Were you there? We would love to hear about your experience at the festival. Do you have any pictures or video? Do you still have your ticket stub or the program? We want to make this site as complete as possible, so please comment below to add your story to our site. Click here to read more personal experiences of the Festival that we’ve gathered from all over the web. Thanks in advance!
One of the most memorable times of my life. 50 years ago but yesterday. We knew we were witnessing history and so lucky to be there, at only 14. It felt like an honor. And then Howie became a rock star himself. Makes me sad he’s not around to reminisce.
But I pat my teenage self on the back for BSing my folks into granting permission. And for bringing Grandpa’s old Kodak.
I remember nobody stood up blocking the view like at shows today. We sat packed in up front on the ground and everyone leaned back on the knees of the person behind. Peace, Love and Rock & Roll permeated us. I think a tiny bit still remains.
Photographer back stage at the festival with interview Dr Arthur Rapkin.
Hi,
My father Tom Caldwell produced this show. I have heard stories during the years. The weather was horrible and someone printed bootleg tickets. I would love to find an original poster!
Still have the original Blind Faith poster I bought before Friday night started.
I have all 3 of my ticket stubs framed with a poster. four months later I would find myself in the position of being Chief Security Officer at Dave Rupp’s Palm Beach Pop Fest Nov. 28-30 1969. There I worked with the Stones, Jeff Airplane and Janis Joplin among 30 other groups.
My wife and I had 3 day tickets purchased at Bidinger Music in our home town of Kenosha, Wisconsin. When I purchased the tickets I asked my friend Bill Balcom, who sold the tickets to me, if he would save the 4 sided poster for me. He did that and gave it to me when the gig was over.
We went the first two days, bringing brandy and Squirt in a quart thermos bottle with us. At the festival we drank our stuff and bought a lid of weed for $ 15 dollars from a kid who was selling LSD and weed.
All the bands were fantastic and Led Zeppelin, Blind Faith, Bonnie and Delaney, and Pacific Gas and Electric were unbelievable.
On Sunday we drove back up to West Allis and sold our 3rd day tickets for $ 5 each as we were to worn out to ensure the last day and the weather was crappy.
We held onto that poster for many years and my wife eventually sold it on Ebay for $ 1200 to someone in Manhattan, NY.
It was one of our most memorable experiences out of many in our 52 year marriage.