The first of three planned open air concerts was held at Midway Stadium on June 26, 1971.

Performers were, in order of appearance:

• Tony Glover
• Muddy Waters
• Crow (subbing for Free)
• The Butterfield Blues Band
• Delaney & Bonnie
• John Sebastian
• The Band

Sound was provided by Magnum Opus, out of Boulder.

The promoter was Harry Beacom.  He had organized a similar event on the campus of Michigan State University the summer before that attracted 42,000 people

Plans called for:

• 200 Simms ushers
• 90 policemen (nine on horseback)
• Two complete stage crews
• The traditional hot dogs (31,000 of them, 600 of which were eaten backstage and in the press booth)
• Health food choices such as yogurt, granola, and carrot juice made from 160 pounds of carrots.
• 24 parking lots
• 130 first aid volunteers
• One doctor
• Seven interns
• Ambulance service
• Complete first aid station
• Free posters at ticket outlets while supplies last

 

 

 

 

 

 

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HOOPLA

People came from all around the five-state area to attend the show.  About 50 people camped overnight on a grassy area in front of the stadium.  When the gates opened at 9 am, about 1,500 people were waiting to get in; by noon the infield was at capacity with about 8,000 people on blankets.  The final tally was 24,900 ticket holders, according to Beacom.  The gross came to $150,000; Beacom said he needed $128,000 to break even.  Acts were paid more than $70,000 (assume in total).

 

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GATE CRASHERS I

Beacom estimated that as many as 3,000 people may have enjoyed a day at the park without one of the special counterfeit-proof tickets.

But many people were seen climbed over the fence on ready-made poles and ladders and there was occasional storming of one large wooden door next to the bleachers.  (On one occasion late in the afternoon two intrepid ushers at the door were swept aside by a group of nearly 50 – like King Kong vs. the islanders.)

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THE SHOW

The stage had four areas; while one act performed, stage crews set up four Hammond organs, four pianos, and eight Leslie speakers attached to a Custom 24-channel speaker system.  There were 24 microphones, but Beacom planned for 60 mikes for the next one:  “The problem was that a harp player would see all those mikes and grab three for himself.”

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CROW

How lucky to have photos from Larry Wiegand, bass player of our hometown heroes, Crow!  Thank you, Larry!

 

 

Below is a great shot of the stage.  Larry:  “Some of the folks on the right side of the picture are with The Band.”

 

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JOHN SEBASTIAN

John Sebastian was reportedly wearing the same tie-dye pants he wore at Woodstock.

 

 

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REVIEWS

Michael Anthony of the Minneapolis Tribune said of the crowd of 24,000: “Some people said it was the biggest attendance at a single musical event in Minnesota history.”  (June 27, 1971)

Dodd Lamberton’s review in the Minneapolis Star (June 28, 1971) was glowing, saying the event was a “great success…  Ample food facilities …  an adequate medical staff, and excellent stage and sound system, agreeable weather, and an amiable and cooperative audience.”

Lamberton broke down each act:

• Crow rocked through most of their hits, but he found their new material “weak in comparison.”
• The Paul Butterfield Blues Band “only had moments that indicated they might still be on top of the heap,” although Butterfield himself was in fine form.
• Delaney and Bonnie were a disappointment.  Their first two songs brought the crowd to its feet, but then they “drifted into aimless jamming.”
• He gave the best reviews to John Sebastian.  “Pages could be written about his folksy and easy-going, yet totally effective performing style.  Let it suffice to say that he got the warmest ovation by far (and deserved it).
• By the time the Band was ready to go on, people were getting tired and ready to go, “But the Band halted the exodus with ‘The Shape I’m In’ and continued with a set of rocking tunes that sent the crowd happily on its way.”