Counter-Culture and Jerry

Counter-Culture is a movement, mostly based in the mid to late sixties, that was based upon the principles of rebellious natures, much like generations before. Like their parents, they resisted all strains of society that the previous generation had placed on them through art, drugs and protest. The movement is famous for acts such as the Who, who represented the Mod movement in England, and the Beatles, who were the first band to incorporate their drug experiments into their recording techniques. Counter-culture included artist Andy Warhol, who's brand of artwork which featured regular items in order to represent the view of going against the idea of art in the existentialist period, and Janis Joplin, who's singing style stood in far contrast from the accepted idea of how a female singer sounded and composed herself. The Counter-Culture era included mass protests of the generation against the war that was being readily supported by the parents and politicians, including the Cold and Vietnam wars. Many coincide the end of the era with the death of Janis Joplin, October 4, 1970.

I specifically chose Jerry Garcia, Andy Warhol's painting for the Velvet Underground's debut album, and the peace symbol because they all represent everything Counter-culture was about. The Mod generation of England and the Hippy generation of America believed heavily in creating a universal peace in the world, especially in contrast to the quickly spiraling Vietnam Crisis. Jerry Garcia, who's music was heavily influenced by the popular counter-culture drug, "LSD," was beneficial in spreading awareness of the movement and promoted its ideals. The quote chosen, "Hope I Die Before I Get Old," was penned in the Pete Townshend-written track, "My Generation," which was the Who's idea of what being in Counter-Culture was all about.