The Altamont Free Concert: a chaotic end to the 1960s era
In short: What was meant to be a celebration of music became a scene of violence and tragedy. At the Altamont Free Concert, a combination of tainted substances, a low stage, and hired security led to a fatal confrontation that would forever change the perception of the counterculture movement.
On December 6, 1969, the Rolling Stones' US tour concluded at the Altamont Speedway in California. The event, jointly arranged by the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead, was intended to be a free concert for the massive crowd of 250,000 to 300,000 people. Nevertheless, the mood shifted when numerous guests ingested LSD hidden within inexpensive Gallo Red Mountain wine. The venue was moved to the Altamont Speedway after negotiations for the original site collapsed. This change occurred only twenty-four hours before the scheduled performance.
Security for the event was provided by the Hells Angels, a motorcycle gang suggested by the Grateful Dead. While some supporters, like Grateful Dead manager Rock Scully, viewed the bikers as 'righteous dudes,' the reality was far more volatile. The Hells Angels injured several fans using fists and sawed-off pool cues, and even knocked out Jefferson Airplane lead singer Marty Balin. The low stage was only three feet high and sat at the bottom of a depression. A rope intended to keep fans back was quickly knocked down by the surging crowd.
The violence culminated in the death of Meredith Hunter, a young Black man who was involved in an altercation with the bikers. Hunter, who was carrying a .22-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, was stabbed multiple times by Alan Passaro, a member of the Hells Angels, after Passaro jumped on his back. Passaro was later found not guilty of murder after claiming self-defense. Hunter had been carrying amphetamines and methamphetamines during the event. He belonged to the East Bay Executioners street gang.
The tragedy was captured on film by Albert and David Maysles and featured in their 1970 documentary, Gimme Shelter. The event's chaos was also immortalized in music, referenced in the Grateful Dead's 'New Speedway Boogie' and Don McLean's 1971 hit 'American Pie'. The Maysles brothers were commissioned by the band to film the event. They also captured footage from other concerts during the tour.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Killing of Meredith Hunter
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