*Image taken from the internet and likely copyrighted
I’m not exactly sure why, but lately I’ve been thinking about – and listening to – a lot of psychedelic rock. Well, actually I know why. As long time readers know I like to kick off each year by looking back 50 years to create a playlist. I’ve done songs from 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and obviously this year, 1975. I started all this in 2021 when I kept reading about 1971 being “the“ best year rock n roll ever had. I don’t know about that but it was a helluva strong year. Later, of course, I started a similar series looking back 40 years, to the 80s but didn’t start that until 1982… followed, naturally by 1983, 1984 and this year we will be doing 1985 eventually. I do love the conversations sparked by those playlists dedicated to a certain year.
I don’t know why I didn’t have the idea before all the hoopla around 1971’s music but so be it. However, having started this thing with 1971, I left out some pretty key years – from 1967 to 1970. I’ll probably circle back to those years but when, I don’t know? In looking back at 1960’s albums, I looked at 1966’s releases and while there were some great ones, The Beatles put out Revolver that year, the quality and quantity of albums rose sharply in 1967, The Summer Of Love. I think the album as an art form didn’t really come together until the Beatles changed everything with Rubber Soul and then the aforementioned Revolver. Albums prior had many times been collections of singles and b-sides thrown together to make more money from “the kids.” The Beatles, as they did so often in their storied career, elevated the album. So I probably won’t be going back any further than 1967 as I only pull songs from albums from a certain year.
And if I’m being honest about my current interest in psychedelic rock, I have been listening to a lot of Grateful Dead lately. I typically focus on their “Americana” period but lately inspired by the box set for Mars Hotel I find myself going back to their earlier, more psychedelic work. And let’s face it, with ‘Shrooms making such a strong comeback these days, the kids need something trippy to listen to so why not some classic psychedelic rock. I’m no Owsley Stanley dosing kids for Ken Kesey & the Merry Pranksters at the Electric Acid Kool-Aid Tests but I can suggest some good tunes. And if I’m being honest, psychedelics were never a good fit for me… give me a tall bourbon but I digress.
1967 saw the debut albums from the Doors and Jimi Hendrix and a sensational second album from the Jefferson Airplane. Then the Beatles changed everything with Sgt Pepper’s. What do these albums all have in common, beyond the release date in 1967? They’re all considered “psychedelic rock” albums. And in my opinion, based on my whiskey soaked research, is that ’67 was the pinnacle year for psychedelic rock. It’s key period probably lasted from ’67 to ’69. It was certainly long gone by the time I started listening to music, but then there were still black light posters in high demand in the late 70s too. Psychedelic rock was in many ways inspired by the LSD that the Baby Boomers were all taking back then. The music is often referred to as acid rock, but I think of acid rock as being the heavier stuff, like Iron Butterfly (“Ina-Gada-Da-Vida” anyone?).
The term psychedelic rock conjures up cool concert posters and hippies dressed in day-glo colors dropping acid and grooving at an anti-war protest. I think it kind of gets a bad rap these days, but there are some great psychedelic rock albums and songs out there. The term is defined as being “music that’s heavily influenced by drugs with lots of guitars (expressly using a lot of feedback and distortion) including extended jams, with dirge-y elements of Indian music (ragas). The music often employs sound effects (think Pink Floyd). Keyboards, especially the organ, also feature heavily in psychedelic rock.” When it comes to this particular genre, it’s a bit like that Supreme Court judge who once said about pornography, something along the lines of, I can’t explain what it is, but “I know it when I see it.”
As I explored psychedelic rock I realized that many of the great groups of the 60s played that style and we’ve all been listening to psychedelic rock without really realizing it. I wanted to list my favorite albums from that period as a starting point for people to do their own research into this great music. Sure, there were groups like the Buffalo Springfield who included Neil Young’s great song “Broken Arrow” which is definitely psychedelic rock, but the rest of the album it’s on is trad country rock/rock. Who knows, if you start dabbling in these albums you might dig deeper into the 13th Floor Elevators, Donovan, Moby Grape or the Small Faces. The Pretty Things experimented with all sorts of music including psychedelic rock on F.S. Sorrow, you might end up checking that out too. But for me, these are my favs and they serve as a good jumping off point into the genre:
- The Beatles – Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Magical Mystery Tour. I could have included Revolver, but these two jump out at me.
