How to commemorate the centenary of acid guru Timothy Leary, born 100 years ago today in Springfield, Massachusetts? Many will dig into their psychedelic rock collection to spin something like Jefferson Airplane’s “Surrealistic Pillow” (1967) or the Grateful Dead’s “Aoxomoxoa” (1969). More historically-minded psychonauts, however, will reach for their Mozart and Wagner records, paying tribute to the psychologist who broke ground and taboos by advocating for the widespread use of LSD in American society. Before hallucinogens became indelibly linked with rock in the late ’60s, Leary and his fellow researchers curated their experimental use of psychedelics—whether the naturally–occurring psilocybin found in magic mushrooms, or the lab-made lysergic acid diethylamide (better known as LSD or acid)—with recordings of classical music.
A Timothy Leary Playlist
Turn on, tune in
