Aspen in the 60s: A Look at the Counterculture Scene

In the 1960s, Aspen was a hub of counterculture activity, with a number of influential figures from the world of art, music, and politics making the town their home. Here’s a look at some of the key players in Aspen’s 60s counterculture scene:

1. Hunter S. Thompson: Writer Hunter S. Thompson was a fixture of the Aspen counterculture scene in the 60s, and he is perhaps best known for his book “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” Thompson was known for his wild and unconventional lifestyle, and he was a regular at Aspen’s clubs and bars.
2. John Denver: Singer-songwriter John Denver was a resident of Aspen in the 60s and was a key figure in the town’s burgeoning folk music scene. Denver’s career took off in the 70s, but he remained connected to Aspen throughout his life and was a passionate advocate for the town and its environment.
3. Wavy Gravy: Wavy Gravy is a counterculture icon and was a key figure in the 60s hippie movement. He was a fixture of the Aspen scene in the 60s and was known for his playful and irreverent personality.
4. Jerry Garcia: Jerry Garcia, the frontman of the Grateful Dead, was a regular visitor to Aspen in the 60s and was known for his love of skiing. Garcia and the Grateful Dead played a number of concerts in Aspen and were a key part of the town’s counterculture scene.
5. Janis Joplin: Singer Janis Joplin was a frequent visitor to Aspen in the 60s and was known for her powerful voice and her wild and unconventional lifestyle. Joplin was a key figure in the Aspen counterculture scene and is still remembered as one of the most iconic and influential figures of the era.

Aspen’s 60s counterculture scene was a vibrant and influential part of the town’s history, and it left a lasting impact on the town and its culture. Today, Aspen is a much more upscale and polished destination, but the spirit of the 60s counterculture scene lives on in the town’s arts, music, and political scenes.