The Infamous Altamont Free Concert: A Night to Remember

The Historic Altamont Free Concert

Overview of the Altamont Free Concert

The Altamont Free Concert, held on December 6, 1969, attracted an estimated 300,000 attendees who gathered to watch the iconic Rolling Stones perform. Originally envisioned as a free concert to rival the famous Woodstock festival earlier that year, the event became infamous for its chaotic atmosphere and tragic outcomes. Situated at the Altamont Speedway in California, the concert was marketed as a celebration of peace and love during a turbulent era.

Performance Highlights by The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones took the stage late in the evening, giving a performance that would become a pivotal moment in rock history. Despite the surrounding chaos, including the palpable tension in the crowd and violence erupting, the Stones played a selection of their classic hits. The band's decision to continue playing amidst such turmoil cemented the concert's tragic legacy in music history.

Violence and Tragedy at Altamont

The Hells Angels’ Role

The security for the concert was controversially provided by the Hells Angels motorcycle gang, who were hired for beer as payment. Their aggressive tactics to manage the crowd led to confrontations and an escalation of violence. What was meant to be a peaceful gathering became a volatile situation, marking a stark contrast to the ideals the concert originally promoted.

Fatal Incidents in the Crowd

Tragically, the concert resulted in multiple fatalities. Notably, the death of 18-year-old Meredith Hunter during an altercation with the Hells Angels shocked the audience and became a haunting image of the night. In total, four deaths were reported, transforming the Altamont Free Concert from a celebration of rock and youth culture into a symbol of disruption and danger.

Reflection on the Altamont Concert

Legacy of Altamont in Music History

The Altamont Free Concert is often referred to as the end of the 1960s peace and love movement. It served as a harsh reminder that the counterculture's ideals were not always realized in practice. The incident painted a complicated picture of the era, filled with both the potential for change and stark consequences of chaos.

The Impact on The Rolling Stones

For the Rolling Stones, performing at Altamont would influence their music and image in subsequent years. The tragedy prompted deeper reflections on their responsibilities as artists and entertainers and the societal conditions surrounding their music. In many ways, it marked the beginning of a more serious, introspective phase in their careers.

Fun Fact

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test Experience

Many attendees at Altamont were influenced by Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters' Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, which promoted a communal and psychedelic lifestyle. This cultural backdrop contributed to both the celebration and chaos witnessed that day.

Additional Resources

Recommended Reading on Altamont and The Rolling Stones

To learn more about this tumultuous event, explore “Altamont: The Rolling Stones, the Hells Angels, and the End of the Sixties” by Joel Selvin and “The Rolling Stones: The Last Time” by Nick Kent. These works provide deeper insights into the complexities of the Altamont experience.