Hawkwind

Hawkwind formed in 1969 under the name Group X, launched by former London street busker Dave Brock, who would become the band's constant navigator through decades of lineup changes and musical evolution. After changing their name to Hawkwind Zoo, they finally settled on Hawkwind.

Brock's early vision blended hard rock, psychedelia, and sci-fi themes into a swirling new sound that would later be called "space rock," a genre Hawkwind is widely credited with inventing.

In 1970, the band played outside the fence of the Isle of Wight Festival in protest of the high ticket prices. Their anti-commercial stance, playing for free to the masses, earned them serious counterculture credibility. According to lore, Jimi Hendrix was spotted in the crowd watching them.