The 1960s witnessed a transformation in popular culture where rock musicians achieved celebrity status rivalling Hollywood actors. This era saw psychedelic music emerge as an experimental genre, though early listeners found it polarising—some dismissed it as experimentation without substance, even drawing criticism from established artists like Jimi Hendrix who felt bands were merely adding visual effects to familiar songs played in unconventional ways.

Folk musician Donovan played a crucial role in legitimising psychedelia through two influential recordings: 'Sunshine, Superman' (whose title referenced LSD, deeply connected to the psychedelic movement) and 'The Season of the Witch.' Recording these tracks with producer Mickie Most and assembling musicians including future rock legends Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, Donovan created a sound that fused his folk roots with jazz influences and electric instrumentation, ultimately helping to establish psychedelia as a forward-thinking and artistically credible genre.