Altamont Speedway Free Concert 50th Anniversary
Livermore is known worldwide for its wine industry, but the city's lore is marred by one of the darkest days in rock-and-roll history. December 6, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the infamous Altamont Speedway Free Festival, headlined by The Rolling Stones and documented in the film, Gimme Shelter.
Woodstock and Altamont (1969)
The Altamont concert was held four months after the Woodstock Music Festival, a peaceful three-day celebration in Bethel, New York. In response to criticism for high ticket prices, the Stones planned to end their 1969 U.S. tour on a positive note by offering a free concert in San Francisco.
The Altamont concert was held four months after the Woodstock Music Festival, a peaceful three-day celebration in Bethel, New York. In response to criticism for high ticket prices, the Stones planned to end their 1969 U.S. tour on a positive note by offering a free concert in San Francisco.
In contrast to Woodstock, the December 6, 1969 Altamont festival was hastily thrown together. The site of the concert was confirmed a mere two days before the event, after deals fell through with several other locations (San Jose State University, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, and Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma County).
Among other things, Altamont lacked medical facilities and staff, an adequate number of latrines, and sufficient parking space. Many attendees simply abandoned their cars on the freeway, creating gridlock for miles between the Livermore and San Joaquin Valleys.
In yet another unfortunate decision, the concert's "security" force was bartered for with alcohol. It was rumored that the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club agreed to protect generators and keep people off the stage in exchange for $500 worth of beer.
Most of the spoils were consumed on the premises, from sunup to sundown. Ultimately, fifty Hells Angels proved no match for 300,000 energized fans surrounding a 4-foot-high stage.
Hells Angels Oakland Chapter Head Ralph "Sonny" Barger
I ain't no cop, I ain't never going to ever pretend to be no cop. I didn't go there to police nothing, man. They told me if I could sit on the edge of the stage so nobody could climb over me, I could drink beer until the show was over. And that's what I went there to do.
I ain't no cop, I ain't never going to ever pretend to be no cop. I didn't go there to police nothing, man. They told me if I could sit on the edge of the stage so nobody could climb over me, I could drink beer until the show was over. And that's what I went there to do.
Bill Graham, the most widely respected northern California concert promoter, warned organizers that the Altamont venue would be unsafe, and refused to promote the event. His advice was ignored, and by the end of the concert four people would be dead.
Altamont 1969
by Bill Owens
Three years before attaining fame with Suburbia, Bill Owens was hired by the Associated Press to cover a rock concert at the Altamont Speedway. The celebrated photographer reflects, "I rode my motorcycle to the event. I had two Nikons, three lenses, thirteen rolls of film, a sandwich, and a jar of water." December 6, 1969 is immortalized by the photographs captured that fateful day.
Carlos Santana on Declining to Appear in Gimme Shelter
Because of (legendary promoter) Bill Graham and The Rolling Stones, we opened a lot for the Stones, and they were gracious enough to ask us to open for them at Altamont, and we were very grateful to them to invite us. But I said no (to being in the film) because it didn’t show anything in a good light. That’s the best way to put it. It didn’t show the Stones or ourselves or anyone in a good light.
Because of (legendary promoter) Bill Graham and The Rolling Stones, we opened a lot for the Stones, and they were gracious enough to ask us to open for them at Altamont, and we were very grateful to them to invite us. But I said no (to being in the film) because it didn’t show anything in a good light. That’s the best way to put it. It didn’t show the Stones or ourselves or anyone in a good light.
The Day the Music Died
Fifty years later, organizers and fans refer to Altamont as a tragedy, many noting that the 1970 rockumentary Gimme Shelter only hinted at the concert's widespread violence and mayhem.
The death of one gun-wielding fan who was fatally stabbed by Hells Angel member Alan Passaro was captured on film. Alan Passaro was ultimately acquitted of murder charges, and many credit him for preventing further violence from 18-year-old Meredith Hunter who was high on methamphetamine at the time.
The Rolling Stones appeared visibly shaken by the turmoil around them, but feared that abandoning the show after a handful of songs would result in a full-scale riot. Unaware of Meredith Hunter's death, the band played eight more numbers, concluding, ironically, with Street Fighting Man.
Rolling Stones Live at Altamont (1969)
Sympathy for the Devil
50th Anniversary Altamont Speedway Free Concert
Colorful design represents the sun-kissed rolling hills of Altamont Pass, a rural area between Livermore and Tracy, California. "Altamont," accented with a sixties peace sign, appears above. Below the foothills are the words "50th Anniversary, 1969-2019." See the Altamont Speedway Free Concert 50th Anniversary Collection
50 Years Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969 Livermore California T-Shirt
50 Years Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969 Livermore California T-Shirt
50 Years Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969 Livermore California T-Shirt
Altamont Speedway Free Festival 50th Anniversary Livermore California T-ShirtAltamont Speedway Free Festival 50th Anniversary Livermore California T-Shirt
Altamont Speedway Free Festival 50th Anniversary Livermore California T-Shirt
Altamont Speedway Free Festival 50th Anniversary Livermore California T-ShirtAltamont Speedway Free Festival 50th Anniversary Livermore California T-Shirt
Altamont Speedway Free Festival 50th Anniversary Livermore California T-Shirt
Altamont Speedway Free Festival 50th Anniversary Livermore California T-ShirtAltamont Speedway Free Festival 50th Anniversary Livermore California T-Shirt
Altamont Speedway Free Festival 50th Anniversary Livermore California T-Shirt
Altamont Speedway Free Festival 50 Years 1969 Livermore Two-Tone Coffee MugAltamont Speedway Free Festival 50 Years 1969 Livermore California Adult Apron
Altamont Speedway Free Festival 50 Years 1969 Livermore California Adult Apron
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50 Years Altamont Speedway Free Festival 1969 Livermore California Budget Tote Bag
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Fifty Years Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969 Livermore California 2-inch Square Magnet
50 Years Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969 Livermore 2-inch Square Button50 Years Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969 Livermore 2-inch Square Magnet
50 Years Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969 Livermore 2-inch Square Magnet
50th Anniversary Altamont Speedway Free Concert
Bold design represents the rolling hills of Altamont Pass, a rural area between Livermore and Tracy, California. A peace sign sun is rising above the canyon curves, next to the statement "50 Years." Beneath the hills are the words "Altamont, 1969-2019." See the Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969 Collection
Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary T-ShirtAltamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary T-Shirt
Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary T-ShirtAltamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary T-Shirt
Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary T-ShirtAltamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary T-Shirt
Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary T-ShirtAltamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary T-Shirt
Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary Coffee MugAltamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary Two-Tone Coffee Mug
Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary Adult Chef ApronAltamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary Budget Tote Bag
Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary Grocery BagAltamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary Grocery Bag
Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary Square ButtonAltamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary Square Magnet
Altamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary Square ButtonAltamont Speedway Free Concert 1969-2019 50th Anniversary Square Magnet
Gimme Shelter (1970 Documentary Film)
Chronicling the Rolling Stones' 1969 U.S. Tour
Courtesies
Bill Owens: Altamont
Bill Owens Photographed the Hells Angels at Altamont, then Hid for 49 Years by Sam Whiting, San Francisco Chronicle, December 6, 2019
Santana Recalls his ‘No’ to The Rolling Stones by John Katsilometes, Las Vegas Sun, June 5, 2013
Hope Bright Landscape by WildOne
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