What Is Hippie Music? A Crash Course With Robert Forster - Double J (2024)

From San Francisco in 1966 to Perth in 2012, explore the music of the this famed counterculture.

Music has always been a fundamental part of hippie culture, from its 1960s origins to now.

When Robert Forster talks about hippie, he doesn't necessarily equate it with the tropes normally associated with the term.

"When I say hippie, you immediately think of bellbottom jeans, bells, rainbow coloured skies and the summer of '67," he says.

"[It's] to do with exploration, to do with possibilities. The original ideas of hippie; fresh feels, new sounds, sonic exploration."

Traditional folk music was widespread and popular by the mid-‘60s, thanks to events like the Newport Folk Festival and artists such as Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and Joan Baez. Psychedelic music was still in its infancy at that time, fast gaining popularity thanks to acts like The Beatles, Donovan, and The Yardbirds. These bands were incorporating Eastern instrumentation into their music, and expanding the minds and musical interests of young people around the world.

It was the coming together of these traditional folk and psychedelic music styles that gave the hippie counterculture an iconic soundtrack - one that lives on today.

Country Joe & The Fish were among the first groups to distil the right elements of folk and psych styles, evidenced in their 1966 track 'Section 43'.

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"[It's] what some call the first ever psychedelic record," Forster says. "Some people are going to say it's The Beatles or it's a Stones track – 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds', or something – but this is different. This is where it all begins. San Francisco, early 1966.

"A weird folk band led by Country Joe who then start to make music that expands out of folk, which is where they begin, and then explores. There's no lyrics, so it's not 'candy coloured skies', it's not people looking out and seeing things fall out of the sky, it's none of that. It's sonic exploration and it's the beginning, when you start to get pools of sound and beauty. Music starts to break out of the two-minute pop song."

While San Francisco was the heartland of the hippie movement, the psychedelic music associated with it was being made all over the world.

Over 10,000 kilometres from the music, psychedelic experimentation, free love and political protests of San Francisco, a band were putting far more on the line in order to express their feelings through progressive music.

Os Mutantes could be the ultimate hippie band. While locked-up protesters were part of the worldwide counterculture, there weren't many who were arrested purely for playing in a rock band.

Their lyrics and their lifestyle were considered too threatening by the dictatorial military government that ruled Brazil at the time. Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, frequent collaborators with the band, were even imprisoned due to the political nature of the work. They were forced to seek exile in London in the late 1960s..

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The hippie culture and its music found many supporters in Australia as well. In 1967, The Masters Apprentices began to dabble in psychedelic music with 'Living In A Child's Dream'.

"It's probably my favourite psychedelic pop song from an Australian band," Forster says.

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Even as the summer of love became a hazy memory, our brand of hippie culture and its music continued. In 1971, an Adelaidean band called Fraternity had their biggest hit with 'Seasons Of Change', originally by a band called Blackfeather. The psychedelic folk song featured lead vocals and recorder playing by Bon Scott, who would later front bad boy rockers AC/DC.

"If Bon Scott can be a hippie, anyone can be a hippie," Forster says.

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Perhaps Australia's biggest hippie celebration, the final Aquarius Festival, took place in the New South Wales town of Nimbin in 1973. It drew somewhere between five and ten thousand people, many of whom never left, and has been cited as "Australia's Woodstock" by some.

Northern NSW had featured heavily in Morning Of The Earth, a 1971 surf film accompanied a soundtrack featuring some of the best hippie music Australia has ever produced.

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These days countercultural music is everywhere. Metal and punk bands are just as likely to discuss issues pertaining to politics, free love and drugs as folk acts. The mainstream has co-opted hippie fashion from different decades since the heyday of the ‘60s. Recreational psychedelic drug use is no longer the domain of society's freaks.

So where do we find the true essence of hippie in modern music?

Sydney's Songs occasionally incorporate eastern influences into their brand of indie-pop, giving the music a hippie feel.

