By the mid '60's, popular music was going through another evolution. Heavier beats and pounding rhythms served as the backdrop for a number of new artists. The times - they were a' changin' - political controversies led to social unrest. Amidst an era of self-indulgence and personal freedoms ... the psychadelic era was born. It was also in 1971 regulations came into effect for Canadian radio, requiring stations to play at least 30% homegrown material.

In 1965, East Prussian born Joachim Kruledat emigrated to Toronto from Germany. After changing his name to John Kay he hooked up with local group Jack London & The Sparrows, soon re-dubbed Steppenwolf. And by '67 they'd made California homebase, going on to literally define an entire generation. Through their music they epitomized the attitude of America at the time. From their self-titled debut in '67, they dominated the charts for the next decade, spawning such classic rock anthems as "Magic Carpet Ride", a cover of Hoyt Axton's "The Pusher", "Monster", a scathing commentary on the Vietnam War, "Sookie Sookie" and "Born To Be Wild".

The mid 60's also saw a number of groups become synonymous with the California 'flowers & beads' scene, but with Canadian elements to the bands. 1965 saw the debut sngle from The Lovin' Spoonful. Featuring Zal Yanovsky, formerly of the short-lived group The Mugwumps, their biggest chart success was "Summer In The City", peaking at #1 on Billboard in '66. Other classics included "Do You Believe In Magic", "Rain On The Roof" and "Six O' Clock".

Another Mugwumps alumni was Denny Doherty. Born in Halifax in 1936, he'd already toured the majority of the continent and been part of several fairly successful groups. But it was his departure from the Mugwumps with Cass Elliot that would lead him to his most prominence notoriety. After forming Mamas & Papas with John & Michelle Phillips they would eventually become cemented in the annals of the San Fransisco sound with classics like "Monday Monday" and "California Dreaming". Following the band's demise, Doherty would go on to record several solo albums, as well as working with a variety of other artists, television and filmwork.

Bob Segarini, one of Canada's most prolific 'names', got his start in the mid 60's when the West Coast native formed The Family Tree. After their eponymous debut, he moved to LA and formed Roxy with Randy Bishop. Again after only one lp, he moved to Montreal and formed The Wackers. 3 albums later and it was on to The Dudes with ex-April Wine members Ritchie and David Henman and future Winer Brian Greenway. After 2 records he ventured on to a successful solo career that extended into the early '80's. He'd go on to produce several other acts, as well as a career in radio and work on film scores.

Winnipeg guitarist Randy Bachman found his group without a frontman following the departure of Chad Allan. Enter teenage sensation Burton Cummings, ex of the Deverons ... and The Guess Who was born. The team of Cummings/Bachman wrote the majority of the band's material, and some of the era's most dominant music, including "These Eyes" in 1969, the first single by a Canadian group to top Billboard's Top 100, "No Time", "No Sugar Tonight" and arguably one of rock and roll's greatest anthems, "American Woman" in 1970. Following Bachman's departure in '71, the group still struck gold repeatedly with "Running Back To Saskatoon", "Rain Dance", "Albert Flasher" and "Clap For The Wolfman". The group's contributions to the music world were formally recognized in 1987 with their induction into The Hall of Fame.

Originally a six piece outfit out of Calgary, The Stampeders earned their fame after moving to Toronto in 1968. Comprised of Ronnie King, Rich Dodson and Kim Berly, the band took their brand of country-flavoured pop to the charts with a string of hits during the 70's, including "Carry Me", "Wild Eyes" and "Devil You" . 1971 saw them walk out with 3 Junos, including one for top single of year for "Sweet City Woman" which peaked that year at #8 on Billboard. They experimented with a variety of sounds during the rest of the 70's, even after Dodson left in 1977 to embark on a solo career and head-up Marigold Records.

