Held on the 25th Anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic weapon on Hiroshima at Shea Stadium, the New York Mets baseball park in Flushing, Queens, it was not quite a bomb itself. There is very little documentation of the event and its available details are hazy at best.
Yet the Summer Festival for Peace, held on August 6, 1970, was notable for both the first solo concert appearance by one classic rock star and one of the final live performances by another. It was also the first major rock concert for a political cause – opposition to the Vietnam War – and the first musical event at Shea following the 1965 and ’66 shows there by The Beatles.
The all-day concert boasted a fairly star-studded line-up, as can best be ascertained: Creedence Clearwater Revival, Steppenwolf, the James Gang, Miles Davis, Johnny Winter, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Herbie Hancock, Dionne Warwick, the Rascals, the cast of Hair, Pacific Gas & Electric, Ten Wheel Drive, Poco, Sha Na Na, Richie Havens and the Turtles. (Jimi Hendrix is rumored to have played but likely didn’t.) Accounts say its emcees were John Sebastian (who also played) and Peter Yarrow, and that the latter helped organize the concerts. It’s also said that everyone played for free; this a year after some were contracted for rather substantial fees to play Woodstock.
The stage was set up at second base and the audience was in the stands. Only a reported 15,000 of its 25,000 tickets were sold (though Shea had 56,000 seats). The crowd is said to have been more interested in drinking beer, smoking pot and digging on the music than rallying for peace. It was in the flight path of nearby LaGuardia Airport and the engines of low-flying jets competed with the PA system.
Simon & Garfunkel, riding high with “Bridge Over Troubled Water” enjoying a six-week run at #1 on the Hot 100 earlier in the year, were asked to perform. Simon decided to appear solo. “He was not received all that warmly,” Yarrow recalled (quoted in the book Fire and Rain by David Browne). After some in the crowd began to boo while he played “Scarborough Fair/Canticle,” Simon finished the song and left the stage. (He would triumphantly return to Shea in ’83 with Garfunkel.)
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Also booked was Big Brother & The Holding Company. The band’s former singer Janis Joplin was in New York City a few days earlier to appear on The Dick Cavett Show. She announced that she would be joining her old band at the concert. An account in the Village Voice merely reports as a parenthetical that it was a “…dynamite surprise appearance that started such rhythmic foot-stamping from the crowd that the stands were vibrating a full five or six inches with every beat.” (The same reportedly happened during Creedence’s set; it’s unclear which of the two bands closed the show.) Joplin also reportedly sang “What the World Needs Now” with Dionne Warwick at the concert. It was one of her last public appearances and concerts, as she died just two months later in Los Angeles.
Check out pictures of the Festival for Peace here.
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54 Comments
I JUST WAS WATCHING THE HISTORY OF JANIS JOPLIN AND REMEMBERED SEEING HER AT THIS CONCERT. I WAS ONLY 14 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME, BUT IT WILL BE ETCHED IN MY MIND FOREVER. WHAT A GREAT SHOW IT WAS AND I DIDN’T REALIZE THAT JANIS DIED ONLY 2 MONTHS LATER.
Me too,brother! I can’t find any footage on line, bummer!
I went to Shea stadium and saw Jimi Hendrix there . It was a concert that required tickets but the crowd was uncontrollable at some point and everyone was allowed in. Jimi Hendrix was right on the backside of the field and me and my friends were all right there …amazing and unforgettable
Hendrix did not play at shea. Likely you mean Randalls Island POP when Jimi played 2am finale. I was there, a great concert friday night, but they stormed the gates sat-sunday were free and it was a mess..The Shea event was unforgettable, one of the (maybe) best I have ever seen, poco, credence, simon, sebastian, janis (better than gesus mary and joseph) and many others and the I got the whole message very pure and spirit of the peace love was very strong and clear despite the simon boo… some new yorkers are very booring..even with the jets this was a HIT…thank you Peter Yarrow.. they should bring back all day outdoor concerts and put everyone to bed in a very good mood..since then I had written 400 songs inspired by this
music of 1970, the greatest year for music ever
I will never forget that day. I had just turned 17 two days prior and my older brother took me and my friend along with his girlfriend. It was my first live concert ever. What a way to start! We say front row along the third base line and watched all the acts enter and exit. The place was not crowded at all and you could pretty much sit wherever you wanted. It’s hard to remember all the performers that day but the article hit on almost all. John Sebastian definitely started the day as host and Peter Yarrow also emceed during the 14 hour show. And I definitely remember how the upper and lower decks were bouncing up and down at times, unlike any Mets game I’d been to so many time before. It was almost scary to see. It was truly a memorable day and I’m so glad I was there.
