A definitive, but light-hearted look at the world of mid to late-Sixties psychedelia. Exploring the world changing counter-culture on both sides of the Atlantic via music, art, mind-bending band names and an impressive rogues gallery. Paying homage to legends such as Hendrix and Pink Floyd whilst celebrating lesser-known artists like Linda Perhacs. Some wonderful stories too - George Clinton’s hair-straightening job, The Beatles’ chauffeur on backing vocals and what Brian Wilson and his brothers did when their mum and dad went on holiday. Researched and presented by BBC 6 Music’s Marc Riley and music journalist Rob Hughes. Adult themes and drugs references mentioned throughout.
Full length introductory episode to welcome you to the box set. Marc and Rob set out their stall discussing the main themes and players & their flexible approach to the alphabet!
Did you know the Rolling Stones took a witch on tour with them? How drugs affected the 13th Floor Elevators' Roky Erickson and the treatment he had to endure? It's all in here.
When Syd met Gilmore, what is the definition of psycedelia, the truth about the Byrds song Eight Miles High and how a gift of a banjo aged 13, influenced the young Tim Buckley.
The Chocolate Watchband support Frank Zappa but don't support The Grateful Dead or Jefferson Airplane - disaster. The Creation play an electric guitar with a violin bow - unique.
Was Jim Morrison's dad responsible for the escalation of the Vietnam War? Was there tension between Donovan and Bob Dylan? - see Donovan's song Hey Mr Tangerine Eyes.
Which band were given their first break by an estate agent and played the definitive Psych song? Eddie Kramer helps the beatles and the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix - legend.
Non violent demonstrations and the flower power symbol linked to HG Well's Time Machine - wow. There's an in-depth look at The Fool a Dutch Design company working for The Beatles.
Advice for Jerry Garcia's parents, while a middle finger goes missing. Bill Graham is discussed, the greatest rock promoter ever. Plus Grace Slick's lift off moment - pun intended
A plot-less film called Head as the Monkees go slapstick, Beatniks are explained, discussed and dissected and band posters come into their own under Hapshash and the Coloured Coat
In The Park becomes a tribute to Brian Jones and why were Marc's wife's grandparents there. Jeff Lynn and Roy Wood a match made in heaven and Marianne Faithfull's botty on show?
The only band to play at Woodstock, Monterey and Altamont - Jefferson Airplane. Marc Bolan leaves John's Children after 4 months to join Tyrannosaurus Rex & Kevin Ayres in Malaya
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - the stories behind this iconic title. The Leaves take over The Byrds' residency at Ciro's on sunset Boulevard and the real Pat Boone steps forward.
Moby Grape launches first album at The Avalon Ballroom - they had their own wine made - but nobody brought a corkscrew - oops and somebody skips recordings by The Move - naughty.
Facts - The Beatles's Magical Mystery Tour reaches only number 2 in the UK charts, John Peel champions The Misunderstood and The Moody Blues perform their first gig in 1964.
Michelle Phillips is served with a writ to leave the Mamas and The Papas, Mama Cass is involved in blanketgate & Magic Alex promises The Beatles x ray cameras and invisible paint.
Todmorden is revealed as the rock capitol of the north, The Nice recruit Lemmy as a roadie and Floyd's Nick Mason owns a helicopter and completes the Le Mans classic car race.
Does Randy Holden save the day for The Yardbirds? Did he really leave The Other Half because he didn't like his guitar? And what band used to be called The Six Sided Rockets? Enc.
Where did Syd Barrett get the name Pink Floyd from? Which Procol Harum track sold over 10 Million copies? And Linda Perhacs releases Parallelograms.
George Clinton straightens hair for a living but goes onto produce cosmic funk operas. Janis Joplin has a sad decline but The Pink Fairies are on the up and up.
It's all kicking off in Vietnam and the Civil Right's Movement is centre stage. The Purple Gang's singer was a disciple of occultist Aleistar Crowley, John Peel was a huge fan.
Virgos and Geminis are all ruled by the planet Mercury - a good way to name a band? The Rolling Stones take inspiration from African culture and Rocky Erickson's hair cut protest.
Marc's Uncle Chris played the Sgt Pepper album to him when he was 6 so The Beatles were the first band he ever got into, Rob's first was I'm a Tiger by Lulu - enough said.
Can Marc and Rob solve the mystery of Sky Saxon's birth date? Did you know The Seeds coined the phrase Flower Power? Plus Strawberry Alarm Clock on tour with The Beach boys.
Skip Spence's life is dissected as is his album Oar, learn more than you've ever forgotten about legendary studio Abbey Road and hear Marc's Abbey Road anecdotes - tempting.
The Small Faces and their singer Steve Marriott profiled in this episode. Steve was a huge Buddy Holly fan, a prankster and played in the stage play Oliver, much more inside.
Giggles galore as Marc and Rob discover The Smoke were managed by The Krays. Strawberry Fields is put under the microscope and Ravi Shankar too small to dance? - discuss.
Some great names in this Acid Rock episode - Mars Bonfire, Goldy McJohn, Hoyt Axton and Rushton Moreve download to check for other humdingers. Spirit play with Led Zeppelin - wow.
Soft Machine's first single was produced by Chaz Chandler, Jimi Hendrix was very shy and polite, extremely courteous to a Victorian extreme.
T. Rex go from making rock to baroque in a musical career change. The film The Trip, staring Peter Fonda, happily confuses Marc and Rob as to its location.
Marc calls Traffic's Steve Winwood a genius Rob calls him something all together different. While still as school Steve supported the likes of Muddy Waters, BB King & Chuck Berry
