Ken Kesey - The Acid Test (1966)

"One Way Ticket (A Classic)" by Ken Kesey & The Merry Pranksters

"At last Kesey returns with the last to be rescued, Mary Microgram, looking like a countryside after a long and fierce war, and Kesey says let's haul ass out of here." -- excerpt from Tom Wolfe's The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.

Before Denise Kaufman was an Ace of Cup, she was Merry Prankster Mary Microgram read above having survived a Beatles concert.  The Merry Pranksters were not a musical group but were rather a mix of post-Beat and proto-hippie disciples, followers, hangers-on of author Ken Kesey, a best-selling author who had turned his back on the literary world to spread the gospel of the casual use of mind-expanding drugs (mostly LSD) and, more generally, a greater freedom.  After a criss-cross of the United States by The Merry Pranksters in the DayGlo painted school bus Furthur, the Pranksters put on happenings known as Acid Tests where communal drug-taking was supplemented with light shows, live music, film projections and any other component of a multimedia event.

The Merry Pranksters were self-sufficient amateurs.  They were their own mechanics, sound engineers, event organizers, publicists, publishers, printers, artists, navigators, musicians, circus performers, drug-takers, trip guides, nurses, fugitives, cinematographers, zealots, drivers, recruiters and doom spellers.  Their amateurism was the point (Kesey referred to himself as the "non-navigator") and their naivete had a regional influence on art, music, film, sexual mores, drug taking and concert-going of the late-sixties and a national influence on the greater story of 60s America.  Kesey released The Acid Test in 1966 on the single-use Sound City label.  The (non-)record chronicles The Sound City Acid Test and the kind of atmospheric sound collages, feedback, "music", monologues and raps that would characterize a Prankster event as the collective pursued the ultimate LSD experience.

Here is Ken Kesey (and The Merry Pranksters's) discography:

The Acid Test

The Acid Test Reels (compilation album)

"Telstar Sound Collage" by The Merry Pranksters

Acid Test Graduation Ceremony 1966

Ken Kesey & Mountain Girl Interview

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Jefferson Airplane - Jefferson Airplane Takes Off (1966)

"Let Me In" by Jefferson Airplane

Jorma Kaukonen's nickname "Blind Thomas Jefferson Airplane" (which sounds more like a short-lived inside joke) was given to him by a friend after one of his influences Blind Lemon Jefferson.  Jorma proposed the shortened Jefferson Airplane as a silly idea for a band name which then seriously became the band's name.

When the band released their debut album Jefferson Airplane Takes Off (in 1966 on the RCA Victor label), they were a tight musical group with folk-inspired harmonies and a killer bass player in Jack Casady. The band's songwriting wasn't yet a match for their musical talent and the album came too early in LP history to highlight their exciting, extended jam sessions.

Included in this entry is Marty Balin's first folk group, The Town Criers.

Here is the discography surrounding Jefferson Airplane's debut album:

Live in San Francisco (1964 live recording by The Town Criers)

It's No Secret (1966 single)

Come Up the Years (1966 single)

Bringing Me Down (1966 single)

Jefferson Airplane Take Off

Signe's Farewell (1966 live album)

"It's No Secret" by Jefferson Airplane

"And I Like It (alternate version)" by Jefferson Airplane

"900 Miles" by The Town Criers

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The Who - A Quick One (1966)

"A Quick One, While He's Away" by The Who


John's Children had a paucity of talent and their manager knew it.  Instead of pressing for the improvement of the band's technical chops (he saw their lack of talent as part of their attraction), he focused on improving the songwriting (the addition of Marc Bolan) and encouraging the band members' stage antics.  Even the release of the faux-live album whose release was banned/delayed because of its name had the texture of an outrageous publicity stunt rather than a bothered-about album release.

The band's stage antics were like The Who's own, so it was a natural fit for them to tour Germany together with John's Children opening.  But the match didn't work out because the Children were just too "loud and violent" according to Townshend.  They upstaged The Who with their theatrics and destruction and one time caused a riot before the headliners even took the stage.  John's Children were good at something, if not music.  The band was fired mid-tour. (Note: The drummer, Chris Townson, was probably the most skilled member of the band (outside of late-joiner Bolan) and was asked by The Who to sub for an injured Keith Moon.)

The Who (previously visited) released their second album A Quick One in 1966 on Polydor Records.  They released an American version of the album re-titled Happy Jack in 1967 on Decca records with a slightly different track listing.

