about
The psychedelic movement began in the mid 1960’s and had an effect, not just on music, but also on many aspects of popular culture. This included style of dress, language and the way people spoke, art, literature and philosophy.
The name “psychedelic” refers to drugs that were popular with the youth culture of the time. Posters for rock concerts tried to visually express the feeling of tripping out.
"The culture wars began in the sixties, about drugs, about military incursions into foreign countries, about sex and human rights, the environment and on and on, are still being fought. All the issues are correct, and they are rooted in the activism of the sixties. The values have not only survived - in many ways they are the mainstream values of our times."
Jann Wenner, founder of Rolling Stone Magazine
Background
The 1945 WW2 brought a post-war economic boom in the U.S. It brought about an enormous spike in the birth rate, known as "the baby boom". Between 1945 and 1957 almost 76 million babies were born in America. By the time the 60's came along these kids were young adults. As young people always and still do, these "baby boomers" questioned America's materialism and conservative cultural and political norms. During this time a youth movement emerged, seeking to create an egalitarian society free from discrimination. The feminist movement and the Black movement are a direct result of this evolution.Americans addressed many controversial issues from civil rights to the environment to drug use, sexual freedom, and nonconformity. Many of these "baby boomers" sought a spiritual experiences through Eastern Mysticism and psychedelic drugs.
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The Summer of Love
The peak year for psychedelic rock was 1967. It gave us Sgt. Pepper's by The Beatles, and debut albums by The Doors, The Grateful Dead, and the Monterey Pop Festival. Summer of Love was also when the counter-cultural phenomenon where almost 100,00 young people arrived in San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district to celebrate music, art, and life. It was the year where everyone tried to make a psychedelic rock record, from obscure underground bands to bubblegum pop groups.
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The Rolling Stones – Their Satanic Majesties Request
The Doors - The Doors
The Beatles - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band