Jim DeRogatis’ “Turn On Your Mind: Four Decades of Great
Contents
Jim DeRogatis is one of the most respected music critics in the business, and his new book, Turn On Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock, is a must-read for any fan of the genre. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the highlights from the book.
Jim DeRogatis’ “Turn On Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock”
Jim DeRogatis’ “Turn On Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock” is a detailed, comprehensive guide to the history of psychedelic rock. DeRogatis chronicles the genre from its beginnings in the 1960s to its present day incarnation, and offers a detailed analysis of the music, the bands, and the cultural phenomenon of psychedelia.
Introduction
In his new book, “Turn On Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock,” veteran music critic Jim DeRogatis looks at the history and evolution of psychedelic rock, from its beginnings in the early 1960s to its current incarnation in the 21st century. Along the way, DeRogatis discusses the major players in the genre, from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Pink Floyd and The Grateful Dead, and examines how the music has changed and been influenced by popular culture over the years.
The Roots of Psychedelic Rock
In the early 1960s, American rock and roll was pretty simple stuff. It was mostly three chords and a backbeat, played by white musicians strumming guitars and singing about girls, cars, and partying. Then something happened that would change rock music forever: a new generation of musicians began experimenting with mind-altering drugs like LSD, and they started making music that reflected their expanded state of consciousness. This new style of music came to be known as psychedelic rock, and it remains one of the most popular and influential genres in rock history.
Psychedelic rock is usually characterized by extended improvisation, complex song structures, and a use of feedback, distortion, effects pedals, and other sonic experiments to create an “intensely visual or “trippy” sound. The genre often deals with themes of mind expansion, spiritual transcendence, drug use, and social commentary. Early pioneers of psychedelic rock include The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Sly & the Family Stone ,The 13th Floor Elevators ,and Love .
The British Invasion
The British Invasion began in late 1963 with the arrival of the Beatles on U.S. shores and resulted in a wholesale changes in American pop music tastes. The clean-cut, mop-topped image of the Beatles and their contemporaries such as Gerry and the Pacemakers, Herman’s Hermits, and the Dave Clark Five was in stark contrast to the more rough-hewn look and sound of American rock bands such as The Beach Boys, The Byrds, and Bob Dylan. The British Invasion bands also brought with them a new kind of songwriting that was more introspective and personal than what had come before. classic examples of this style include the Beatles’ “Yesterday” and “Eleanor Rigby,” the Zombies’ “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No,” and the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” and “All Day and All of the Night.” British Invasion bands also had a profound influence on fashion, with young people all over the world emulating the “mod” style popularized by groups like The Who and The Small Faces.
The Summer of Love
It was the summer of love, and for many, it was a time of exploration and change. Psychedelic music was at the forefront of this cultural shift, and Jim DeRogatis’ “Turn On Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock” is a comprehensive guide to this influential genre.
From the early days of the San Francisco Sound to the contemporary revival of psychedelic music, DeRogatis traces the history of psychedelia through its most important artists and albums. He also provides an insightful look at the social and political conditions that gave rise to this unique form of expression.
Whether you’re a fan of psychedelic music or simply curious about its origins, “Turn On Your Mind” is an essential read.
Psychedelic Rock in the 1970s
The 1970s was a decade of great change for psychedelic rock. After the huge commercial success of The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, many bands began to experiment with psychedelic elements in their music. Psychedelic rock began to decline in popularity in the late 1970s, but several important bands, including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Rush, continued to experiment with the genre.
The Legacy of Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock, sometimes called acid rock, developed in the mid-’60s and reached the height of its popularity in the late ’60s and early ’70s. The genre is characterized by distorted guitars, extended improvisation, and unconventional song structures. Psychedelic rock was a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The term is often used interchangeably with “acid rock.”
Psychedelic rock began to decline in popularity in the late 1970s, but it has continued to influence subsequent generations of musicians. Some of the most famous practitioners of psychedelic rock include Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and the Grateful Dead.
Psychedelic rock has been cited as an inspiration by many subsequent genres of music, including punk rock, metal, and jam band. The genre is also notable for its influence on fashion and culture, particularly among young people.