"I've been travelling to India quite a lot over the last few years and I really like the music that I've heard over there," bassist and vocalist Ela Stiles says. Indian music has influenced psychedelic music for decades. The Beatles' 'Tomorrow Never Knows', one of the first truly psychedelic examples, was built on an Indian harmonic structure with George Harrison holding a drone on a tamboura for the song's duration.

"Music is such a big part of life over there; I didn't intentionally go there for the music but I took away some influences from there, I suppose, Stiles says.

She has done more vocal exploration on recent material, taking inspiration from hippie artists like Anne Briggs and Shirley Collins, and added flute to the band's sound.

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One of Stiles' greatest influences is ‘Murder of Maria Marten' by Shirley Collins and the Albion Country Band.

"Her voice is just incredible," Stiles says. "And, it's with the Albion Band – she did this album with them called No Roses – the instrumentation is amazing as well. It's a true story [about] a murder that took place in [1827] in England. It's telling the story from the murdered William Corder – he's admitting to the murder. There's a lot of different verses and a breakdown... it's just a really amazing song."

Meanwhile, Robert Forster considers Perth bands Pond and Tame Impala to have the exploratory quality of hippie music.

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While in the US, acts like Devendra Banhart, Espers and Warpaint that are flying the flag for experimental music.

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Forster says Warpaint's recent eponymous album is one of his favourites this year.

"For their album they went out into the desert, into a tent, and did some jamming. They've come back with a wonderful album," Forster says.

So, while psychedelic rock and folk may be the cornerstones of what hippie music has always been about, its most important characteristic is that it explores new ground.

When music pushes boundaries and experiments with a sonic space that verges on ethereal, it enters the hippie realm, politically charged or not.

Listen to Robert Forster on Hippie right here.

What Is Hippie Music? A Crash Course With Robert Forster - Double J (2024)

FAQs

What is hippie music about? ›

In the early 1960s, a new type of music began to emerge in the United States. This new style, which came to be known as hippie music, was a blend of various genres, including folk, rock, and country. Hippie music was often characterized by its relaxed, laid-back vibe and its focus on peace, love, and happiness.

What was hippie music called? ›

Psychedelic music was still in its infancy at that time, fast gaining popularity thanks to acts like The Beatles, Donovan, and The Yardbirds.

What are hippies called today? ›

The Modern Day Hippies

Nowadays, they are called bohemians or naturalists. You can read more about living a bohemian lifestyle or what it means to be a modern day hippie in these articles. Learn more about the movement in the trends and lifestyle sections here.

Is The Doors a hippie band? ›

The Doors as people may have leaned hippie in thinking and action, but most of their music was from a different perspective and ran counter to what the majority of hippies preached. Jim and his band mates were also outspoken on issues about culture and politics.

What are 4 characteristics of hippies? ›

The hippies preached free love, promoted flower power, and cautioned against trusting anyone over thirty. Eschewing money, materialism, and politics, they repudiated the mainstream values of the times. Along the way, these counterculturists created a lasting legacy and inspired long-lasting social changes.

What do hippies believe in? ›

So, promoting a life of love, a life of peace, and happiness and supporting freedom were the main reasons why the hippie movement was developed. Things have changed in society since the 1960s, but hippies have remained. Their key beliefs are still the same.

Who is the biggest hippie band? ›

Some of the most famous and well-known hippie music bands include The Grateful Dead, Santana, and The Doors. These bands were all highly influential in the development of the hippie counterculture and helped to spread the message of peace and love around the world.

Why is a hippie called a hippie? ›

The movement originated on college campuses in the United States, although it spread to other countries, including Canada and Britain. The name derived from “hip,” a term applied to the Beats of the 1950s, such as Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, who were generally considered to be the precursors of hippies.

What did hippies call themselves? ›

Actually, the counterculture seldom called itself hippies; it was the media and straight society who popularized the term. More often, we called ourselves freaks or heads.

What is the difference between hippie and hippy? ›

A hippie, also spelled hippy, especially in British English, is someone associated with the counterculture of the 1960s, originally a youth movement that began in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to different countries around the world.

