6. The Joshua Light Show provided psychedelic backgrounds for performers
The Joshua Light Show, which was headed by American artist Joshua White, was an integral component of many of the venue’s shows. Many bands would perform in front of a psychedelic backdrop that incorporated “liquid light shows.” The shows took advantage of glass crystals, watercolors, film and slide projectors, and color wheels. All shows were based on four elements: projection of pure color, concrete imagery, variety of color effects, and shaping of the light.
The light show appeared on the back cover of Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsies and the front cover of Iron Butterfly’s In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. The light shows also provided trippy backgrounds for Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, the Doors, Lou Reed, Ravi Shankar, and many other performers.