Here is the discography surrounding The Who's second album:

Ready Steady Who (1966 EP)
Happy Jack (1966 single)
A Quick One
Pictures of Lily (1967 single)
Whiskey Man (1967 single)
Happy Jack (1967 American album)

"Cobwebs and Strange" by The Who


Pete Townshend Talks About A Quick One


The Who Live July 9, 1966 at Westminster Technical College


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The Daily Flash - I Flash Daily (1984)

"Jack of Diamonds" by The Daily Flash


When Buffalo Springfield went to the Monterey Pop Festival, Neil Young was unable to attend and was replaced for the performance by Doug Hastings.  Doug Hastings was first a member of The Daily Flash, a folk/psych rock outfit.  The Daily Flash never released an album but gained respect in the live scenes of Seattle and LA.  A compilation of their recordings I Flash Daily came out in 1984.

Here is the complete discography for The Daily Flash:

Queen Jane Approximately (1966 single)
The French Girl (1967 single)
I Flash Daily
Jack of Diamonds (1996 compilation EP)
Timemazine CD Compilation #2 (2007 compilation song)

"The French Girl" by The Daily Flash


"Green Rocky Road" by The Daily Flash


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Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds - Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (1966)

"Reelin' and Rockin'" by Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds


Peter Solley produced The Romantics's debut album but started his recording career as a keyboard player in Chris Farlowe's backing band The Thunderbirds.  They released their debut album Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds in 1966.

Here is the discography surrounding Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds's debut album:

Air Travel (1962 single as Chris Farlowe)
I Remember (1963 single)
Blue Beat (1964 single as The Beazers)
Girl Trouble (1964 single)
Just a Dream (1964 single as Chris Farlowe)
Buzz With the Fuzz (1965 single)
Stormy Monday Blues (1965 single as Little Joe Cook)
The Fool (1965 single as Chris Farlowe)
Air Travel (1965 EP as Chris Farlowe)
Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds

"Stormy Monday Blues" by by Little Joe Cook


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Blues Magoos - Psychedelic Lollipop (1966)

"She's Coming Home" by Blues Magoos


13th Floor Elevators was one of three bands to release albums in November 1966 that featured the word "psychedelic" in their titles.  New York garage rockers Blues Magoos were one of them with the release of their debut album Psychedelic Lollipop in 1966.

Here is the discography surrounding Blues Magoos's debut album:

The Syracuse (1962 single as Felix & The Escorts)
So I'm Wrong and You Are Right (1966 single)
Psychedelic Lollipop
(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet (1966 single)
Tobacco Road (1966 single)

"Tobacco Road" by Blues Magoos


"Queen of My Nights" by Blues Magoos


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13th Floor Elevators - The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (1966)

"Reverberation (Doubt)" by 13th Floor Elevators


Before moving to San Francisco to join Big Brother & The Holding Company, Janis Joplin considered joining the Austin psychedelic garage pioneers 13th Floor Elevators.  13th Floor Elevators released their debut album The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators in 1966.

Here is the discography surrounding 13th Floor Elevators's debut album:

We Sell Soul (1965 single as The Spades)
You're Gonna Miss Me (1966 single)
The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators
Reverberation (Doubt) (1966 single)

"You're Gonna Miss Me" by 13th Floor Elevators


"Fire Engine" by 13th Floor Elevators


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Small Faces - Small Faces (1966)

"E Too D" by Small Faces


Guitarist Ian Samwell helped write Cliff Richard's debut single classic "Move It", but he was edged out of The Drifters in favor of Hank Marvin and Jet Harris.  He'd continue to make a career as a songwriter and eventually producer and he'd do both for London rock band Small Faces, writing their first hit song "Whatcha Gonna Do About It" and producing their eponymous debut album for Decca Records.

Small Faces formed when former child actor Steve Marriott (guitar, vocals) met Ronnie Lane (bass) in a Music Bar in London in 1965.  Influenced by American Rhythm and Blues and Soul, they recruited drummer Kenney Jones and keyboardist Jimmy Winston to round out the foursome as a proper rock and roll group.  They played the London scene and quickly became one of the most popular and successful local live acts.  For reference, the band's name came from the slang for memorable, cool bloke (a "Face") and the fact that all of the band members were short.