What do hippies eat? ›

Staple foods of the hippie era are back in a big way – think turmeric, brown rice and flax seeds – and buzzwords like "plant-based," "organic," "wholefoods" and "natural" are seeing a resurgence. The new emphasis is on natural produce and convenience has given way to respecting one's body and the environment.

What personality type are hippies? ›

Adaptive, intuitive, and compassionate, the Hippie's life is one of introspection and humanitarian concern. You are very self-reflective, and this analytical trait makes you incredibly understanding of other people.

Is Led Zeppelin a hippie? ›

When the first album was recorded during the fall of 1968 and released in early 1969, it was indeed fresh. But it was not a break with the past. Looking back after forty-five years, it seems clear that, in spite of all of the other styles figuring into the story, at its core the music of Led Zeppelin is hippie blues.

Is Black Sabbath hippie music? ›

For the Sabbath boys, they were tired of looking for answers from other places, and they decided to create their own solution. They became the rejects of the hippie movement, the embodiment of that movement's shadow.

What rock band is Bohemian? ›

"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song by the British rock band Queen, released as the lead single from their fourth album, A Night at the Opera (1975).

What is a true hippie? ›

: a usually young person who rejects the mores of established society (as by dressing unconventionally or favoring communal living) and advocates a nonviolent ethic. broadly : a long-haired unconventionally dressed young person.

How to behave like a hippie? ›

How Can I Be A Hippie?
  1. Be Yourself. You cannot make yourself be something that you know deep down that you are not. ...
  2. Love The Great Outdoors. Loving nature is a big part of being a hippie. ...
  3. Be Cool. ...
  4. Share Your Opinions. ...
  5. Volunteer & Help Others. ...
  6. Open Your Mind. ...
  7. Meditate.
Feb 19, 2020

What are common hippie stereotypes? ›

The hippie stereotype includes men with scruffy beards, long unkempt hair, an eco-friendly, “Make Love Not War” philosophy, also accused of being promiscuous, a disdain for hard work, and a devotion to hallucinogenic drugs and psychedelic music.

Can hippies believe in God? ›

Being a hippy does not limit your belief in any way. When you don't quite understand something it is very easy to fill in the blanks with hearsay and nonsense but, we all do it. Just like any other person in the world, we can believe in whatever we like.

What do hippies smell like? ›

Perhaps patchouli is best known for being a defining scent of the American counterculture movement in the 60's and 70's. It's calming, earthy aroma was tremendously popular among the free-spirited hippies. But don't be fooled into thinking that patchouli is just a “hippie” scent.

What race were hippies? ›

W.R.: Hippies came from white middle-class families and grew up in suburbs, which were very white. So were crowds at Woodstock and other rock festivals. They had little experience with people of other races.

Did the Beatles started the hippie movement? ›

The Beatles played a big role as trendsetters in the hippie counterculture movement of the 1960's by including the ideals of the alternative culture in their songs and expressing these ideals through their behaviour and looks. In this way, they were able to contribute to changes in youth cultures.

Who is the king of hippies? ›

Rawle was known to British tabloid journalists as 'The King of the Hippies', not a title he ever claimed for himself, but one that he did eventually co-opt for his unpublished autobiography.

Was Janis Joplin considered a hippie? ›

She was an iconic figure of the hippie and women's liberation movements in the late 1960s. Janis Joplin embodied the life of Sex & Drugs & Rock'n'Roll more radically than her male colleagues — and paid the price.

What city has the most hippies? ›

EUGENE, US

The US has no shortage of hippie towns, but Eugene, Oregon might just be the hippiest of them all. The town's flower-power vibe is due in large part to a citizen named Ken Kesey, an essayist, novelist and counterculture figure of the 1960s who helped attract like-minded people.

What ended the hippie movement? ›

After the Vietnam War ended in the mid-1970s, the counterculture movement died down. However, the media continued to idolize the hippie scene. Even today, the hippie movement is often missed by those who desire to live in a more “free” society.

