To continue on with my rock timeline, I suppose the 1960’s should come next…

In the early 1960s, rock ‘n’ roll music was taken over by pop, beat, psychedelic, blues and folk rock music. This era was known as “The Golden Age Of Rock.” 

During 1955-1975,  the Vietnam War had devastated Americans everywhere, which started an era called “Flower Power’.This was a slogan used in the late 60s to early 70s to describe hippies just wanting peace and artists singing about how hateful they had seen this world become. 

Rock music became a voice for the people who were frustrated with the culture and the actions people were making. There was no way to stop the rock culture for starting a “revolution.”

These few bands I am about to discuss were bands who wanted a “safe environment” to speak about political views and other rebellious actions with songs that were upbeat and happy. 

Around 1965, psychedelic rock became popular, songwriters and bands would use psychedelic drugs while composing a song. This decade was named the psychedelic era. Which gave future bands a tough time to top their music.The music videos for the songs would be very colorful and full of exciting lyrics. Every single one of these bands I am going to mention had their own experience of psychedelic rock. 

In my previous article I wrote about The Beatles and their sudden invasion, but later in the 60s they became beloved with their little mix of controversy of the Vietnam war. John Lennon was not afraid of the consequences, andthis resulted in his assassination in 1980. Many rumors about The Beatles started to circle around, but that is a story for another time… 

The Beatles: “Strawberry Fields Forever”

Now everyone in the world has to know The Rolling Stones, which formed in 1962 with front-man Mick Jagger. They’re the only band that is still active from the others that I’ve mentioned! You see Rolling Stones t-shirts everywhere, and their song “ Satisfaction,” among others, is a classic rock song.  

The Rolling Stones Video: “Bittersweet Symphony”

The Doors formed in 1965 and had their own twist on music. Jim Morrison had an angelic or devilish voice that he could switch in many of his songs. The band took their name from Aldous Huxley’s book The Doors of Perception, and the meaning of it is from a line of William Blake’s poem “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell”: “If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is: infinite.” Lead singer Jim Morrison passed on July 3, 1971 due to an apparent heart attack. 

 “I’d like to do a song or a piece of music that’s just a pure expression of joy. Pure like a celebration of existence, you know?

And like the coming of spring, like a sun rising. Just pure unbounded joy. I don’t think we’ve really done that yet.”

Jim Morrison

The Doors Video: “End of the Night”

Pink Floyd was an English rock band, formed in London in 1965. They gained a big following after their twist of psychedelic music. They had an intense music and lyric style. They had a philosophical meaning in every one of their songs.Their music was even the focus of the 1982 film “The Wall.” Tragically Syd Barret died of pancreatic cancer on July 7, 2006.  

Pink Floyd Video: “Goodbye Cruel World”

Grateful Dead was formed in 1965, they had many different styles of music, such as bluegrass, jam, psychedelic rock.They had bright colors and creative album artwork.They were very capable of creating adoring harmony vocal work. Just recently we lost the lyrical genius named Robert Hunter, at the age of 78.

Grateful Dead Video: “China Cat Sunflower” 

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was an American-English rock band that formed in 1966. Hendrix was the singer, songwriter, and guitarist. If you were to ask others about who the greatest guitarist is, they would definitely say Hendrix. Tragically, Hendrix died at the age of 27 due to an apparent overdose.   

 Hendrix Video: ” Star Spangled Banner” 

Led Zeppelin held the key for the shocking rise of fame. Several musicians joked that they would “go down like a balloon.” Not long after this comment, they sky rocketed to fame. 300 million records sold worldwide,but a fact about them they never got the chance to snag a spot on the #1 charts. Unlike The Beatles, Led Zeppelin didn’t like to be in the media very much. 

Led Zeppelin Video: “Ramble On”

Besides all of the drugs,anger, and rebellious actions that went on during this time.These bands mentioned gave everyone peace, love, and positivity back in this cruel time.