People’s Fair: 1970
A People’s Fair held near Steven’s Point, Wisconsin on June 26-28, 1970, was marred by band no-shows and bad behavior, according to an account in the Insider. Drugs were rampant, there were no police except the six helicopters hovering above, there was garbage everywhere, and a bunch of bikers came on Sunday and literally shot and beat people. Many people left before the headliners appeared. The list of acts that were supposed to perform includes:
- Chuck Berry
- Paul Butterfield
- Taj Mahal – cancelled at the last minute
- Steve Miller – backed out
- S.R.C.
- Crow
- Buddy Rich
- Buffy Sainte-Marie
- Johnny Winter – backed out
- Mason Proffit
- Ravi Shankar
- Ides of March
- Terry Reid