Timothy Leary

Radical Hippie or Genius?

Timothy Leary was a Harvard professor, dismissed after giving LSD to his students. He was one of the most controversial figure in the 60s and 70s because he encouraged the use of psychedelic drugs to reach new realms of consciousness. He coined the phrase "Turn On. Tune In. Drop Out." which became a the motto for counterculture for the 60s.


And so the hippie generation began...
He was the catalyst of the social revolution. His message was simple: don't listen to the institutions rules. He was seen as a true radical. Richard Nixon once referred to him as "the most dangerous man in America."

His advocacy to experiment with psychedelic drugs led to a profound effect on music culture. Artists were influenced to recreate the LSD experience through their music and lyrics.


Here are the top 5 classic songs influenced by psychedelic culture Leary produced:

1. The Beatles- Tomorrow Never Knows
2. Moody Blues- Legend of a Mind
3. Jefferson Pillow- White Rabbit
4. Procol Harem- A Whiter Shade of Pale
5. Small Faces- Itchycoo Park

Try listening to Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti "Bright Lit Skies" for a contemporary sound of psychedelic music.


Click the play button on the right side of the screen to play these songs!