The stands were moving a lot. Sebastian played awesome solo harmonica. I think Tom Paxton opened the event
I recall John Sebastian opening appropriately with his song DAYDREAM. He was also MC.
I remember the floors bouncing up and down..it was crazy
Me too…Janis yelled turn out those fucking lights or I ain’t gonna play cause they were blinding her I was right in front of the stage she tossed her empty Southern Comfort bottle to some people behind me. It took like 5 mins for the lights to go out by that time everyone in the seats were stamping and yelling turn out the lights! I think she may have been the last act cause it was dark. She was unbelievable!
I was in the upper deck at that show…. It was a bit low on crowd half of the day but by the time the last few acts hit the stage it had mostly filled up… The warning for people to stop dancing & jumping around was completely warranted. It got quite scary! That show was full of some of the greatest music of the time period…. Janis was such a memorable moment !
I photographed this event. You can see my photos at http://www.oldrockphoto.com/shea.html
Great stuff, Ken!
Awesome pics. Sure looks like the stands were filled with more than 15,000. Really great backstage shots too.
Great story – thanks for posting the pictures
Were there any films made or music recordings? I was there. My first concert at 13. Really needed to use bathroom at end, but way too crowded after Creedence! Glad I went!
My first concert also. I had turned 14 that June. Unbelievable day.
Wow Ken , thanks! I mighta seen you there , was behind home plate with a Press pass that someone got their hands on and each time someone got in with it , they threw it back out for the next guy to use . Good thing too , I had no money to get in . Concert was between 1st & 2nd base , no question Janis was drunk , one of the hilites of my life was seeing Creedence live . Thanks again for the photos .
I was at that concert. I was 14 years old and it was my first concert. A couple things stand out. It was announced that if anyone got on the field, the concert would be over. No one disobeyed the orders. There was a tense moment when a beach ball fell onto the field. When a cop through it back, the crowd roared and all the tension left Shea. Also, when Janis took the stage, the baseball lights came on. She politely asked if they would turn off the baseball lights. She asked a couple times, nothing happened. Finally, she went into a rage and said “turn off the mother f***ing baseball lights!” I think she was escorted off stage by Peter Yarrow. They probably gave her a pint of Jack Daniel’s. A few minutes later she came out and said, “Well, at least I can see you.” A few seconds later, the baseball lights went off and the place went nuts. It was one of the greatest concerts ever.
Not sure if you’d ever check this BUT…your pictures of POCO are amazing
Great stuff Ken!! I was at that show also. I was 15 at the time. I got a backstage pass because I had worked for McCarthy for President. It was a benefit for Anti-Vietnam candidates. I remember seeing Janis on Johnny Winter’s lap. They were drinking. I tried to take a photo but someone stopped me.
Creedence definitely ended the show. Steppenwolf before them. Both had the stadium shaking. I thought the upper deck was goung to collapse! Janis performed before dark and was amazing!!!
I’m pretty sure Tom Paxton performed early in the day.
What do you remember about her performance? What didshe sing? was she with Big Bother or Full Tilt?
You are right about Creedence & Steppenwolf. Poco was the first band to rock the mezzanine deck – they had to stop the music and ask people to stop bouncing! I don’t think Janis was on the bill.