What kind of shoes do hippies wear? ›

Though hippies made a point of going barefoot, they often wear flat sandals when this isn't practical. After all, no shirt, no shoes, no service. The sandals most often associated with hippies are Birkenstocks. They have cork bottoms and leather upper material.

What were hippie girls called? ›

Flower child originated as a synonym for hippie, especially among the idealistic young people who gathered in San Francisco and the surrounding area during the Summer of Love in 1967.

What are some hippie sayings? ›

Generic Hippie Quotes

Make love, not war. Don't let the man keep you down. Live and let die. Hell no, we won't go.

What clothes did hippies wear? ›

Due to the high cost of fabric, hippies began to design and colour their own clothing. They frequently wear bell-bottom jeans with ankle fringe and flower patches as their attire. Their jeans were worn with peasant blouses, T-shirts, or short halter tops. They also enjoy wearing accessories, preferably handmade ones.

Is the hippie look 60s or 70s? ›

When we think of the 1970s, hippie fashion immediately comes to mind. The look began developing in the late 60s and peaked in the early 70s, making items such as bell-bottoms, tie-dye tops, headbands, embroidered folk designs and flowing scarves a part of mainstream fashion.

Was the hippie movement the 60s or 70s? ›

The hippie counterculture, which emerged in the late 1960s and grew to include hundreds of thousands of young Americans across the country, reached its height during this period of escalation of American involvement in the Vietnam War, and subsided as that conflict drew to a close.

Is hippy 60s or 70s? ›

The hippie subculture began its development as a youth movement in the United States during the early 1960s and then developed around the world.

What is in a dirty hippie? ›

A dirty hippie is chai latte with a shot of espresso, while an affogato is a traditional Italian dessert of espresso poured over a scoop of ice-cream.

What color did hippies wear? ›

Purples, indigoes, violets and lilacs are standbys in the world of hippie clothing fashion. The crown and third eye chakras are associated with violet and indigo respectively, meaning that purples connect us with our higher, spiritual selves and our intuition.

What do hippies eat for breakfast? ›

From seeded breads to tahini-based salad dressings, everything is made from scratch. Avocados qualify as a discrete food group. A hippie breakfast might feature garlicky greens where you were expecting slices of bacon, or substitute roasted sweet potatoes for home fries.

What zodiac signs are hippies? ›

Common cultural associations. The expression Age of Aquarius in popular culture usually refers to the heyday of the hippie and New Age movements in the 1960s and 1970s.

What is the most quiet personality type? ›

INTJs are typically very quiet and reserved unless they happen to meet someone who, like them, loves exploring theoretical concepts, analyzing possibilities, and dreaming up long-term goals. That said, they're not typically very verbal when it comes to discussing their feelings or people's personal lives.

What's the nicest personality type? ›

Those who are extroverted, sensing, feeling, and judging are often identified as one of the kindest types by experts. "ESFJs have extroverted feeling as a dominant cognitive function," Gonzalez-Berrios says. "This makes them rule by their hearts. They are kind, polite, friendly, and sensitive."

What did Elvis think of Led Zeppelin? ›

The group were huge Elvis admirers and three members (Plant, Page and Bonham) gladly accepted along with their infamous manager, Peter Grant. Although not a big fan of hard rock, Elvis knew who Zeppelin were and was amused that his young step-brother, Ricky, was so excited to hear that they'd be in the audience.

Is Grateful Dead hippie music? ›

The Grateful Dead were one of the most successful and enduring bands to come out of the original hippie counterculture of the late 1960's.

What are Zeppelin fans called? ›

The Led Zeppelin fandom (led heads, not to be confused with dead heads) is still strong today. Much of the fandom is fueled by: the 1973 concert film "The Song Remains The Same," other concert footage released from the Led Zeppelin DVD released in 2003, Celebration Day (2012), interviews, and more.

What singer was kicked out of Black Sabbath? ›

After a long run of increasingly erratic drink and drug fuelled behaviour Ozzy Osbourne was finally sacked by his band members.

