Artist and Musician Biographies

INTRODUCTION: 1960'S ROCK II

Because of the limitations of the technology we are using, we have divided 1960's rock into two units, Unit 8, and Unit 9, where you are now. This is a continuation of the introduction in Unit 8. For clarity, we repeat some of that introductory material.

Rock music in the 1960's was as rich in its variety as it was important in its impact on contemporary society. The big question with 1960's rock is where to start. Following the pattern established years ago with the campus version of the course, which may or may not have some logic to it, we divide the material into the following types:

5. The British Invasion

The British Invasion occurred in the mid-1960s, when a number of English rock bands invaded the American market after the breakthrough success of the Beatles. They included the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Herman's Hermits, the Who and the Zombies.

6. Psychedelic Rock (or Acid Rock)

The Psychedelic/Acid Rock emerged in the mid-1960's, as a number of American bands centered around San Francisco began to develop drug inspired free-form, sometimes improvisational song structures, often incorporating elements of world music and free-form jazz in their work, as well as experimenting by altering the sound of their instruments and voices. Among the psychedelic groups were the Grateful Dead, the Doors, Love, Jefferson Airplane, Vanilla Fudge, Moby Grape, and bands led by Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix.