with psychedelic elements. The Beach Boys soon followed with their own psychedelic-influenced album, “Pet Sounds.”

By 1967, psychedelic rock was firmly entrenched in the mainstream, with hit singles like The Doors’ “Light My Fire” and The Grateful Dead’s “Nightfall of Diamonds.”Psychedelic rock reached its commercial peak in 1968 with the release of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and The Rolling Stones’ “Beggars Banquet.”

In the early 1970s, as psychedelia began to fall out of favor with the counterculture, many psychedelic rock bands either disbanded or moved into other genres. However, a number of artists continued to record and release psychedelic-influenced music throughout the decade. Notable examples include David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Queen, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, and Aerosmith.

Psychedelic Rock in the 1980s

Psychedelic rock evolved in the late 1960s and continued to be popular throughout the 1970s. By the 1980s, the genre had splintered into a number of different styles. In this chapter, we’ll survey some of the more popular styles of psychedelic rock in the 1980s.

The New Wave of Psychedelic Rock

The new wave of psychedelic rock, which began in the late 1970s and gained prominence in the 1980s, was characterized by a return to the heavier, guitar-based sound of the original psychedelic rock bands, as well as a renewed interest in the experimenting with electronic and synthesizer-based sounds. This new wave of psychedelic rock was led by bands such as The Psychedelic Furs, Echo & the Bunnymen, and The Cult.

The Decline of Psychedelic Rock

By the mid-1970s, the initial wave of psychedelic rock had receded, leaving behind a number of new genres and sounds that were either developed from, or influenced by, the original movement. Some of these – including glam rock, prog rock and heavy metal – would go on to have a lasting impact on popular music. Others, such as krautrock and space rock, experimenting with different ideas and sounds, pushed the boundaries of what was considered psychedelic rock.

However, by the early 1980s, psychedelic rock was in decline. Many of the key figures of the first wave had either disbanded or moved on to other musical projects. Punk rock, with its stripped-down sound and DIY ethic, was increasingly popular in the UK and USA, while in Germany, Kraftwerk and other electronic acts were starting to gain attention.

There were still some excellent psychedelic rock bands active during this period – including The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd and Hawkwind – but it was clear that the days of psychedelia as a dominant force in rock music were over.

Psychedelic Rock in the 1990s

Psychedelic rock music became more popular in the 1990s with the help of the internet. The 1990s saw the rise of internet culture and the fall of the Soviet Union. This led to a more freely open world, which in turn meant that more people were exposed to psychedelic rock music.

The Resurgence of Psychedelic Rock

After a period of dormancy in the 1980s, Psychedelic Rock made a comeback in the early 1990s. A new generation of bands were influenced by the sounds ofPsychedelic Rock from the 1960s and 1970s, and sought to create their own take on the genre. These bands combined elements of Psychedelic Rock with other genres, such as Grunge, Funk, and Hip Hop. The result was a fresh and unique sound that captured the imagination of listeners around the world.

Some of the most popular Psychedelic Rock bands of the 1990s include The Flaming Lips, Weezer, Beck, and The Smashing Pumpkins. These bands brought Psychedelic Rock to a new audience and helped to revitalize the genre. Psychedelic Rock was no longer just a relic of the past – it was alive and well in the present day.

The Legacy of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock continued to have an impact on the music of the 1990s, both in terms of style and substance. The genre’s use of feedback, noise, and extended improvisation helped to lay the foundation for alternative rock, while its preoccupation with themes of mind expansion and exploration anticipated the arrival of rave culture and electronic dance music. Furthermore, many of the key figures of psychedelic rock went on to enjoy successful careers in other musical genres: Jimi Hendrix became a pioneer of hard rock and funk; Pink Floyd became one of the best-selling bands in history; and Grateful Dead became one of America’s most popular touring bands.