Did Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath get along? ›

In the 1970s, rock bands didn't come any bigger or more influential than Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. But any rivalry between the two groups was outweighed by their long-standing friendship – one that peaked with one of history's greatest lost jam sessions.

What is the hardest Black Sabbath song to play? ›

However, Slash, the legendary guitarist of Guns N' Roses, has made up his own mind as to which song has the heaviest riff. According to Slash, that title definitely belongs to heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath's “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”.

Who is considered the Queen of rock music? ›

Janis Joplin: The Queen Of Rock Saturday would have been Janis Joplin's 70th birthday. Joplin was dubbed the first queen of rock 'n' roll, and her voice is singular. She was rough around the edges, vulnerable and charismatic, and she paved the way for countless women in rock.

What is the deeper meaning of Bohemian Rhapsody? ›

'Bohemian Rhapsody' WAS Freddie's confessional. It was about how different his life could have been, and how much happier he might have been, had he just been able to be himself, the whole of his life. The world heard this song as a masterpiece of imagination, a great command of musical styles.

Why do they say Bismillah in Bohemian Rhapsody? ›

Bismillah is an Arabic phrase which means, “in the name of God”. Freddie is pleading to be let go to live his life and be who he is.

What is hippie as a concept? ›

: a usually young person who rejects the mores of established society (as by dressing unconventionally or favoring communal living) and advocates a nonviolent ethic. broadly : a long-haired unconventionally dressed young person.

What is the hippie aesthetic in music? ›

By the early 1970s, some rock music exhibited a “hippie aesthetic,” which emphasized sophisticated music, lyrics dealing with important issues, and virtuosic performances. The hippie aesthetic connects a variety of 1970s rock styles to one another as well as to the psychedelic music of the 1960s.

What is hippie vibes? ›

a beautiful soul, a free spirit, a peaceful and positive vibe, she's smiling, laughing, taking it easy… ready for adventure, a free thinker.

What is the hippie style inspired by? ›

The hippie subculture, which became popular in the 1960s, began with the Beatnik movement in the United States. It included people protesting against the urban and selfish way of life, the geopolitical, economic and ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

What's the difference between hippy and hippie? ›

A long-haired 60s flower child was a “hippie.” “Hippy” is an adjective describing someone with wide hips.

Is hippie style 60s or 70s? ›

When we think of the 1970s, hippie fashion immediately comes to mind. The look began developing in the late 60s and peaked in the early 70s, making items such as bell-bottoms, tie-dye tops, headbands, embroidered folk designs and flowing scarves a part of mainstream fashion.

What was the first hippie musical? ›

The musical Hair, a celebration of the hippie lifestyle, opened on Broadway in 1968, and the film Easy Rider, which reflected hippie values and aesthetics, appeared in 1969.

Does Led Zeppelin follow the hippie aesthetic? ›

When the first album was recorded during the fall of 1968 and released in early 1969, it was indeed fresh. But it was not a break with the past. Looking back after forty-five years, it seems clear that, in spite of all of the other styles figuring into the story, at its core the music of Led Zeppelin is hippie blues.

What are hippie colors? ›

Purples, indigoes, violets and lilacs are standbys in the world of hippie clothing fashion.

How can you tell if someone is a hippie? ›

10 Signs That Show You Are A Modern-Day Hippie
  1. You love to move your body. ...
  2. You are spiritual. ...
  3. You own crystals and you believe in their power. ...
  4. You love nature. ...
  5. You have special taste in music. ...
  6. You love being barefoot. ...
  7. You'd love to live somewhere away from people. ...
  8. The universe excites you.
Mar 19, 2019

What did hippies wear in their hair? ›

Characteristics Of Hippie Hairstyles

Natural Texture: Hair was often worn in loose waves or with natural curls and kinks. Accessories: Hippies frequently adorned their hair with flowers, beads, and headbands. Braids: Braids were a popular way to keep long hair out of the way while adding a bohemian touch.

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