The Joshua Light Show, created by
Joshua White, was a
liquid light show. It was known for its
psychedelic art
Psychedelic art (also known as psychedelia) is art, graphics or visual displays related to or inspired by psychedelic experiences and hallucinations known to follow the ingestion of psychedelic drugs such as LSD, psilocybin, and DMT. The word ...
and served as a lighting backdrop behind many live band performances during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Joshua White studied electrical engineering, theatrical lighting, and
magic lantern
The magic lantern, also known by its Latin name , is an early type of image projector that used pictures—paintings, prints, or photographs—on transparent plates (usually made of glass), one or more lenses, and a light source. Because a si ...
techniques at Carnegie Tech and also film making at University of Southern California. Performances were held every weekend.
The light shows used multiple image-making devices including film projectors, slide projectors, overhead projectors, color wheels, watercolors, oil colors, and glass crystals. These all would be arranged on two levels for their performances. The Joshua Light Show based their shows on four elements; projection of pure color, concrete imagery, variety of color effects and shaping of the light.
The Joshua Light Show has provided visual backgrounds for
Janis Joplin, the
Grateful Dead,
the Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
,
Jefferson Airplane,
the Band,
the Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most controversial and influential rock acts ...
,
Frank Zappa,
Lou Reed,
Television
Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertisin ...
,
Vanilla Fudge
Vanilla Fudge is an American rock band known predominantly for their slow extended heavy rock arrangements of contemporary hit songs, such as their hit cover of The Supremes' " You Keep Me Hangin' On".
The band's original line–up—vocalist ...
and
Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar (; born Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury, sometimes spelled as Rabindra Shankar Chowdhury; 7 April 1920 – 11 December 2012) was an Indian sitarist and composer. A sitar virtuoso, he became the world's best-known export of North In ...
among others. The light show appeared on the back cover of
Jimi Hendrix's album ''
Band of Gypsies'' and the front cover of Iron Butterfly's album ''
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" (derived from "In the Garden of Eden") is a song recorded by Iron Butterfly, written by bandmember Doug Ingle and released on their 1968 album of the same name.
At slightly over 17 minutes, it occupies the entire second ...
''.
Members
The Joshua Light Show
William Schwarzbach
Thomas Shoesmith
Lois Zelman
Cecily Hoyt
References
Visual music
{{DEFAULTSORT:Joshua Light Show
External links
The Joshua Light ShowThe Joshua Light Show Live at The KitchenJoshua Light Show 1967-68