The Turbulent Flight of Jefferson Airplane.' Ive never even seen anyone mention that before, let alone any documentation. Really cool band named AUM stood out as well. And that was it for the Atlantic City Pop Festival of 1969, to be nearly forgotten almost immediately except by those who were there. Easy to do with the hindsight of wisdom that comes with age. I stood for 3 days! [2] Many Canadian rock fans were turned back at border crossings and were unable to attend. About 15 years ago, through an intermediary I got an email through to Larry Magid, the chief promoter who had gone on to become the king of concert promoters in Philly. Hendrix was the headline act for the Friday night opening, but he played so poorly supposedly from an LSD-laced drink that he returned to the stage on Sunday. Dean Cooksley on Bullfrog Lake Music Festival; AC Smith (aka: . Mr. Tamarkin- (A) Yes, Little Richard closed w/ Shake, Baby, Shake, and whole crowd shook on way out, all the way to Turnpikes or Bridges. The guy who has slides needs to dig them up and share, man, share!! There wasnt organized camping but we set up camp along with our car right outside the race track. 200,000. But it definitely happened. And Janis said she would sing to stop the rain, and it did stop. But I went to this with a friend from the Associated Press and got a birds eye view. Great article, & good to see something on this AMAZING weekend! I didnt stay the whole weekend, but it was really amazing. Flying Burrito Brothers (replacement for above), Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, San Jose, CA. Notable Detroit area bands performing included Bob Seger, the MC5, The Stooges, Detroit featuring Mitch Ryder, Brownsville Station, Savage Grace, Third Power and SRC. This is often considered the first modern rock festival in Britain. What a night. To purchase photos from the Atlantic City Pop Festival, go here. Instead I listened to the radio all weekend and dreamed. I went there with a different friend. It could be almost as rare as the Altamont poster. [6], John Laycock of the Windsor Star praised the festival, writing that "The Organization Men of Goose Lake have resurrected the spirit of Woodstock without the discomforts" and that "the giant amphitheatre was superbly equipped." I came expecting to see the Chambers Brothers and Time was tremendous and well done. Grass Roots, Cuff Links, Mel & Tim 12/31/1969 Detroit, MI, Eastown Theater Savage Grace, Head Over Heels, Bobby Franklin Insanity Legend: . [6], National and international acts performing at the festival included Faces featuring Rod Stewart, Jethro Tull, Chicago, Ten Years After, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Mountain, John Sebastian, the James Gang featuring Joe Walsh, The Flock and The Litter.[1][2][5][7][8]. Amazing show and weekend! Grass Lake, a once sleepy farming community has grown to be a thriving area with over 6,000 residents, many new businesses, a revitalized downtown and village, a state-of-the-art high school, enlarged elementary and middle school facilities, a new sports and trails park in Grass Lake Township, several new housing developments, a dental center and two medical centers. jeden z nejdle fungujcch DJs na R1, modertor hudebnch poad, hudebn redaktor a promotr. Original 1st printing 81/2 x 11 concert/event flyer for the first Bullfrog Lake Music Festival, held near Estacada (Clackamas County), OR from 7/4-6/1969. Still have their record, but admittedly they were better live. On the other hand, I got to see Frank Zappa and The Mothers, and the band who replaced CSN and Y turned out to be a great discovery for me the Chambers Brothers! Richie Havens Memorial Service 2013-08-18. To get to AC we took a subway to the Port Authority Terminal, got a bus to Atlantic City where there were shuttle buses to the track/festival. Looking Glass didnt have Brandy until 1972 and were definitely not at Atlantic City. No regrets, Just memories, fond memories. Johnny Winter did play, Rollin and Tumblin for one. Procol Harem played Thus Sprach Zarathustra w a live Moog synth unheard of at the time! add topic- . I was never aware of this festival prior to this article. We came late because she was was working that night at the Dairy Barn in Woodbury Heights so we only saw a couple of bands. Go figure. Crosby was a disruptive force in the band . A journalist from the Sacramento Bee in 1969 reported