- Big Brother And The Holding Company (Janis Joplin) – Cheap Thrills. Janis embraced the whole look. Psychedelic blues rock?
- The Byrds – Fifth Dimension. This album came out in ’66 so they got an early jump on it. Psychedelic folk rock?
- Cream – Disreali Gears. Probably my favorite Cream.
- The Doors – The Doors and Strange Days. I didn’t realize they’d kicked out their first two albums both in 1967.
- Dr. John – Gris Gris. Dr. John, aka Mac Rebennack, never gets the credit he deserves.
- Grateful Dead – Anthem Of The Sun, Aoxomoxoa, and Live/Dead. Anthem is quickly becoming another favorite in my new found love of the Dead. Live/Dead ranks amongst my list of Greatest Live Albums ever.
- The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced? and Axis: Bold As Love. “Are you experienced?” indeed. I could have probably included his third album, the double disc Electric Ladyland, but by then I felt he was expanding his musical palette beyond psychedelic rock on that album.
- Jefferson Airplane – Surrealistic Pillow. I had this one on vinyl but sold it. Sometimes your brain has to catch up to the music and at the time I just wasn’t ready.
- Love – Forever Changes. I feel like Arthur Lee is a bit of a forgotten visionary genius.
- Pink Floyd – Piper At The Gates Of Dawn and Saucer Full Of Secrets. The latter album is amongst my favorite Floyd LPs. I could have included the singles “Arnold Layne,” and “See Emily Play” both penned by Syd Barrett.
- The Rolling Stones – Between The Buttons and Their Satanic Majesties Request. Between The Buttons saw the Stones sticking their toe in the psychedelic pond but Satanic is full blown immersion in the genre. Everybody hates Satanic and it’s derided as a Sgt Pepper knock off. It is, but with songs like “She’s A Rainbow” and “2000 Light Years From Home” it does have it’s merits.
- Sly and The Family Stone – Stand! and There’s A Riot Going On. We don’t talk enough about the genius of Sly around here… Psychedelic funk?
- The Who – The Who Sell Out. “I Can See For Miles” is one of the supreme psych rock songs. This is where the Who started getting into concept albums.
- The Yardbirds – Roger The Engineer. Jeff Beck is just genius on this album. Is there such a thing as psychedelic blues?
- Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention – Freak Out!. I’m not a huge Zappa fan, I probably need someone to make some suggestions on where to go with him, but I love this album.
- The Zombies – Odyssey And Oracle. “Time Of The Season” is one of the greatest songs of all time. “What’s your name? Who’s your daddy? Is he rich like me?” I wonder if that come-on line ever worked?
Again, I’m more of a boozer and I’m not into psychedelics, but if you’re planning on dabbling in Shrooms, I have to think some of this music might help you along the road of your exploration of existence and the universe. They say these trips can really open up your mind to the infinite possibilities. This list is really only the tip of the iceberg as far as this genre is concerned but I love all of these albums and hope I can turn you onto something you have heard or haven’t heard in a long time. And of course, if you’ve got a favorite LP from this genre, please drop it in the comments and I’ll check it out!
Stay groovy out there… Cheers! We can use a little bright color in these dark days of winter…
Great column Ken and so many well said observations about such a unique, explosive and pivotal point in culture, society and music. 1967 was certainly a very full year, especially for those living in the Bay Area. To have a time machine!
I could talk a lot about this, for sure, but one comment I’ll make to propel your musical conversation Further 😉 is that what is ofte.n overlooked about this whole era is how much it parallels and was influenced by the Jazz musicians from the 30s forward. Those guys/gals were really doing the drawn out, cerebral exploration first.
I think ive shared this with you but Bill Graham had Miles Davis open for the Grateful Dead in SF once. The whole band listened side stage and Phil Lesh almost never played again because he felt so small and untalented in contrast. 😃
Always awesome stuff – thanks for sharing!
Thank you David! It’s funny, I never knew that jazz had an influence over the psychedelic movement but it totally make sense to me. I’ve always said that the Allmans were a jazz band who played with a blues ethos. It makes sense that bands like the Dead and the Doors (who I once heard described as “acid jazz”) would be influenced by the great jazz players. The whole improvisational, jam thing can be drawn in a direct line from jazz. Love it!! Thank you, as always for the comments!
