Monterey Pop Festival

The Monterey International Pop Music Festival took place from June 16 to June 18, 1967.

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June 16 - June 18 - 1967

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Held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, California. It was planned by producer Lou Adler, John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas, producer Alan Pariser, and publicist Derek Taylor; the festival board included members of The Beatles and The Beach Boys.

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Monterey, California - Lou Adler - John Phillips - The Mamas & the Papas - Alan Pariser - Derek Taylor - The Beatles - The Beach Boys

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The artists performed for free, with all revenue donated to charity. Over 200 000 people attended the festival, and it is generally regarded as the beginning of the Summer of Love.

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It was the first American appearance of Jimi Hendrix (who was booked on the insistence of board member Paul McCartney) and The Who, and it was the first major public performance for Janis Joplin and Otis Redding (who tragically died only a few months later).

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Jimi Hendrix - Paul McCartney - The Who - Janis Joplin - Otis Redding

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Many record company executives were in attendance, and many of the performers won recording contracts based on their appearance at the festival. Several acts were also notable for their non-appearance. Several reasons were given for The Beach Boys' cancellation, which was interpreted as admission that could not compete alongside hipper acts. British musician Donovan was refused a visa to enter the United States because of a 1966 drug bust; Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band was also invited to appear but reportedly turned the offer down at the instigation of then guitarist Ry Cooder, who felt the group was not ready. While the Rolling Stones did not play, guitarist Brian Jones attended, and was hailed as the "king of the festival".

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Donovan - Captain Beefheart - Ry Cooder - Rolling Stones - Brian Jones

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Monterey was the first major rock festival in the world and became the model for future festivals, notably Woodstock -- although unlike Woodstock it was not a profit-making venture and Montereys' various audio and visual products still earn income for the non-profit Monterey Festival foundation.

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Rock festival - Woodstock

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The festival was also the subject of an acclaimed documentary movie entitled Monterey Pop by D. A. Pennebaker. It has been released on DVD by the Criterion Collection as The Complete Monterey Pop Festival.

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Movie - Monterey Pop - D. A. Pennebaker - DVD - Criterion Collection - The Complete Monterey Pop Festival

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