I was there. It was a mini-Woodstock. Sebastian opened the show at noon. Havens was a early highlight; he had the stadium rocking. I don’t recall Paul Simon being booed. The final three acts were Big Brother with a special appearance by Janis, Steppenwolf and Creedance. Much has been written about the smallish crowd – the stadium was half full. But for those of us who were there, it didn’t matter. The Summer Festival for Peace remains the greatest concert I ever attended. I don’t think it will ever be topped.
i agree! it was a great day, outstanding performances, rocking crowd! don’t remember paul simon being booed, either!
I was there…Creedance definitely closed the show. At one point they stopped the show and asked the crowd to stop dancing as the 2nd tier was bouncing up and down in rythmn. Perhaps Paul Simon didn’t play long – but he played long enoough for me to scurry up to the highest seat in the farthest corner of the stadium to listen to “America” with my babe and to watch the traffic on the roads below “singing” along.
What did janis sing with Big Brother?
wow- i was down in field level and yes when Creedence played the stadium shook . i was actually afraid. I also remember the cops that lined the field boogied away during that set!!
In 1970, I won, FROM WNEW-FM Radio Station (102.7), a 3-day pair of Tickets to my 1st ever Concert, which was at Randall`s Island 23 weeks prior to this Shea Stadium one..
At 16 years old, I was hooked, and bought 4 tickets to this Festival of Peace…Janis Joplin came on just as it was getting dark, and, as I remember it correctly, (I hope), they put the Stadium Lights on during her performance..she stopped singing and asked them to turn the Lights off..she wouldn`t sing until they did, and they eventually put the Lights out..this next part in my memory is schetchy, but I seem to remember that they put the Lights back on not too much longer after that, and I think she stopped again and started cursing at the Stadium lighting crew…can anyone verify my Memory of this?
I remember her telling ng the crew to turn off the baseball lights cause she want to be able to see the crowd
I was there too and yes they did turn the lights on during Joplins performance and the crowd started screaming that they can’t see so she stopped singing and said something like ” They can’t see.:I ain’t singing unless you turn off those f**king lights!”
I was there and Janis definitely said she wouldn’t sing till they turned off the lights
Wow. First time I’ve ever heard of this concert and I must say I’m so jealous of the kind folks above who attended. This is why I always wish I’d been born 15 or 20 years earlier. I’ve seen a ton of great shows in my time but wasn’t old enough to catch all the 60s stars that I love so much.
Why didn’t anyone record this?
I went with a friend to see the concert. I thought Peter Paul & Mary were there to MC. A stage was at second base & the crew from Fillmore East would push the bands equipment up on the left side of the stage & push the previous bands equipment off the left side. It was very efficient. I was sitting in front of the stage but a long ways from it. I had brought my binoculars with me so I could see good. I really don’t remember anyone drinking we were all sitting in the stands so people weren’t talking to one another that I could see. The early act that I liked the best was Al Kooper. He played a concert piano & only had a drummer with him. Al was fantastic, I never heard of him before. I wanted him to keep on playing & not stop. The drummmer took off his shirt, it was hot that day. After Al finished the drummer stuck around to see the other acts instead of leaving.
The binoculars were a great help. I didn’t see anyone close to the stage & maybe that’s why there wasn’t many pictures of the concert. Back then hardly anyone had a telephoto lens, actually not meany people had 35 mm cameras. As for Paul Simon he followed a group called Ten Wheel Drive. This was an all out loud rock band. When Paul got on the stage I’m pretty sure he wasn’t introduced at all, he just played & I don’t think very many actually knew who he was. He wasn’t booed but then there wasn’t applause for him either. Remember he followed a high energy rock band. He was obviously unhappy & got off the stage. An MC came up & told the crowd who he was & then the crowd applauded & Paul came back to play for us. It was just a misunderstanding. ShaNaNa was great & I liked the fact that they were at Woodstock. Dionne Warwick I thought had amazing legs.