Signed on the power of Marriott's stage presence to Decca Records, their debut single "Whatcha Gonna Do About It" topped the British charts thanks in part to "chart fixing" on the part of their manager.  Their third single would prove their next hit as "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" also made it to the top.  Winston was dismissed from the band for either not being a skilled enough musician or trying to compete with Marriott for superiority in the band.  He did manage to play on a couple of the songs on their 1966 debut album Small Faces, though, but didn't make the cover.  His Small Face was replaced by Ian McLagen's.  The album performed admirably as did the single "All or Nothing" and the only thing that kept them from a US Tour victory lap were drug charges.

Despite all the success, they saw nearly none of the money.  This led to conflict with their manager and Decca and a rough cut in the relationship from both.  Small Faces moved to another label and Decca continued to release old new material after the separation including a handful of throwaway singles and another "studio" album of unfinished outtakes dismissed from previous recording sessions.

Here is the discography surrounding Small Faces's debut album

Whatcha Gonna Do About It (1965 single)
BBC Session August 1965 (1965 BBC Session)
I've Got Mine (1965 single)
Sha-La-La-La-Lee (1966 single)
BBC Session March 1966 (1996 BBC Session)
BBC Session May 1966 (1966 BBC Session)
Small Faces
Hey Girl (1966 single)
All or Nothing (1966 single)
BBC Session August 1966 (1966 BBC Session)
Beat Club '66 (1966 live bootleg)
My Mind's Eye (1966 single)
I Can't Make It (1967 single)
Patterns (1967 single)
From the Beginning (1967 compilation album)

"Hey Girl", "All or Nothing", "Whatcha Gonna Do About It", and "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" by Small Faces on Beat, Beat, Beat


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Tim Buckley - Tim Buckley (1966)

"Strange Street Affair Under Blue" by Tim Buckley


Buckley started his music career in California.  He had two high school bands: The Bohemians that performed popular hits and eventually originals, and The Harlequin 3 that performed folk music incorporated with spoken word and beat poetry.  He also performed solo through Orange County coffeehouses and at The Troubadour enough to be pegged as a rising star along with songwriting contemporaries Steve Noonan and Jackson Browne.  After being turned on to him by Mothers of Invention drummer Jimmy Carl Black, Holzman signed Buckley to Elektra Records.  Tim signed without his fellow Bohemians but many of them, including his lyricist Larry Beckett and his bassist Jim Fielder, would continue to collaborate with him throughout his career.  Paul A. Rothchild, who produced The Even Dozen Jug Band, would work with Holzman to produce Tim Buckley's debut album Tim Buckley.  The album was released in 1966 alongside two singles when Tim was 19.

Here is the discography surrounding Tim Buckley's debut album:

Wings (1966 single)
Tim Buckley
Aren't You the Girl (1967 single)

"Song Slowly Song" by Tim Buckley


"Grief in My Soul" by Tim Buckley


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Tim Hardin - Tim Hardin 1 (1966)

"Reason to Believe" by Tim Hardin


One of the covers performed by Hearts and Flowers was "Reason to Believe", a song made more famous by those who covered it than by he who wrote it.  Tim Hardin wrote the song and recorded it on his debut album Tim Hardin 1 from 1966.  Hardin grew as a blues-inspired singer-songwriter out of the Greenwich Village folk scene in the early sixties.  Many of his folky contemporaries such as Karen Dalton and Fred Neil covered his songs in concerts or on their own albums.

Here is the discography surrounding Tim Hardin's debut album:

Don't Make Promises (1966 single)
Tim Hardin 1
Hang On to a Dream (1966 single)

"Hang On to a Dream" by Tim Hardin


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Buffalo Springfield - Buffalo Springfield (1966)

"For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield


After the Au Go-Go Singers broke up, a couple remaining members formed a similar group called The Company for one last tour through the Northeast and Canada.  While touring Ontario, Stills and Furay met a young Neil Young who was playing with surf-rockers The Squires at the time.  Young would go on to play in another band The Mynah Birds where he performed with AWOL American vocalist Rick James and bassist Bruce Palmer.  The Mynah Birds met with difficulties with Rick James's imprisonment and a lack of success that would break the group apart.  Stills, Young, Furay, and Palmer all found their way to California, taken with the LA folk-rock scene.  They found each other when Stills and Furay recognized Neil Young's converted hearse driving in the opposite direction.  Finding out that all four of them flew to LA for the same reason, they decided to form a band whose manager could already find work for them as the house band at the Whisky a Go Go club along Sunset Strip.  Buffalo Springfield made for a five-piece band when they brought in Dewey Martin from Nashville (who had some non-success with the Beatles-esque Sir Raleigh & the Cupons) through the mutual connection of Jim Dickson, manager for The Byrds.

