1. The Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes were one of those bands that perfectly captured the psychedelic vibe of the ’60s but somehow didn’t hold onto mainstream memory. Their single “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)” became a defining track of the era’s experimental rock scene, filled with fuzz guitar and trippy production that sounded unlike anything else on the radio. The band leaned heavily into studio effects and distortion, which was groundbreaking at the time, giving them a unique spot in the psychedelic movement. Despite their innovative approach, they struggled to find consistent success beyond a few standout hits.
The group eventually faded as members rotated in and out, with producers sometimes taking more creative control than the band itself. Their catalog still resonates with collectors and garage rock enthusiasts who admire their boldness in pushing boundaries. They never became household names like The Doors or Jefferson Airplane, but their influence on psychedelic and garage rock was undeniable. Listening back now, it’s easy to hear how ahead of their time they really were.
2. Iron Butterfly
Iron Butterfly may be remembered for one thing above all else: their epic 17-minute track “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” That song became an unlikely hit in 1968, with its heavy riffs, extended drum solo, and hypnotic organ lines. For a while, Iron Butterfly seemed like they would define the sound of heavy psychedelic rock. They even set the stage for harder rock and proto-metal that came in the following decade.
But outside of that one massive track, their broader catalog faded into obscurity. They never managed to follow up with another song that captured the public’s imagination in the same way. Still, the sheer audacity of releasing such a long, experimental piece in the middle of the ’60s cemented them as innovators. Even if their name doesn’t come up as often now, their influence on heavier rock can’t be denied.
3. Paul Revere & The Raiders
Paul Revere & The Raiders were everywhere in the mid-’60s, with their matching Revolutionary War outfits and a string of hits like “Kicks” and “Hungry.” They were one of the first American bands to consistently challenge the British Invasion groups on the charts. Their mix of garage rock grit and pop polish made them stand out, and their high-energy TV appearances helped them reach living rooms across the country.
Yet for all their success, their legacy is strangely muted today. They don’t get mentioned alongside The Byrds or The Beach Boys, despite having an undeniable influence on American rock. Part of that might be because their playful image made critics take them less seriously at the time. Still, for anyone who dives back into their catalog, it’s clear they were one of the most fun and underrated bands of the decade.
4. The Seeds
The Seeds were pioneers of garage and proto-punk, with their anthem “Pushin’ Too Hard” standing as a rebellious rallying cry of the ’60s underground. Sky Saxon’s sneering vocals and the band’s raw energy gave them a distinctive sound at a time when polished pop acts still dominated the charts. They represented the wild, untamed side of rock that would later inspire punk and alternative movements.
Yet, despite their influence, they never broke into widespread fame. Their repetitive, stripped-down style was too ahead of its time for mainstream listeners who wanted either polished pop or sprawling psychedelia. Over the years, however, musicians and critics have come to recognize them as true trailblazers. Their songs may not have topped charts, but they laid the groundwork for a much louder future.
5. The Standells
The Standells are best known for their gritty garage rock anthem “Dirty Water,” which celebrated (and poked fun at) Boston. Though they were from Los Angeles, that track became an unlikely sports anthem in Massachusetts and still echoes in stadiums today. Their sound was tough, energetic, and dripping with attitude, making them stand apart from the polished pop-rock of the time.
Despite this, their career never soared beyond a few regional hits. They were one of those bands that helped define the garage rock scene without becoming household names. Fans of gritty, rebellious rock often rediscover them and marvel at how much of their DNA shows up in later punk and garage revival acts. They may not have had staying power in their era, but their raw influence endures.
6. The Music Machine
The Music Machine had one of the most striking images of the ’60s, with their all-black clothing and one black glove each. Their song “Talk Talk” was short, punchy, and aggressive, sounding almost like punk a decade before punk officially arrived. They didn’t shy away from using fuzz pedals and experimenting with sound textures that were far from the mainstream.
Unfortunately, creative conflicts and lack of label support held them back. Their innovative spirit didn’t translate into big commercial success, but their influence can be heard in countless garage and punk bands that came later. They were proof that some of the most innovative groups of the ’60s weren’t the ones dominating the radio. Their style was simply too radical for the time.