I wanted to see Steppenwolf play but it was getting late & my buddy was getting kind of sick from the noise & the heat. I don’t remember getting anything to eat while we were there. I do remember seeing Janis getting on the stage & her hair was dyed green. The binoculars helped out for me to see her that good. It was like she just jumped on the stage without any introduction. I remember telling someone near me it was Janis. I thought she wasn’t singing so much as screaming, & I was a fan of hers. I had her first album on a reel to reel tape. I didn’t get to hear Born to Be Wild because my friend had enough & we left before the concert was over. I don’t remember Miles Davis, but back then I didn’t know who he was. I wish I had written down as it was happening that day so I wouldn’t have to rely on a faulty memory. At least I was there & it was an unbelievable day. George from Ormond Beach
I was 15. Peter yarrow chanted peace now all day long! Janis said turn off those freaking baseball lights.Creedence ended the show. Had to take the blue line back to port authority and bus to Jersey. Long day not enough drugs.
I remember well that John Sebastian appropriately opened the event with his hit “DAYDREAM.” I had driven from Ottawa with a friend the previous day.
Yeah Jamaica and Glenn Oaks was in full effect that day. Me, Irish Mike Murphy, Bevell, Knose, Malcolm Elder, Tank, the whole gang and Janice had her customary bottle of southern comfort at her side .and she really did say turn off the “fuckin’ lights ……we were like WHOA!!! We snuck in somehow and were holed up in the dugout facing second base and most of the guys wanted to get closer to the stage so they left out and me an Mike were just sittin there chilln out. After a while a guy came and sat next to us an we did small talk for about 20 minutes about how cool the concert was. So we were like “wanna smoke some hash”?
He was like “Naw, no thanks I gotta go soon”…I had to pee from so much beer so I went to find a bathroom and when I came back me an Mike continued to “chop it up”. They intro’d the next band and they started singing “Groovin” . Me an Mike stopped doin what we were doin and looked up and turned to each other and almost cracked our heads ..The guy talkin to us was singing and we were like “Holy Crap” we were hangin out with Felix Cavaleri….We were 15 years old. What a memory.
I was there also. Janis closed the show. CCR was awesome and blew the roof off Shea. The PA announcer asked the people in the upper deck to stop dancing. I was in the mezz and was actually afraid :). Hendrix was NOT there. He was at another peace festival at MSG about a year or so later.
Janis didn’t close the show; Creedence did. I remember this very well, as they were my faves and I was dying all day waiting for them to come on. When they finally came on and closed the show, all present were blown away by their short set. John Fogerty was on fire!!!
You are correct, Creedence closed the concert. Peter, Paul, and Mary opened if I recall and Iron Butterfly was there to play In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. And yes the upper decks were shaking. It got pretty scary and it was definitely worse than any Met game except for the world series in ’69 when Seaver was pitching.
hendrix was at the first peace festival at the garden. This was the second. And creedence closed the show!!
I was 14 and went with a friend, Lou, from our summer job at Hogan’s on the Ocean Grove, NJ boardwalk. He was a Sha Na Na fan I was into Steppenwolf. Had no idea what I was in for. The rolling stage on a stage set up with constant music from start to finish was what made it so great. Can you believe our parents let us take the train to NY and Shea from the Jersey Shore and back at that age? I guess it was OK with mine since Lou was 16!! They’d probably go to jail for that now!!
age 18, in the lower deck and most memorable concert of my life.. just fantastic sets and performers….hit on all cylinders and I left with the greatest feeling of peace and love imaginable, even if I was very high, all the music was good and so very glad to see Janis, Creedence, Simon, and Poco was a hit also…just amazing… we should have bottled it and never let go….I am the grandson of a first music publishing co. owner (wolfsohn bureau NYC) who promoted Yascha Heifetz, greatest violinist of 20th century.. so I know guud music!!! I’ve seen almost everyone since..but this concert was near the tops!
No mention of Janis Joplin being there, huh? I was sitting in the stands with Paul Simon until he got up to play. I just don’t recall it being negative for him. But, Janis, and the memorable “Turn off the FU*#ing Lights!”. Or Shea Stadiums structural engineer coming out to tell us to stop jumping up and down. What a day!
I was there also. I had just turned 14 that summer. It was when Sha Na Na played that the next level was visibly moving the most violently. I was very concerned.
I also recall that the bands had to pay $1000 a minute to play! Most played just one song. Janis was so wasted. She wanted to continue after the one song but someone picked her up and carried her off the stage.