that the air was hazy with marijuana smoke that was mixed with the dust kicked up by thousands of sandal-wearing youths. Some of the performers were Nina Simone, B.B. And Santana and Chicago, Iron Butterfly, Jefferson Airplane, FZ and the Mothers, Janice..Everyone!!!! I thought it was great. Farm Block - August 5-7. There was pot; there was liquor; there was some nudity; and there was some sleeping bag love-ins. AMAZING. "[8], Despite some problems, "most fans and musicians recall a sunny attitude surrounding the weekend". He left behind a wife, son, daughter in-law and grand-daughter. He was on the left stage where Joplin performed. Thanks for the memories. Po revoluci v kvtnu [] I thought it was 4 songs and as a Canadian who already loved her music, tI was heratbroken. Three days of little sleep, bad/no food, too much partying, in-fighting among the group of friends over paying for the van and the rest did me inwhen I got back home, I was sick for days. Big mistake asking her to follow them. One night a group of people who called themselves Ripple City organized a big smoke-in had everyone sharing their stash and all lighting up at once. : 3 Days of Peace and Music. My little brother and his friends stole most of it. The Grass Roots is an American pop and rock band that began as the studio based brainchild of songwriting duo P.F. No trees inside, no shade, Fourth of July in Georgia. I had an ss396 and we averaged 90 mph the whole way. General, VIP, and Lodging on sale now at winterwondergrass.com . [3] Everyone comes together to participate in the multiple fun-filled activities that are hosted within the community. I remember Carlos Santana coming onstage with the band and said This is our second gigthe program says Santana Rock Blues Band.just call us Santanayoull hear from us.but I cant remember the songs CTA(Chicago) played..also Iron Butterfly played In Gadda Da Vida for 35 minutes.it was 19 minutes on the album..fantastic piece,,,,great writing. As a matter of fact, the festival is so obscured in history that there remains some doubt as to who actually did and didnt perform. Dallas Morning News, August 7, 29, 30, 31, 1969. They were great. The festival was wildly successful with an estimated audience of 400,000 attending and is since regarded as a key moment in music history . From Wikipedia: Throughout much of the festival, a crowd gathered outside the venue and demonstrated against having to pay to hear the acts. The bands that stood out to me were; Santana blues band, Chicago Transit Authority & AUM a three piece band that brought the house down with a rendition of Ray Charles, Georgia on my mind, what ever happened to them? Zappa did, however. [5], Those who attended were provided free campsites, free parking and free firewood. I was one of the fools who climbed the light towers ! There is no question I was very fortunate to grow up with those bands of the 60s and early 70s. It was Lennons first-ever public rock performance without one or more of the Beatles since meeting Paul McCartney in 1957. I wish now I had gone. We started to weave our way out to go home. Harvey (The Snake) Mandel - guitar. I remember it was in the woods not sure if it was a real campground. Among the bands playing were:BB King, The Band, Santana, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Johnny Winter, Grateful Dead, Canned Heat, Sweetwater, Vanilla Fudge, Hugh Masakela, Amboy Dukes, The Turtles, Biff Rose, Tony Joe White, and Celebration. We had the best time of our lives. Crosby was long gone from The Byrds by 1969. No groovy babies were born. [8] Rod Stewart enjoyed his Friday night performance so much that he stayed to watch Alvin Lee perform with Ten Years After the following night.[8]. We were sitting in gridlock not movin. Billed as An exhibition for young people the Fair was used as an opportunity for companies to market their products to young people. And yes, I still have my tickets stubs from Days 2 & 3 a little wrinkled, & Priceless! No one mentioned Miles Davis. YES! A week later, Robert Wilkinson, a Los Angeles City Councilman representing Northridge, led the call for immediate inquiries to determine what can the city do to prevent another disgraceful melee such as occurred outside Devonshire Downs last week. The events promoter, Mark Robinson, along with his attorneywho happened to be his father, Mark Robinson, Sr.were hauled into an