I have most of these on vinyl, you just got me in the mood to break them out! 😎
Do it!! (I’m like you, I have most of these on vinyl…might have to break out some Doors later…) Cheers!
I started with Strange Days! 😉
Great minds!
Check out Aorta (the band and the album, “It’s your main vein”). Very psychedelic, lots of heart mentions in the lyrics. 1969, I think, and check out SRC. Finally, check out H. P. Lovecraft. You’ll find they are the hidden psychedelic gems of 1967 – 1969. Opps, also The Amboy Dukes. There ya go, sad one deep tracks.
I Always Wondered If Joplin, Morrison, Hendrix Would Have Been Here Today. What Would Our Music be Like Today?
I once saw two guys get in a fist fight on the school bus on the ride home from high school because one of them adamantly suggested that had he lived Hendrix would have gone full on into jazz. Clearly the other guy took exception to that. It’s an interesting thought – where would those talented artists have gone creatively had they lived… if only! Cheers!
Country Joe and the Fish. The album is called Electric Music for the Mind and Body.
Thank you!! I’ll check it out. I know they were at Woodstock, but I must admit I don’t think I’ve ever explored their music! I appreciate the suggestion.
With all due respect, your review exudes a 20/20 hindsight that doesn’t really reflect the music of the era: 1967-1969. Psychedelic Rock really emerged from San Francisco, then LA, but not all LA bands were stoners while ALL the SF bands were! I grew up in Seattle, class of 1969, so I grew up during that era, and since Seattle was just up I-5 from SF and LA, I got to see all those historic bands every weekend.
The Great San Francisco Psychedelic Bands: 1. Jefferson Airplane. Easily the most popular and talented at the time. By 1969, they just got too much. 2. Country Joe and the Fish. Since they only lasted a few years, they seem to be forgotten, or only remembered by “Feeling Like I’m Fixing to Die Rag”, which doesn’t reflect their true music. Their first album, Electric Music for Mind and Body was the ultimate stoner album of All-Time! Back then, if you walked into a party and heard that album, you knew you could smoke pot! 3. BigBrother&: A sloppy stoner band that is only remembered because they introduced Janis to the world. I saw one of their last performances November 1968, she was truly Awesome, they were LOUD. 4. Greatfull Dead: I’m unsure how many times I saw them; it seemed like they were in Seattle every order month. They’re only legendary because they didn’t break up and Garcia lived Much longer than his Dr.s predicted. Definitely 4th place
First and foremost, yes, my suggestions are informed by hindsight, I was too young to enjoy the era first hand. I was in diapers still. My list wasn’t supposed to be exhaustive but a starting point for people who want to explore the genre. I’m hopeful after listening to ‘Strange Days’ people will want to explore further.
Let me say also, thank you for sharing these wonderful experiences. I have a buddy who saw Big Bro and he said the same thing you did. I envy you seeing all those great shows. I really appreciate you sharing this stuff, it’s great!! I love rock n roll histories!
Thanks for your personal and rapid reply. I thought I’d share this…
It’s July 1969. I was 17, just graduated from high school and ready to enter college. My friends and I decided to go to the Seattle Pop Festival. OMG!!! Go check out one of the greatest Rock Festivals of all time!
Wow! What a weekend! The Flying Burrito Bros, the Byrds, Alice Cooper, Ike & Tina and so much more. What a Sunday night culmination with the Doors and Zeppelin! Reading about the conditions reminds me of the Ozark Music Festival in ’74 which was one of my first posts. Thank you for sharing this, I’d never heard of this festival. Oh what a time to be a young rock n roll fan!!
Hell Yes!!! I grew up in Seattle, class of 1969, and “Electric Music for Mind and Body” was by FAR the most psychedelic album of all time! Easily #1 on the stoner’s hit parade back when it was Really happening.
Dandelion does not appear on Their Satanic Majesties Request. It was a single. Still a great psychedelic album 👍
Argh, I always get that mixed up! Maybe I’m thinking of “She’s A Rainbow”?
Fixed it! Thank you!
Nuggets
Relics of the first psychedelic era
greatest hits album of some really great single records, Too much to dream last night etc
Thank you! I’ll seek it out, cheers!
Frank Zappa Apostrophe
Check it out.
Will do! I need all the guidance on Zappa’s catalog I can get, thank you!
apostrophe is excellent. But Hot Rats is the one. Top ten all time for me, and from 69, so right in the middle of your timeline. Don’t sleep on it.
