Progressive Rock Radio A radio format characterized by the playing of an eclectic mix of
music, particularly long, noncommercial album cuts, usually accompanied by low key, spaced-
out DJ conversation. Birthplace: San Francisco. DJ Tom Donahue took over the evening shift and
he began playing an eclectic mix of blues, R&B, Beatles and comedy, interspersed with his low
priced and slow paced conversation. He is known as the "Father of Free Form".
Acid Rock An umbrella term, usually associated with the music of the San Francisco Bay Area
in the 1960's, that encompasses a wide variety of stylistic approaches, often with free form
improvisations and heavy influences from the blues and folk music. This term describes the San
Francisco style. It is usually in association with the drug culture (especially LSD). The music is
often socially relevant, critical of the establishment, and extolling the virtues of altered states of
consciousness and free love.
San Francisco Acid Rock Performers/Bands (7) 1. Jefferson Airplane
2. Grateful Dead
3. Big Brother and the Holding Company/Janis Joplin
4. Charlatans
5. Quicksilver Messenger Service
6. Country Joe and the Fish
7. Santana
Jefferson Airplane In 1965 they signed a contract with RCA becoming the first area acid rock
band to secure a major label deal. When their first album is Jefferson Airplane Takes Off was
about to be released in August of 1966, Anderson quit to take care of her baby and Spence
departed to form the group Moby Grape. Spencer Dylan replaced Spence and Grace Slick
replaced Anderson. Slick brought a more powerful voice to the gourd and 2 songs "White
Rabbit" (inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland) and "Somebody to Love". Both of
these songs were included on their album Surrealistic Pillow.
,Grace Slick The lead(?) singer of Jefferson Airplane. She was Anderson's replacement after
Anderson left to take care of her newborn baby. Slick brought a more powerful voice to the
group and 2 key songs from the Great Society's repertoire- "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to
Love".
Jefferson Airplane Members (5) 1. Paul Kanter
2. Jorma Kaukonen
3. Grace Slick
4. Spencer Dryden
5. Jack Casady
Music Cut #31: "White Rabbit" (Grace Slick)-Jefferson Airplane Grace Slick-vocals
Paul Kanter-guitar
Jorma Kaukonen-lead guitar
Jack Casady- bass
Spencer Dryden-drums
Recorded on November 3, 1966 at RCA Victor's Music Center of the Wold, Hollywood CA
Produced by Rick Jarrard
Released June 24, 1967 on RCA
10 weeks on the charts peaking at #8
Inspired by Alice and Wonderland and reminds its audience to feed their heads. Also it is on the
album Surrealistic Pillow
The Grateful Dead The (more or less) defining sound of acid rock and the heart and soul of
the San Francisco music scene in the late 1960's. They will be remembered as the quintessential
communal-hippie-triping-acid rock band. They cultivated the most die-hard following in history
(Deadheads). Jerry Garcia and the beginnings of the band date back to 1961. In 1965 Garcia and
co decided to go electric. Heavily influencing their decision were the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan,
and LSD. They created a new band called the Warlocks. In November they learned of another
, band who coined the same name (this band later became ZZ Top) and they changed it back to
their original name. They played at the famous acid tests held by Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters.
In September of 1966 they moved into The Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. In 1970 the group
responded to their dire financial situation by releasing 2 of their finest albums, Workingman's
Dead and American Beauty. In 1973 the Dead revealed the Wall of Sound, an innovative sound
reinforcement system that consisted of 604 speakers and 26,400 watts of power. Designed and
built by Owsley Stanley and Dan Healy. This is the largest portable sound system ever built.
The Grateful Dead Members (6) 1. Jerry Garcia
2. Mickey Hart
3. Ron "Pigpen" McKernan
4. Bob Weir
5. Phil Lesh
6. Bill Kreutzman
Big Brother and the Holding Company In 1965 this group emerged out of Wednesday night
jam session that the Family Dog member Chet Helms was running out of the basement in the
Haight-Ashbury. By early 1966 the group was in need of a strong vocalist. Helms recommended
a Texas blues singer-Janis Joplin. She developed a singing style that was inspired by blues
singers Bessie Smith and Big Mama Thornton that was rough edged, gritty, and raw. Joplin
revitalized the band. While they performed at Monterey, she stole the show and the band was
rewarded a contract from Columbia Records. Here they released the album Cheap Trills (cover
was designed by cartoonist R. Crumb). After months of being told she was better than the rest
of the band, she left Big Brother at the end of 1968 to pursue a solo career. By this time she had
also began drinking heavily and using heroin.
Big Brother and the Holding Company Members (5) 1. Sam Andrews
2. Jim Gurley
3. Peter Albin
4. Dave Getz
5. Janis Joplin