Influential People In Hippy Culture
The hippy movement of the 1960s and 1970s was a countercultural phenomenon that embraced peace, love, and the rejection of mainstream societal norms.
Here's a list of influential people in the hippy movement. Click their name to read details about their life and careers.
Timothy Leary - A psychologist and advocate for psychedelic drug use, Leary popularized the phrase "Turn on, tune in, drop out."
Lou Adler - Lou Adler is a prominent figure in the music industry, whose influence spans several decades.
Derek Taylor- Derek Taylor was a highly influential figure in the music industry, particularly known for his work as a publicist for The Beatles, among other prominent artists and bands of the 1960s and beyond
Philip Lamantia - An American poet who is often associated with the Beat Generation, though his work and influence extend well into surrealism and beyond.
Gary Snyder -A distinguished American poet, essayist, lecturer, and environmental activist.
John Phillips -John Phillips was a pivotal figure in the American music scene of the 1960s and 1970s.
Joel Rosenman - is best known as one of the co-founders of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair.
Philip Whalen - Philip Whalen (1923-2002) was an American poet, a central figure in the San Francisco Renaissance, and closely associated with the Beat Generation.
Michael McClure - Michael McClure (1932-2020) was an American poet, playwright, songwriter, and a key figure in the Beat Generation and the San Francisco Renaissance.
Kenneth Rexroth - Kenneth Rexroth (1905-1982) was an American poet, translator, and critical essayist, whose work and influence spanned several key phases of 20th-century literature.
Jack Kerouac - An American novelist and poet who became a prominent figure in the Beat Generation.
Yoko Ono - Yoko Ono and John Lennon's relationship was one of the most famous partnerships of the 20th century.
Stephen Gaskin - Stephen Gaskin was an American counterculture icon, spiritual leader, author, and the founder of The Farm, one of the most well-known intentional communities in the United States.
Ina May Gaskin - Ina May Gaskin is an influential figure in modern midwifery, known for her pioneering work in advocating for natural childbirth.
John Roberts - John Roberts, born in 1945, played a pivotal role as one of the co-founders of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair.
Max Yasgur - Max Yasgur's farm became a pivotal symbol of the hippie movement, largely due to its role as the site for the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969.
William S. Burroughs - William S. Burroughs was a seminal figure in the postwar American literary scene.
Paul Krassner - Paul Krassner was a pivotal figure in the American counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
Allen Ginsberg - A prominent Beat poet and political activist, known for his poem "Howl" and his involvement in counterculture.
Ken Kesey - Author of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and a central figure in the Merry Pranksters, known for their LSD-fueled bus trips.
Jerry Garcia - Founding member of the Grateful Dead, a band that was a cornerstone of the hippy music scene.
Swami Satchidananda - Swami Satchidananda, an Indian yoga guru and spiritual leader, became an influential figure among the hippies, embodying the era's aspirations for inner peace and universal love.
Janis Joplin - A blues-rock singer with a powerful voice and charismatic stage presence, she embodied the spirit of the era.
Jim Morrison - Lead singer of The Doors, known for his poetic lyrics and enigmatic persona.
Michael Lang - Michael Lang was an American concert promoter, producer, and artistic visionary best known as one of the co-creators of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair.
John Lennon - A member of The Beatles, Lennon used his platform for peace activism and countercultural expression.
George Harrison - Another member of The Beatles, Harrison explored Eastern spirituality and music.
Bob Dylan - His folk and protest music made him a voice of the generation, particularly during the 1960s.
Wavy Gravy - An activist and clown, he played a key role in organizing the Woodstock Festival.
Abbie Hoffman - A political activist and co-founder of the Youth International Party (Yippies), known for theatrical protests.
Artie Kornfeld - Arthur "Artie" Kornfel is an American musician, record producer, and music executive best known as one of the four co-founders of Woodstock.
Angela Davis - An activist and scholar known for her involvement in the civil rights and Black Panther movements.
R. Crumb - A pioneering underground cartoonist whose work often critiqued mainstream culture.
Joan Baez - A folk singer and activist who used her music to promote social and political change.
Paul McCartney - Paul McCartney is a legendary British musician, singer, songwriter, and composer, and a founding member of the Beatles.
Ram Dass - Formerly known as Richard Alpert, he wrote "Be Here Now" and explored spiritual transformation.
Ringo Starr - Ringo Starr is a legendary British musician, singer, songwriter, and actor best known as the drummer for The Beatles.
Rennie Davis - An activist and one of the Chicago Seven, he organized protests during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Marianne Faithfull - A singer and actress associated with the Rolling Stones and the counterculture.
Grace Slick - Lead singer of Jefferson Airplane, she was an iconic figure in the psychedelic music scene.
Terence McKenna - An ethnobotanist and writer who explored the use of psychedelic plants and their impact on human consciousness.
Herman Hesse - The author of "Siddhartha" and "Steppenwolf," his works influenced the spiritual and philosophical aspects of the hippy movement.
Timothy Plowman - An ethnobotanist who studied the use of plants like ayahuasca by indigenous peoples in the Amazon.
Dr. Albert Hofmann - The Swiss chemist who synthesized LSD and played a crucial role in the psychedelic movement.
Carlos Castaneda - Known for his books on shamanism, Castaneda introduced many to indigenous spiritual practices.
Terence "Terry" Melcher - A record producer associated with the Beach Boys and the music scene in Laurel Canyon.
Paul Krassner - An editor, writer, and satirist who founded The Realist magazine and was involved in various countercultural movements.
Michael Lang - Co-producer of the Woodstock Festival, a seminal event in hippy culture.
Owsley Stanley - A prominent LSD manufacturer and sound engineer who designed the Grateful Dead's "Wall of Sound" system.
Neal Cassady - A central figure in the Beat Generation and inspiration for the character Dean Moriarty in Jack Kerouac's "On the Road."
Timothy "Speed" Levitch - A poet and philosopher known for his eccentric and philosophical bus tours.
Stewart Brand - Founder of the Whole Earth Catalog, which influenced eco-conscious living and communal ideals.
Kesey's Merry Pranksters - A group of individuals who traveled in a psychedelic bus called "Further," promoting the use of LSD and the counterculture.
Aldous Huxley - The author of "Brave New World" and "The Doors of Perception," which explored the effects of mescaline.
Wes Wilson - A graphic artist known for creating iconic psychedelic concert posters.
Emma Goldman - An anarchist and feminist who influenced political and social thought in the 20th century.
Rick Griffin - An influential artist and designer, he created album covers for bands like the Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix.
Ralph Metzner - A psychologist and author who researched the psychological effects of psychedelics.
Michael Bowen - An artist and one of the organizers of the Human Be-In, a seminal event in the hippy movement.
Tom Wolfe - Author of "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test," chronicling Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters' LSD adventures.
Frank Zappa - A musician and composer who pushed the boundaries of rock music and social commentary.
Eldridge Cleaver - A prominent member of the Black Panther Party and author of "Soul on Ice."
Chester Anderson - An author and countercultural figure known for his involvement in the Haight-Ashbury scene.
Mickey Hart - A drummer for the Grateful Dead, he brought innovative rhythms and world music influences to the band.
These individuals, along with many others, left a lasting impact on the hippy movement, shaping its cultural, social, and artistic expressions.