I think Jimi getting to England
at the end of 66 made a lot of bands get Heavy in a hurry. Jeff Beck was already there but Jimi was Aces. Call it Psychedelic but really it just Heavy .
if you were on acid with lights flashing at the club ,that was psychedelic.
I don’t think Jimi’s impact can’t be over stated. Jeff Beck’s first album with Rod (as the Jeff Beck Group) he describes his music as “heavy” so clearly he’s thinking along the same lines you are! Damn I love Hendrix!
one East Coast psychedelic band you might try is Ultimate Spinach with the albums “Ultimate Spinach” and “Behold and See.” Also the Band “Joe Byrd and the Field Hippies” with the album , “The American Metaphysical Circus.” Finally don’t forget Pink Floyd’s “Umma Gumma.”
I haven’t heard of them, I’ll check it out! Thank you!
Anything by Daevid Allan and Gong, not to mention Steve Hillage.
Thank you! I have to admit I haven’t heard of them. I’ll check it out, cheers!
Check out Gongs “Camebert Electric” and Steve Hillage’s “Fish Rising” to start your day lol. Enjoy.The Pot Head Pixies will be happy to meet you.
Blues Magoo’s psychedelic lollipop:
we ain’t got nothing yet !
Jim aka Darque Blues
If you want to hear something similar to Pink Floyd’s Echoes check out MGMT’s Siberian Break!
The Airplane’s ‘After Bathing At Baxter’s’ is deeper psychedelia than Surrealistic Pillow described by band member Paul Kantner as “Pure LSD” My favorite album to trip to was ‘Tommy’ by The Who, if you’ve been there you know !! An album that took you on a journey.
I almost included ‘Bathing At Baxter.’ I probably should have. Thank you for sharing that about ‘Tommy.’ I imagine that would be quite a journey! I love it! Cheers!
all good bands that you mentioned,but not a single mention of Hawkwind,which is a band that’s been going since 1969 and still going today.
Joe, guilty as charged. I have to admit, I’ve heard of Hawkwind but I don’t think I’ve actually heard any Hawkwind. Where would a novice in this band start – which LP? Always good to discover something I haven’t heard before!
Spotify would be your best bet,and space ritual live is one of the best,and they hawkwind just released a new live album live at the royal Albert hall in 2023,also new studio album in April ish.they are not everyone’s cup of tea but give them a listen.
I’ll check it out! Thank you!
Traffic – Dear Mr. Fantasy is a great psychedelic album that’s guiding your vision of Heaven and Heaven is in your Mind.
I was so close to adding ‘Dear Mr. Fantasy’ but for reasons unclear I omitted it. But like I’ve said in other comments, my list was not meant to be exhaustive, just a jumping off point for folks wanting to explore the genre. So much great psychedelic rock, impossible to include it all! Cheers!
Allman Brotyers Band. Mountain Jam – 1970 Ludlow Garage.
Jerry Garcia Band!
Pink Floyd Obscured By Clouds
I agree with a lot of the commenters…Traffic, Dear Mr. Fantasy… oh yeah
Also, try Santana Moonflower
Thank you Andre29. I love “Mountain Jam.” I need to start exploring the Jerry Garcia Band but I’m pretty newly into the Dead (I know at my age I should have gotten into them much earlier) and I feel like Jerry’s solo stuff is master’s class level. ‘Obscured By Clouds’ is another great one. I almost included the Traffic… stupid that I didn’t. I’ve never heard Santana’s ‘Moonflower’ so I will definitely tee that one up! Thanks man! Cheers!
What about The Fugs?
Bill, I’ll have to admit to you, I don’t think I’ve ever heard the Fugs music. I’ve heard of them, but never listened. Any suggestions on which album I should start with? I appreciate the comment, hopefully turning me onto a new band! Cheers!
I love Frank Zappa , even so some of it is hard to listen to much less enjoy. Star with “Overnight Sensation’ it’s mostly comical! Parts of “Joe’s Garage ” are amazing, ‘Sleep Dirt” has an acoustic guitar duet I really like! “Jazz from Hell”, ‘Shut up and play your guitar’
“Them or Us” has a great cover of the Allman Brothers “Tied to the Whipping Post”
That’s always been my casual opinion of Zappa.. hard to listen to. Thanks for the suggestions on his catalog!