Stills and Young shared songwriting duties.  Stills, Young, and Furay all played the guitar.  Bruce Palmer played the bass.  Dewey Martin played drums.  Stills and Furay usually swapped as lead vocalist and the two harmonized together with Martin.  Neil Young could sing but he wasn't allowed to on their debut album because his voice was too weird.  They released their debut album Buffalo Springfield in 1966 and garnered good reviews with little success.  This would change when theirs and the performances of other bands at the a Go Go proved too loud for Los Angeles locals.  The locals pushed for a strict ten p.m. curfew and loitering laws to stifle the noise and the congested crowds.  Young rock and roll fans saw this as an infringement on their rights and protested against the curfew.  Stills witnessed the demonstration and resulting arrests and quickly wrote a song to chronicle the pent up emotions of the time.  Seeking to capitalize on the memory of the event, Buffalo Springfield quickly recorded the song and released it to local radio stations.  "For What It's Worth", the band's third single, was an immediate hit locally and helped Buffalo Springfield garner a national audience.  Their debut album was re-released, this time with their new hit single leading off and replacing a weaker track ("Baby Don't Scold Me").

Here is the discography surrounding Buffalo Springfield's debut album:

Mustang (1963 single by The Squires)
The Sultan (1963 single by The Squires)
White Cliffs of Dover (1964 single by Sir Raleigh & the Cupons)
While I Wait (1964 single by Sir Raleigh & the Cupons)
Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day (1965 single by Sir Raleigh & the Cupons)
Tell Her Tonight (1965 single by Sir Raleigh & the Cupons)
I Don't Want to Cry (1965 single by Sir Raleigh & the Cupons)
The Mynah Bird Hop (1965 single by The Mynah Birds)
It's My Time (1966 unreleased single by The Mynah Birds)
The Lost Recordings (1966 unreleased recordings)
Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing (1966 single)
Buffalo Springfield
Burned (1966 single)
For What It's Worth (1967 single)
Buffalo Springfield (1967 album re-release)

"Go and Say Goodbye" by Buffalo Springfield


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Peter Walker - Rainy Day Raga (1966)

As mentioned briefly in the last entry, one of The Velvet Underground's earliest available recordings was a flexi disc experiment in audio feedback called 'Loop'that the group released in 1966 with the third issue of Aspen Magazine. 'Loop', however, is actually the b-side to that disc. The a-side is 'White Wind', a recording by the fingerstyle guitarist Peter Walker.

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By 1965, Peter Walker came into contact with Maynard Solomon, the head of Vanguard Records. Vanguard teamed him with producer Samuel Charters to record his debut Rainy Day Raga in 1966. According to Walker, the album captured 'a great moment in time'. The album is made up of ragas composed or arranged by Walker. He and his band would play these ragas regularly both before and after the sessions until they decided to finally move on. The 'band' consisted of seasoned session musicians Monte Dunn 'filling the holes' on acoustic guitar, Jeremy Steig on flute, and Bruce Langhorne on percussion. Most of the ragas are named for periods of time ('Morning Joy', 'Spring', 'April in Cambridge',...) and they try to portray for the listener exactly how these moments in time naturally feel and how beautiful they sound.

Here is the discography surrounding Peter Walker's debut album:

White Wind (1966 flexi disc)
Rainy Day Raga



If you have any ideas for where the tour should go next, please give a shout. I'm open to whatever as long as the artists are historically related in some way and go in an artist's chronological order.

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The Mothers of Invention - Freak Out! (1966)

Les McCann is the bridge between Lou Rawls and The Mothers of Invention. As I mentioned before, he led the backing band for most of Stormy Monday. He also performed as one of the many session musicians on The Mothers of Invention's debut album Freak Out! It was released in 1966 and is considered both one of the first rock double albums and one of the first concept albums.

Here is the discography surrounding the debut album:

Jungle Dreams (1960 single by Roy Estrada & The Rocketeers)
Freak Out!
Trouble Every Day (1966 single)
How Could I Be Such a Fool? (1966 single)

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