| Subject: Re: Stevens Point, Wisconsin (?) Rock festival 1970 |
Author:
John Thomson
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 19:49:33 07/08/14 Tue
In reply to:
Bob
's message, "Re: Stevens Point, Wisconsin (?) Rock festival 1970" on 16:41:44 07/29/13 Mon
>>I was there too with a buddy of mine... we had the
>bikers take all of our money to get in... then we had
>no money for food... just were part the crowd some
>folks gave us some chicken had a great time...I was
>just telling a guy that works for me about Ravi and
>remember the other stuff you talked about with Nugent.
> It was a crazy and amazing experience. we were siting
>right in the middle of the stage about 100 feet back
>from the stage... here is a flash back for you a
>picuture of the stage...
>
>href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Press-Photo-Peoples-
>Fair-Rock-Festival-Wisconsin-/280887653383">http://www.
>ebay.com/itm/1970-Press-Photo-Peoples-Fair-Rock-Festiva
>l-Wisconsin-/280887653383
>enjoy... not sure what triggered this thought but your
>thread really brought me back. BK
>
>>We hid in the trunk to get in on friday. Saw a lot of
>>bands that I do not remember.Drank from the wine/drug
>>mix that was past along from the stage into the crowd.
>>Ravi Shankar made us all sit down on the ground before
>>he would play. Amboy Dukes ,Ted jumping off the
>>speakers and yelling" I am going to hit the highest
>>note in the world and we will all melt together."
>>People were falling down all over the crowd. 2 days
>>none stop people coming in to the fest. and when
>>sunday morning came it was a steady stream out. One of
>>the seminal points in my life.
My band The Downchilds played that fest. Although we weren't scheduled to go on til Saturday night, our drummer wanted to get there to see Buddy Rich, who opened the show at about Noon, Friday. Hey, a 3 day party, what could go wrong? Entering the site, station wagons, straight trucks, all manner of vehicles were lined up like kiosks on either side of the dirt road selling to the masses. I bought a hit of brown mesc-which was a waste. To be truthful, we spent most of our time backstage and so didn't know about the tension building at the back. Although quite a few interesting things did go on backstage... Helping build, on the spot, a canopy for Ravi, who insisted it might rain... Chuck Berry autographing boobs and butts... Tripping my brains out sitting on stage watching Paul Butterfield and his band rip it up... Nugent going on whenever a band wouldn't show up. I think he played at least 3 times. BTW. As soon as it was apparent that they couldn't keep the PA running for very long at a time, Ted set up his own system that he carried with him and kept things going. Don't like what he has become, but I certainly give him credit there. We went on at about midnite, following The Ides of March. In the middle of a pretty smokin version of "Parchman Farm", this girl came up and sat beside me on the bench behind my Hammond organ and shared a joint with me-OF COURSE, SHE WAS NAKED!! That was nice. Someone finally carted her off. After a particularly dirgy "Just Like A Woman", we were tasked with getting our gear off stage. We made it somehow as the stage was taken over by people who I can only describe as crazy. I'll never forget the look in the eyes of guy who met me at the top of the stairs as I was doing the "Idiot Check". He screamed at me,"YOU'RE DONE!" "Of course, my good man, you are correct", I said, as I hightailed my ass to the van. I feel bad about all the shit that went down but I wouldn't trade it for the world! We've had some growing up to do, but dammit, the hippies were right! Peace, babies! JT
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 