It was billed as 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. And right at 10:00 pm someone came to the mic and said “ladies and gentlemen, all the way from California it’s Credence Clearwater Revival”. They played till 10:30!
I don’t recall Hendrix playing. He played there a couple years before in a large multi-band concert.
It was an awesome day!
More likely included most of these but not all…Creedence Clearwater Revival, Johnny Winter, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Herbie Hancock, Dionne Warwick, the Rascals, the cast of Hair, Pacific Gas & Electric, Ten Wheel Drive, Poco, Sha Na Na, Richie Havens and the Turtles.
No Hendrix Steppenwolf, the James Gang, Miles Davis The Shea event was unforgettable, one of the (maybe) best I have ever seen, poco, creedence, simon, sebastian, janis (better than gesus mary and joseph) and many others and the I got the whole message very pure and spirit of the peace love was very strong and clear despite the simon boo… some new yorkers are very boring..even with the jets this was a HIT… thank you Peter Yarrow…We should bring back all day outdoor concerts and put everyone to bed in a very good mood..since then I had written 400 songs inspired by this music of 1970, the greatest year for music ever.. (I am paneaglesong sol rocker founder of wildstock)
Hendrix did not play at shea. Likely you mean Randalls Island POP when Jimi played 2am finale. I was there, a great concert friday night, but they stormed the gates sat-sunday were free and it was a mess..
I was a peace monitor for the concert
I think I remember hearing about this. I was hiding out from my draft board at the time. Not that much fun:(
I can’t believe there are no comments about POCO. I seem to recall that Poco opened the show and immediately blew the crowd away. If they didn’t ‘open’ then they were at least one of the first few acts. I was a fan for life – Thank you – Richie Furay, Jim Messina, Timothy B. Schmit, Rusty Young and George Grantham – POCO
Poco was amazing, they literally “rocked” Shea Stadium..they had to interrupt their performance because the whole balcony was bouncing up and down! Also, Grand Funk Railroad played this show and I saw them again about 3 days later at the Fillmore East….
Best concert of my life! My first at 14. Hendrix was definitely not there. No Iron Butterfly for sure. I don’t recall the Turtles or Herbie Hancock playing. I believe the show ended first with Steppenwolf – then Simon playing only a couple of songs since it was getting late – and finally with CCR closing. I was up on the top tier and I believe it was Keep on Chooglin when we were really scared that the tier would collapse. Earlier an emcee suggested jokingly that half of the kids should jump up when the others jumped down. Janis had a purple outfit on and joined Big Brother just about dusk. I agree with the reports that she demanded the stadium lights be turned off. Everyone was chanting to turn them off but they stayed on. I recall Janis finally saying something like, “hey, hey this is actually ok. With the lights on I can see all of you beautiful people!” Everyone started cheering — then the lights went out and everyone went totally berserk! She was totally awesome! James Gang was in fact there. They were great. I recall them playing the Bomber, and ending the set with a Joe Walsh guitar flourish – then he put the guitar down and the thing kept playing by itself as the trio went into the dugout and only stopped when a stagehand touched it. Other highlights were a surprise visit by Johnny Winter And, Al Kooper, Richie Havens John Sebastian, and Paul Butterfield BB. Poco played Nobody’s Fool which the crowd seemed to really like (I loved it). Warwick was fine but she seemed totally out of place. I laughed the entire Sha Na Na set. I recall Miles playing – I was a little too young to get into it. The Rascals were great – Felix wore a superman – type shirt. PG&E were surprisingly good – Glenn Schwartz blew us away. Mother Earth, the Staples and Paxton were there but I’m fuzzy about the Country Joe set. 10 wheel drive was pretty good and I recall Genya Ravan singing. In sum, all of the bands listed on the poster showed up with Winter and Joplin the two surprise guests. After the show there was a reported controversy about the tickets – apparently, a lot of people were turned away from buying tickets and were told that the show was sold out. Not sure who was behind it but it was done since the concert was against the war. That explains why the stadium was only about half full.
John Sebastian was first and was also MC.