7. The Strawberry Alarm Clock
Few songs scream ’60s psychedelia like “Incense and Peppermints.” The Strawberry Alarm Clock delivered one of the most memorable one-hit wonders of the decade, with their kaleidoscopic harmonies and trippy arrangements. For a brief moment, they embodied the Summer of Love and the colorful, experimental spirit of the time.
But as quickly as they rose, they faded. Their follow-up material never matched the impact of their breakout single, and changing musical tastes left them behind. Still, their big hit remains a psychedelic staple, and their albums are full of overlooked gems. They may be remembered as a novelty by some, but for others, they represent a pure slice of ’60s counterculture.
8. The Beau Brummels
The Beau Brummels were one of the first American bands to successfully take on the British Invasion sound. Their single “Laugh, Laugh” was produced by future Warner Bros. legend Sylvester Stewart, better known as Sly Stone. They had harmonies that rivaled The Byrds and The Beatles, yet they somehow never became household names.
Part of the problem was timing—they were early innovators but got overshadowed when the British acts fully took over. Still, their music was clever, catchy, and influential, bridging folk-rock and pop in a way that deserves more credit today. When people dig back into ’60s rock history, The Beau Brummels are often a delightful surprise. They were better than their chart history suggests.
9. The Sonics
If any band from the ’60s deserves the label “proto-punk,” it’s The Sonics. Their music was loud, raw, and almost unhinged, with screaming vocals and distorted guitars that blew past the conventions of the time. Songs like “Strychnine” and “The Witch” still sound shockingly aggressive even today. They were a garage band that didn’t just push boundaries—they obliterated them.
Yet, outside of the Pacific Northwest, they remained largely underground. Their influence is now widely acknowledged by punk and grunge bands, but at the time, their ferocity kept them from mainstream success. The Sonics captured a kind of raw energy that few dared to record in the ’60s. It took decades for the world to catch up with them.
10. The Left Banke
The Left Banke brought something different to ’60s rock with their “baroque pop” style. Songs like “Walk Away Renée” blended rock with harpsichords, strings, and classical influences, creating a delicate yet powerful sound. They were proof that rock could be beautiful and ornate without losing its emotional impact.
Unfortunately, internal strife and lineup changes kept them from reaching their full potential. While their songs occasionally hit the charts, they never reached the iconic status of bands like The Beach Boys or The Byrds. Still, their influence is clear, with their orchestral approach echoing through later decades. They’re one of those bands you discover and instantly wonder why they weren’t bigger.
11. The Shadows of Knight
The Shadows of Knight helped bring garage rock to the mainstream with their gritty version of “Gloria,” which toned down some of the suggestive elements of Van Morrison’s original. They had a knack for taking raw R&B songs and reworking them into radio-friendly hits. Their sound was stripped-down, direct, and infectious.
Despite this, their fame was fleeting. They were overshadowed by bigger acts and couldn’t sustain their early momentum. Still, their recordings capture the rebellious, energetic spirit of mid-’60s rock perfectly. For anyone who loves the garage sound, they’re a must-listen.
12. The Pretty Things
The Pretty Things were often compared to The Rolling Stones, partly because guitarist Dick Taylor was an early Stones member. But instead of chasing mainstream glory, they went in more experimental directions, dabbling in psychedelia and even creating what some consider the first rock opera with S.F. Sorrow. Their willingness to experiment made them cult legends rather than chart-toppers.
They were too adventurous to ever dominate the pop charts. Their records pushed boundaries and often confused mainstream listeners, but decades later, critics hail them as innovators. They may not have been remembered like The Who or The Kinks, but their fingerprints are all over experimental rock. They were a band that quietly changed everything.
13. The Zombies
The Zombies are one of those bands that feel both iconic and strangely underappreciated. Their hit “She’s Not There” showed off their jazzy, moody approach to rock, while “Time of the Season” remains a late-’60s anthem. But their real masterpiece, Odessey and Oracle, didn’t gain recognition until years after its release. At the time, it barely made a dent commercially.
The group broke up before their album even started to receive acclaim, making them a case of being too good too soon. Today, music lovers recognize them as one of the finest bands of the decade, but casual listeners often only know one or two songs. Their blend of soulful vocals and inventive arrangements influenced countless artists. They may be forgotten by some, but their legacy is quietly enormous.