emergency session of the police commission, as was Robert Deem, the Downs manager, and Captain Al Lembke. Attended by an estimated 200,000 fans, the festival was the largest pop concert up to that time and is considered the more famous of the two Newport Pop Festivals, possibly because of the appearance of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, who got top billing. The Goose Lake International Music Festival was the creation of Richard Songer, who in his mid-30s in 1970 bought about 350 acres of farmland to create Goose Lake Park, a "place for the young . On Friday night Iron Butterfly encouraged the crowd to bring down the fence which they did. I was 16 years old in 1969. The poster for was created by rock artist Linda Segul. 3 thoughts on "1969 Midwest Rock Festival" Julie says: August 9, 2019 at 8:07 am . B. A Texas Historical Marker commemorating the event was erected near the site of the festival in 2010. Saturdays schedule mixed jazz acts such as Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck with others including John Mayall and Sly & the Family Stone. OK, I was just out of the Army and didnt go to Woodstock because I had to drive to California to go to school. After she didnt come back is when I remember the crowd booing. The Who definitely did not play at Atlantic City. And he promised to dig out fire ant colonies and relocate them at the venue. Green Lake Township, MI. And relatively few still photos exist. I guess neither of us were the adventurous type. The show featured Iron Butterfly, King Crimson (Robin Fripp and Greg Lake), Jefferson Airplane, Rotary Connection (Minnie Ripperton), PG&E, Rolling Stones, Vanilla Fudge, Janis Joplin and Her Full Tilt Boogie Band, Johnny Winters, and others. We were 15. My absolute favorite musician at the time was Janis and I snuck round back of the stage when she was waiting to perform. It was one of the best years. Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton, GA, July 12, 1969, beginning on July 12 and running on Saturdays during July and August, the 1969 Forest Hills Music Festival (Queens, NYC) featured a variety of performers including Janis Joplin, Richie Havens, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Johnny Wint, The Doors were billed as the headliner for the third day. Crowds didnt storm the site to make it a free festival. [9] He was acquitted in December 1971. during the concert, I saw a guy walk up to a Cop and ask for a light for his joint. Festival lineup (2023): deadmau5 & Kaskade, Eric Prydz, Charlotte de Witte, Armin van Buuren, Excision, Porter Robinson, Grimes. Johnny Winter was present but did not perform as his equipment did not show up in time. Atlantic City Pop was more secure, the fences werent temporary, large chain link fences with turnstiles and such. Promotional poster for the Goose Lake International Music Festival. I also took some silent footage but I have no idea what happened to it. A memorable weekend. See actions taken by the people who manage and post content. Wheatland Music Festival - September 9-11. Standing ovations for all! Santanas Soul Sacrifice, Janis and Little Richard, CCR, The Airplane the list goes on. Before she left the stage she said, I just sang the same verse twice and no one even noticed.then, she was gone! One of my favorite BCB articles yet. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> I was there and remember everyone being great except Join Mitchell! Sept. 1. The gal who said Jimi H was there probably saw him at the Atlanta Pop Fest the next year, July 1970..played a killer Star Spangled Banner at midnight with fireworks resembling our flag. The festival there had wooden fences that didnt hold up well when masses of people pushed their way in. In the summer of 1970, the Goose Lake International Music Festival was held in Jackson, Michigan, and attracted over 200,000 fans. If the fence had been up on Saturday there may have been injuries with the crush of people that would have likely occurred with people trying to get out of the stands onto the field to get away from the tear gas. Enjoyed your story. He came out wearing white and played the Star Spangled Banner. Well, over the 4th of July weekend, 1969 There was the Newport Jazz Festival. (Probably the same people who booed Dr. John, who was also phenomenal.) The lead guitarists name is Wayne Ceballos. Got to see most of the acts within a