Born David Thomsett, David Clayton-Thomas, an immigrant from England, was already established in the Toronto music scene with his group The Bossmen, when he was recruited as frontman for Blood Sweat & Tears' self-titled second lp in 1969. Their fusion of modern jazz with the day's rock and roll was both eclectic and innovative, spawning such hits as "Hi De Ho", "You've Made Me So Very Happy" and "Spinning Wheel", which peaked at #1 on Billboard in '69, holding the position for 7 non-consecutive weeks. Clayton-Thomas was also honoured in 1973 with a special Juno for his outstanding contributions to the Canadian music industry.

1969 also saw the debut from Lighthouse. Formerly of The Paupers, Skip Prokop's rock-style drumming was melded with Paul Hoffert's jazz-flavoured piano-work. With this at the core of their music, Lighthouse emerged as one of the first 'rock orchestras'. They were the first band to have a record certified platinum, 1972's LIGHTHOUSE LIVE. "One Fine Morning", their first gold single, along with other AM classics such as "You Girl" and "Sunny Days" which epitomized summer fun in the '70's, established Lighthouse as one of Canada's true rock pioneers.

Originally from the Maritimes, April Wine moved to Montreal in late 1969. With Myles Goodwyn at the helm, the band would gain critical and commercial success, as well as fan base around the world rivalled by few that carries on to present day. With ties to other Canadian heavy-hitters as BTO, Mashmakhan and The Dudes, their masterful technique of blending soulful ballads such as "I Wouldn't Want To Lose Your Love" and "Just Between You and Me" is rivalled by no one. Along with the harder edged riffs in killers like "I Like To Rock" and "Weeping Widow", April Wine have made themselves one of Canada's most endearing rock bands of all time.

Another Montreal group around the same time was Mahogany Rush. Led by guitarist extraordinaire Frank Marino, they blended psychadelic early metal with Marino's passion for the blues, developing a cult following rivalled by few. Their penchant for putting their own mark on covers in the 70's was most evident in numbers like "Bumblebee Blues", "Purple Haze", "Norweigan Wood" and "All Along The Watchtower". In the 80's the trend continued with a cover of "Roadhouse Blues". Still mystifying audiences today solo, Marino is widely considered a metal pioneer and one of the country's most influential guitarists.

One of the first psychadelic groups to hail from Canada, the origins of Montreal's Mashmakhan began in 1960. But it wasn't until a decade later, after several line-up and name changes that Pierre Senecal's group finally got a record deal. Coincidentally, their biggest hit was their first "As The Years Go By". Though they only recorded two albums, they left their mark on Canada's musical legacy, spawning several watered-down knock-offs during the 70's. They would also become noted for their association with other future Canadian superstars, including Jerry Mercer and Brian Greenway both joining April Wine.

Fludd, formed around the nucleus of Toronto's Brian and Ed Pilling, was one of the country's most innovative groups in the late 60's/early 70's. With the classic "Cousin Mary", they employed an 'uptempo folk feel' to a hard-driving backbeat. The group enjoyed a strong following in southern Ontario behind the success of other singles such as "Brother and Me" and "Always Be Thinking Of You". The band broke up after Brian Pilling succumbed to cancer in 1978. Possibly better known for the number of the stars to play in the band at one time or another, Fludd's roster at one time or another included Steve Negus and Jim Crichton, who went on to form Saga, Doni Underhill, later of Trooper fame, and Greg Godovitz, who formed Goddo.

Chilliwack, formed from the ashes of Vancouver's The Collectors in the late 60's, was BC's most succesful act from that period. Led by Bill Henderson, they would dominate the airwaves for the better part of a decade, cranking out some of Canadian radio's most-played tunes, including "There's Something I Like About That", "Fly At Night", "Arms Of Mary" and "Communicatin Breakdown". Tho guitar-great Brian MacLeod and bassist Ab Bryant would also spend time on their side project, The Headpins, Chilliwack's force would not dissipate, recording some of their most successful material during the '80's, including "My Girl" and "Whatcha Gonna Do When I'm Gone?". Henderson has also gone one to become one of Canada's most sought-after producers/engineers, working with some of the country's top acts (often with the late Brian MacLeod), including Shari Ulrich, The Headpins, Junior Gone Wild, Toronto and The Irish Rovers.