Music of the Counterculture

Key Figures The Beatles The Mamas & The Papas Jimi Hendrix Experience The Beach Boys Bob Dylan

The first commercial analog synthesizer, developed and released by Dr. Robert Moog in the early 1950s Revolutionized music production forever First took off through electronic renditions of classical music Pioneers like Pink Floyd, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Doors started using the synthesizer as an individual instrument. Invention of the Moog Synthesizer

The Folk Music Revival -Folk Music revival was a phenomenon in the United States in the 1950s to mid-1960s. -The revival brought forward musical styles that had, in earlier times, contributed to the development of country & western, jazz, and rock and roll music. - The civil rights movement converged with and helped shape the decade's folk music. key figures: - Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, poet, and painter. A number of his earlier songs such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'" became anthems for the US civil rightsand anti-war movements. His early lyrics incorporated a variety of political, social and philosophical, as well as literary influences. They defied existing pop music conventions and appealed hugely to the then burgeoning counterculture. - Joan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter and activist. She performed three of the songs at the 1969 Woodstock Festival, helped to bring the songs of Bob Dylan to national prominence, and has displayed a lifelong commitment to political and social activism in the fields of nonviolence, civil rights, human rights and the environment

Motown In the Detroit area, Berry Gordy started and managed Motown Records. The company was instrumental in helping bring African Americans into the mainstream music scene as the Civil Rights Movement happened concurrently. Motown Records itself developed a unique style of music that was based on a synthesis of soul (R&B and gospel music) and pop. Diana Ross and the Supremes The Jackson 5 Marvin Gaye

Drugs Drug use was popular at this time as a creativity enhancer and was not regarded as taboo. Drug culture was embraced by the masses and by the acts that produced them. The high energy and creativity of music at this time can in some ways be attributed to the growing drug culture.

Held from August 15-18, 1968 exemplified the counterculture of the 1960s (Hippie era) Venue could hold maximum of 200,000 attendees, but 500,000 attendees showed Big acts: The Who and Jimi Hendrix Sang somewhat controversial music (remix of the Star Spangled Banner with message pertaining to Vietnam War) Psychedelic Rock (influenced by the experiences of drug use)

Demographics of the Movement Most 60’s musicians (and their audiences) were young adults. For example; Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and the members of Creedence Clearwater Revival were all under the age of 30 during the 1960’s. The members of this counterculture were racially diverse as well. Jimi Hendrix was of a Native American and African American background, other African Americans were particularly active in Motown. Bands such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were from Britain Most of the musicians of the 60’s and their fans did not come from an affluent background, though they could have been anywhere in between the middle class and the working class. “Druggies” were often attracted to artists who used drugs as well and portrayed their experiences in psychedelic rock.

Short Term Ramifications Music began to be used as uniting anthems for the movement against the Vietnam War and the powers that the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution gave to LBJ. Encouraged a youth rebellion that emphasized living one’s life to the fullest and attempting to explore and experiment with little (or no) restraint.

Far-Reaching Ramifications It is obvious that all music today, in some way, built off the music from the 60s. All electronic music has been built off variations from the original analog Moog designs. Even modern rap has its roots in the beat poetry of the late 60s-early 70s. Drug use is still fairly common among musicians and other creative artists. And above all else, people still listen to the music of the 60s because it really was great.