This Week in Music History: Tragedy Strikes
If the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, held at Bethel, New York in August 1969, was the greatest event in rock ‘n’ roll history, then the event that occurred during this week less than four months later must be regarded as one of the genre’s most tragic. As does another concert that happened this same week 10 years later.
In a music festival dubbed “Woodstock West” on December 6, 1969, close to 300,000 fans gathered at the Altamont Speedway in northern California for a day of free music featuring some of the world’s greatest bands. Scheduled groups included Santana, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, and the Rolling Stones.
The Stones hired the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club to provide security for the concert, in exchange for $500 worth of beer. What could go wrong? Fans and the Angels clashed throughout the day, and attendee Meredith Hunter was stabbed and beaten to death by a Hells Angel when he approached the stage with a revolver during the Stones’ performance.
Three other accidental deaths and dozens of injures also occurred, with two people killed by a hit-and-run driver and another drowning in an irrigation canal. A number of cars were stolen and significant property damage was sustained.
So much for the peace and love era. Rolling Stone magazine called it “rock and roll’s all-time worst day,” while others referred to it as the metaphorical end of the Sixties. The ill-fated event was depicted in the 1970 film Gimme Shelter.
If that event were not horrible enough, a concert by The Who on December 3, 1979 at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati also turned tragic. Hearing the band performing a late sound check, fans outside the arena thought the sold-out concert had begun and started rushing for the first-come, first-served seats.
In the mayhem, 11 audience members ages 17 to 27 were either trampled to death or died by asphyxiation and another 26 reported injuries. The band was not told of the incident until after the show.
Here’s a quick look at some other musical notes from this week in history:
December 3, 1965 – The Beatles released their Rubber Soul album, featuring hits including In My Life, Norwegian Wood, and Drive My Car. The previous summer, the Liverpool Lads had met Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan, inspiring them to experiment more with their sound.
December 4, 1980 – Two months following the death of drummer John Bonham, Led Zeppelin announced their decision to disband after 12 years together. Eight years later, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones played in the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert with Jason Bonham, John’s son, on drums.
December 4, 1993 – Frank Zappa lost his battle with cancer at age 52. The incredibly talented and diverse musician was best known for work with his band, the Mothers of Invention.
December 6, 1965 – The Byrds released their iconic Turn! Turn! Turn! album. The single by the same name, which topped U.S. charts for three weeks, includes lyrics from the third chapter of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes.
December 7, 2016 – Greg Lake, founding member of progressive rock bands King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, passed away at age 69. The England native was a bassist, guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
December 8, 1980 – John Lennon, whose songwriting partnership with fellow Beatle Paul McCartney was the most financially successful in music history, was murdered in the archway of The Dakota apartments in New York City.
I’m afraid there wasn’t much to celebrate in this week’s trip down music’s memory lane. I promise next week will be more upbeat.