Psychedelia

The Original Mr. Cool. An original on the Canterbury Scene, Kevin Ayers spent the 60s with Wilde Flowers and Soft Machine before retiring to the comforts of Deià, Mallorca. Coaxed away by Peter Jenner, Ayers recorded a quartet of albums for Harvest label, beginning with the amazing Joy of a Toy. His band, the Whole Wide World, comprised of David Bedford, Lol Coxhill and Mike Oldfield, among many other luminaries, but his work was strictly pop, albiet one combined with an absurdist's sense of humor.

Founded: 1944

Location: Herne Bay, England

Website: Kevin Ayers

British psychedelia band featured Brian Godding, Kevin Westlake, Brian Belshaw, and Jim Cregan. Poli Palmer was also a member.

Founded: 1967

Location: London, England

Website: Lotsawatts

Extremely obscure psychedelic outfit out of Switzerland released the trippy sound-collage Cottonwoodhill album in 1971. Further albums were guided by keyboardist Joel Vandroogenbroeck, including two late in the decade.

Founded: 1968

Location: Basel, Switzerland

Website: Brainticket

Best known for his role in Hawkwind, the mercurial Robert Newton Calvert also recorded a pair of solo albums in the mid 70s with producer Brian Eno. Upon his departure in 1979 and up until his death in 1988, his work comprised mainly on stage plays and poetry, but his moody, electronic work was certainly of its time.

Founded: 1945

Location: Pretoria, South Africa

Website: Robert Calvert - the spirit of the p/age