The Discovery of LSD The Discovery of LSD The Discovery of LSD The Discovery of LSD

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The Discovery of LSDThe Discovery of LSDAcronym is from the German,LysergSaure-Diethylamid.Properties discovered in 1938 but recreational usage occurred during 1960sImpact on society:

FashionMusicArt

First isolated from the dark purplish sclerotiumsclerotium, or , or ergotergot of the fungus Claviceps purpurea.

The Discovery of LSDThe Discovery of LSD

Ergot (=Sclerotium)Ergot (=Sclerotium)

Albert Hofmann, chemist, SandozLaboratories, in Basel, Switzerland.


Albert Hofmann isolated lysergic acid and synthesized LSD-25 from it.

Hofmann first experienced LSD in 1943 through inadvertent contact. A “pleasant experience”.A few days later Hofmann tried it again!


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Came about inadvertently:OSS and later CIA looking for truth inducing compound for interrogation purpose.

LSD RevolutionLSD RevolutionLSD Revolution

Settled on LSD as most promising candidate and experimentedFunded secret research at various universities.

Gordon Wasson in “magic” mushroom ceremony. From LIFE magazine article, 1957.


Timothy Leary and Gordon Wasson, the former influenced Leary’s interest in psychedelics.

LSD RevolutionLSD RevolutionLSD RevolutionCame about inadvertently:

Included Harvard University where Timothy Leary and Richard Albert were on faculty.


Richard Albert became Ram Dass in 1967

Both dismissed from Harvard in 1963.

Came about inadvertently:

Timothy Leary and Richard Albert in 1963

LSD RevolutionLSD RevolutionLSD RevolutionCame about inadvertently:

Leary and Albert continued to promote LSD usage.


Set up Castalia Institute to continue his studies.

Founded League of Spiritual Discovery to legalize LSD.

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Came about inadvertently:Leary and Albert continued to promote LSD usage.


Went on tour as LSD advocate.

“Turn on, Tune in, Drop out.” Leary (1967), in San Francisco.

Despite Leary’s influence, did not have impact on music

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on MusicTrace LSD impact on music, specifically psychedelic music, to Ken Kesey.An Olympic caliber wrestler.Awarded fellowship in creative writing to attend Stanford.

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on MusicBecame volunteer for drug testing experiment in Menlo Park (CIA operation).Led to exposure to various psychedelic drugs.Inspiration for his most well known writing, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”.

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on MusicKesey started his own experiments with mind altering drugs, i.e. LSD.The Acid Test: Party where people went to take acid, sometimes without their knowledge.Began the psychedelic movement and hippies of the 1960’s.

Ken Kesey: Author and LSD advocate, originated “Acid Test”

Hippie? What’s That?Hippie? What’s That?Hippies: Youth movement (15-25) of the counterculture, during the 1960’s and 70’s.Rebelled against authority and morals of the time:

Rejected “establishment”Anti-war, i.e. VietnamChampioned sexual liberationPromoted psychedelic drugs.

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Hippies? What’s That?Hippies? What’s That?Led to many changes in society.

Hippies? What’s That?Hippies? What’s That?Changes in other genre of music, i.e. folk.

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on MusicDuring these acid test parties, a “house band” called the Warlocks provided the music.They would later changed their names to The Grateful Dead.Meanwhile, at the same time, in Virginia City, Nevada, in the Red Dog Saloon, “acid parties” were also going on. The Grateful Dead, one of the first

psychedelic rock groups.

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on MusicChandler Laughlin and friends created “The Red Dog Experience” with then unknown musical acts:

Jefferson AirplaneBig Brother and the Holding Company (featuring Janis Joplin).The CharlatanQuicksilver Messenger ServiceAnd many more

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on MusicOwsley Stanley, chemist, provided LSD.It was at this time that:

First light shows used during music.Experimentation with LSD.The Charlatan became the first band to play loaded with LSD.

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Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on MusicPsychedelic music or “Acid Rock” originated independently in at least two places at same time.Kesey and Laughlin eventually got together for bigger concerts in San Francisco:

Longshoreman’s HallAvalon BallroomFillmore Auditorium

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on Music“San Francisco Groups”

Following closely behind the Grateful Dead was the Jefferson Airplanes.

