HAMPTON, Ga.-
The blond boy
in the Ben Franklin glasses did a sort of buck dance as the Canned Heat played
a boogie. He'd began at it for
more than an hour tirelessly Ð his shirt tied around his waist giving -him the
tribal appearance he probably sought.
His friend beside him had
long curls and was similarly dressed. On a downbeat the curly headed youth
stretched his arms to tomorrowÕs sun and dropped to his knees in a frenzied
shiver.
No one in the darkened infield at Atlanta International Raceway, the scene of the Atlanta
International Pop Festival Friday and Saturday, paid any attention to either
boy.
All
were having their own scene. Digging themselves.
The
festival was a success.
The
promoters poor-mouthed the financial situation but the size of the audience, an
estimated 130,000 for the two days, indicated otherwise.
And it was successful from a general
standpoint.
The
crowd was orderly. attentive, responsive. No major outbreaks, no rioting, no
mass arrests.
And
the Music for those who appreciate modern pop music modern pop music, was
exceptional. The sound was good and the performers gave their best.
Some
drank alcohol-beer, wine - others abstained or played with marijuana and drugs.
ÒWhat
are you drinking? Can I have some?Ó a youth with shoulder length hair asked a
spectator.
"It's
a screwdriver. Vodka and orange juice. Help
yourself.Ó
ÒNo man, no alcohol Just
lemme have some of your ice.Ó
The
promoters were critical of mention of drugs in earlier news reports. Someone in
the headquarters trailer underlined drug words in a news story.
Just then a boy 14 entered
the mobile office. "Can
I use the phone? It's an
emergency."
"What's the
matter?"
"My friend.. My best
friend, He's freaked out. I want to call my mom to come get us"
"What happened to
him?"
Too much dope and beer"
"How old is he?"
"He's 15."
The
complaints of sensationalizing the drug angle stopped for a time.
A
father used the festival as an object lesson for his son, a boy with a crewcut
of about 13. They stood at the
window of the first aid trailer as shots were administered to a homely
red-headed girl who apparently was on a "bummer," (bad trip).
THE
ORDERLINESS of the crowd, despite minor problems and temperatures that pushed
100 both days, was amazing.
The
crowd sat patiently during three power failures the first night. "If that
had happened anywhere west of the Mississippi the place would have been torn to
the ground," one of the promoters said in referring to the delays.
When
the heat soared the masses sought the comfort of fire hoses instead of
complaining. Thousands skittered about begging for more as firemen showered
them with welcome water.
Despite
the body odors of thousands of tightly packed music fans, despite the knee-deep
watermelon rinds and beer cans, they behaved.
The
masterminds, too, did their thing to maintain order. Private police were used.
No one would confirm the reason why civil police forces were asked to stay
outside the gates, but it seemed likely a single narcotics bust could rail to a
major disruption
AT
10 P.M. a runner reported that 1 1,000 persons were outside the main gate
screaming to be let in.
ÒLet
Ôem in,Ó one of the bosses said.
ÒWe
got. four or five more hours of concert left. You gonna give it to them free,Ó
another of the festival brass argued.
"We
don't want trouble. Let' em in," the first said, winning the argument.
Backstage
was a minor disagreement about the performance schedule. Apparently managers
for Janis Joplin and the Blood, Sweat and Tears both wanted their group to go
on some place other than last. A compromise was reached among the two stellar
attractions as Joe Cocker and the Grease Band was slated for the final spot.
The bass player with Cocker's group got wind of the change and stormed the main
trailer seeking confirmation. "ItÕs not fair. They'll leave after Joplin
The top attraction oughta go last,' the musician said a a very British accent.
The foul-mouthed, booming, revoiced Miss Joplin finished and half got up to
leave.
Cocker
came on with a bellowing voice that brought goose humps and gave one of the
outstanding performance of the festival. For MANY, if they heard him at all, it
was with their backs to the stage as they left the infield homeward bound.
It was a shame... . The bass
player was right.