year or so of that summer. https://www.tshaonline.org, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/texas-international-pop-festival-1969. I saw mention here of a group called AUM. We looked at each other and said why drive hours in this rain- it is raining so hard lets just party here at the house, exactly what we did. Jeff has also served on the Nominating Committee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and as a consultant to the Grammys. Decent weather ( unlike Woodstock). . Hitched a ride to Castor & Cottman in Philly as bud was nowhere to be found. The Market is located within the new Pavilion at Grass Lake Community Events Park, 120 Brown Street, (next to the Car Wash) in downtown Grass Lake. I stayed mostly by the stage. It is true that it took place on August 15, 16 and 17, 1969, and on August 18, because the music continued until that Monday morning, which actually turned the three-day festival into a four-day festival. Wed made a hand-painted, very colorful sign that said Atlantic City or Bust and hung it above the truck cab. Robert Wilkins, John Fahey, Southern Fife and Drum Corps, Booker T. and the MGs, Moloch, Casietta George, Sid Selvidge, Soldiers of the Cross, Robert Pete Williams, Rev. Santana was unknown at the time and just blew me away. Then after the concert was over there was a massive traffic jam. With a combination of shifting wind and re-thrown canisters, tear gas suddenly swept over the crowd. King, and Led Zeppelin. Attendance. I proudly display it with other memorabilia I have from that era. Alan (Blind Owl) Wilson - guitar, harp, vocals. I was able to work, catch a bus enjoy some great music and get back to go work. Performers (likely): The Ace of Cups, All Men Joy, Birth, Beggars Opera, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Boz Scaggs, Chocolate Watchband, Crabs, Crow, Cleanliness and Godliness Skiffle Band, Devine Madness, Denver, The Doobie Brothers, Elgin Marble, Flamin Groovies, Frumious Bandersnatch, Gentle Dance, Greater Carmichael Traveling Street Band, Glass, Mountain, High Country, Jefferson Airplane, Joy of Cooking, Last Mile, Libras, Lamb, Living Color, Linn County, Mother Ball, Morning Glory, Mad River, Mt. The event, or "happening" as it might have been called back in . About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Slept at the race track. They surveyed the lot of us then asked, You havent got any marijuana in, there do you? Oh no, sirs! For some reason, the three-day Atlantic City, N.J., bash that took place over the first weekend of that August barely registers a blip in most accounts of rock history. Anybody with memories of the Miami Pop Festival? Remember walking in bare feet over lfields of broken glass and watching Airplane on the b&w video monitors in the racetrack clubhouse. Check out our music festival 1969 selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Outside of Michigan maybe no-one has ever heard of Goose Lake, but it was A Big Deal. Of course, linguistically anyway, Atlantic City does not conjure the same mystical /surreal qualities of Woodstock. Tickets for the Shell concerts will be available at time of performance only. As there was no camping allowed, festival attendees arrived and departed each day. Search for Festivals, Craft Shows, Holiday Celebrations, Music Festivals, Family & Kids Festivals, Marketplace Expos, Art Competitions . Songer teamed up with experienced Detroit disc jockey and promoter, Russ Gibb,[3] and his associate, Tom Wright, to help plan the festival. At any rate it shows what a gentleman he was for humouring me so many years later. As it happened, they never got further than the great Thruway Jam, so its just as well I didnt ride along. Was there on Saturday. There were restrooms and showers every 500 feet, medical staff, motorcycle and dune buggy trails, a lake with a beach,[2] and also the "longest slide in the world". Among others, Grand Funk played three nights also. Events happening in Grass Valley, CA. As we pulled back onto the highway, the troopers had their lights still flashing and followed us for a while. I was just about recovered from the Atlantic City festival the previous weekend, and I said, No thanks man, I just did that thing. haha! I remember the 2:00 a.m. freak express conga line that snake throught to campers outside the gates at night. 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