Bands did what they wanted, but to say they didn't give a fuck is very wrong - they were artists, often provocateurs, often trying to make a statement, and knew they taking a huge risk.

Even the Beatles in 64, who younger generations think were so squeaking clean and laughably innocent, at the time were alarming. When they first went to the States, while they wanted to tour and sell a lot of records, they were also afraid to go. George in particular was terrified of getting shot (this was right after the Kennedy assassination). They were greeted not only with screaming hysteria, but also moral panic, being called "unAmerican", Paul even got arrested for having a girl in his hotel room, the KKK was out agitating, and soon after, burning their records (over the Jesus thing).