Vintage Psychedelic Rock Posters from the 60’s
Contents
Check out our amazing collection of Vintage Psychedelic Rock Posters from the 60’s! These posters are perfect for any music lover or collector.
The Psychedelic Movement
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. The music is intended to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs, most notably LSD.
What is Psychedelic Art?
Psychedelic art is a style of art, characterised by bright colours and often abnormal images, which was prevalent in Western popular culture in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Psychedelic art is associated with the Psychedelic music scene of the same era, and is often intended to reproduce or capture the experience of altered consciousness.
The Psychedelic Experience
In the 1960s, a new type of music emerged that was unlike anything that had come before it. Psychedelic rock, or “psychedelia,” was a style of music characterized by mind-altering and often hallucinogenic drug use, loud and distorted guitar sounds, trippy effects like phasing and flanging, extended jams, and an overall trippy, “out-of-body” sound and feel.
Psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms were central to the psychedelic experience, and many of the most famous psychedelic bands of the era wrote songs about these drugs. Psychedelic rock quickly became the soundtrack to the burgeoning counterculture movement of the 1960s, with bands like The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Jimi Hendrix becoming household names.
While psychedelic rock was initially mostly popular with white audiences, some African American musicians began experimenting with the style as well. Sly and the Family Stone’s 1968 album Stand! is often cited as one of the first truly psychedelic soul records. Psychedelic rock would go on to have a profound influence on subsequent genres like punk rock, new wave, and even hip hop.
The Psychedelic Movement
The Psychedelic Movement began in the early 1960s and was marked by the use of psychedelic drugs such as LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline. These drugs were often used in an attempt to achieve a higher level of consciousness or to experience altered states of consciousness. The movement also involved the use of music, art, and literature to further promote the psychedelic experience.
Psychedelic Rock Posters
Psychedelic rock posters from the 60’s are some of the most sought after collectibles from that era. The vibrant colors and trippy designs are iconic of the time period and continue to be popular today. Psychedelic rock posters can be found for a variety of bands and musicians and often sell for high prices.
The Designers
Some of the most iconic psychedelic rock posters were created by San Francisco artist Stanley Mouse. Between 1966 and 1970, Mouse created over 100 concert posters, many of which have become highly sought-after collectibles. His distinctive style, which blended cartoonish images with psychedelic colors and patterns, helped to define the visual aesthetic of the counterculture movement.
In addition to Mouse, other notable designers who created psychedelic rock posters during the 1960s include Wes Wilson, Dave Haslam, and Victor Moscoso. Wilson was one of the first artists to experiment with using distorted typefaces and multicolored inks in his poster designs; his work has been cited as a major influence by many subsequent graphic designers. Haslam’s posters are characterized by their use of intricate line drawings and hallucinogenic lettering; he is credited with popularizing the “kaleidoscopic” effect in poster design. Moscoso is known for his use of optical illusions and day-glo colors in his work; he was the first poster artist to employ formalist design principles in his creations.
The Subjects
Psychedelic art is intricate and detailed, often with bizarre or surreal imagery. Psychedelic rock posters are no different, and they often feature intriguing and eye-catching images. The most popular subjects for these posters were concerts, festivals, and other events. Many of these posters were used to promote popular bands of the time, such as The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, and The Who. Other subjects included political messages, drugs, and anti-war sentiment. Psychedelic rock posters often featured bright colors and bold designs that were meant to catch the eye and stand out in a crowd.
While the imagery on psychedelic rock posters was often about peace, love, and freedom, it also frequently contained references to sex, drugs, and violence. This was part of the appeal for many young people at the time; the poster designs were both visually stimulating and unpredictable. Additionally, the use of psychedelic imagery was often seen as a way to rebel against authority figures who disapproved of the counterculture movement.
The Techniques
The psychedelic art movement is often seen as either art for art’s sake or as political propaganda. In the 1960s, it became common for psychedelic artists to use techniques from advertising and commercial art to sell their work or promote a particular point of view. Many of the artists associated with the psychedelic movement were highly skilled and had formal training in art, while others were self-taught.
Psychedelic artists frequently used distorted or exaggerated images, bright colors, and hallucinogenic themes in their work. This was often done in an attempt to represent the experience of drug-induced hallucinations, but it could also be used to create “mind-expanding” artwork that was intended to provoke an emotional or spiritual reaction in the viewer. Some artists used optical illusions and other visual tricks to create ” thrilling ” effects.
Psychedelic rock posters were some of the most iconic images of the psychedelic movement. They were often used to advertise concerts by popular bands, and they frequently featured heavily manipulated images of the performers. Many of these posters have become highly collectible and are now considered works of art in their own right.
Where to Find Psychedelic Rock Posters
Psychedelic rock posters were most popular in the 1960s and can be found in many different places. You can find them at vintage stores, online, or even at garage sales. Psychedelic rock posters are a great way to add some color and life to your walls, and they can also be a great conversation starter.
Online Auctions
Online auctions are a great way to find vintage psychedelic rock posters from the 60’s. You can often find posters that are in excellent condition and that are being sold by reputable dealers. Be sure to check the feedback of the seller before bidding, and be sure to ask any questions you may have about the poster before bidding.
Vintage Stores
Vintage stores are a great place to start your search for psychedelic rock posters. Many of these stores specialize in selling vintage items from the 1960s, so you’re likely to find a wide selection of posters to choose from.
Another advantage of shopping at vintage stores is that the prices are often very reasonable. Since these posters are not being produced anymore, they are considered to be “collectibles” which can drive up the price. However, at a vintage store you’ll be able to find them at a more affordable price point.
Finally, shopping at a vintage store allows you to see the posters in person before you make a purchase. This is important because it allows you to get a better sense of the condition of the poster and decide if it’s something that you’re interested in adding to your collection.
Poster Shows
Poster shows were advertised in the local underground papers and put on by promoters such as Chet Helms and Bill Graham. The Avalon Ballroom, Fillmore Auditorium, and Grande Ballroom were some of the most famous venues in San Francisco that regularly held psychedelic rock concerts during the Summer of Love. Some of the most popular bands at poster shows were the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Quicksilver Messenger Service.
While today it is mostly collectors who seek out vintage psychedelic rock posters, in the 1960s these posters were created as a means of advertising upcoming concerts. Most shows were only announced a week or two in advance, so these colorful flyers were an essential tool for promoters and venue owners. The artists who created these posters were often paid very little for their work, but their designs helped to shape the visual aesthetic of the psychedelic rock movement.
The best place to find vintage psychedelic rock posters is at a poster show. These events are typically organized by collectors and feature a wide variety of vendors selling both new and used posters. Poster shows are a great way to see a wide selection of posters in one place, and they also offer an opportunity to meet other collectors and learn more about the hobby.