First album, Surrealistic Pillow included White RabbitWhite Rabbit, A drug induced version of Alice in Wonderland?

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on Music Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on Music“San Francisco Groups”

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on MusicAcid rock would eventually spread throughout the western world.Groups beyond San Francisco began using LSD and composing and playing Acid Rock:

The DoorsJimi HendrixBeatles and other pop groups

The DoorsThe Doors.How The Doors The Doors got their name. Ray Manzarek :From AldousHuxley’s Doors Doors of Perceptionof Perception:Morrison story by John Densmore:

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on Music

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Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on MusicJimi Hendrix

If you made a list, one of the top psychedelic groups would have to include CreamCream.

Ginger BakerGinger BakerEric Eric ClaptonClapton Jack BruceJack Bruce


Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on Music“Pop” to Acid Rock“Come together” written by John Lennon for Timothy Leary.

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on Music“Pop” to Acid Rock

Did LSD really help?.

Warlocks (Grateful Dead) played during acid test. Jerry Garcia:

Dennis McNally (biographer of Grateful Dead:

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on MusicMost did not agree with Jerry Garcia concerning LSD and performing and writing music.

Donovan’s opinion:Impact on rock music?

Very simplistic in theme

David Quanta, narrator of “History of Psychedelia”


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LSD encouraged experimentation to music once very limited in its scope:

Country Joe (McDonald) and The FishPaul Kantor of Jefferson AirplaneDonovanChris Dreja of The Yardbirds

Impact of LSD on MusicImpact of LSD on MusicNot everyone achieved desirable state when taking LSD.

Pink FloydJoe Boyd, producer for Pink Floyd, on Syd Barrett:Roger Walters, member of Pink Floyd, on Syd Barrett:

Similarly, Roky Erickson of The 13th

Floor Elevator, suffered from schizophrenia resulting from LSD.


Transition to PsychedelicTransition to PsychedelicTransition to psychedelia obvious in some rock bands, e.g. The Beatles.

Abrupt transition came in RevolverRevolveralbumalbum.

“Turn off your mind and float down stream”“The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead” –Timothy Leary

Last cut, Tomorrow Never Knows

Transition to PsychedelicTransition to Psychedelic

Album followed by release of singles: Strawberry Fields Forever.Later followed by Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Included the controversial Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

Interpretation incorrect. Paul McCartney:

Transition to PsychedelicTransition to Psychedelic End of 60’s PsychedeliaEnd of 60’s PsychedeliaAs the 60’s came to an end, many musicians were turning away from LSD.

The Beatles, Beach Boys, Donovan, and Bob Dylan all became disciples of the Marahishi.

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The end of 60’s psychedelia:

According to Dennis McNally:

According to Joe Boyd:

End of 60’s PsychedeliaEnd of 60’s Psychedelia Impact on FashionImpact on FashionPart of hippie rebellion was own identity, which included their own fashion.San Francisco Fox Theater closed. Hippies bought up costumes.Other clothing from second hand stores.Native American and other ethnic clothing.

Impact on FashionImpact on FashionPrior to this time, no fashion for young people.One fashion fits all.Some change in 1950’s

Impact on FashionImpact on Fashion1950’s to early 60’s fashion

Impact on FashionImpact on FashionFashion of 1960’s.

Impact on FashionImpact on FashionFashion of 1960’s.

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Impact on FashionImpact on FashionEventually became absorbed into mainstream fashion.

Art

Psychedelic ArtPsychedelic ArtWith psychedelic music came psychedelic art.

First art were the posters advertising the concerts:

More posters:

Psychedelic ArtPsychedelic Art

More posters:

Psychedelic ArtPsychedelic ArtWith psychedelic music came psychedelic art.

Record album covers soon followed:


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With psychedelic music came psychedelic art.

More album covers:

Psychedelic ArtPsychedelic ArtEventually becoming an art form of its own:


Documents

The Discovery of LSD The Discovery of LSD The Discovery of LSD The Discovery of LSD