1. Things Start to Get Heavy Cream Eric Clapton (guitar), Ginger Baker (drums), & Jack Bruce (bass) –Clapton & Baker had both played w/ Bruce previously in different bands Called themselves Cream b/c they were the “cream of the crop” –Clapton was considered the best blues guitarist in England but was still relatively unknown in the US Along with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, made a huge impact on popular music of the time –Because of their influence, rock guitarists start to favor a heavily distorted sound

2. Formed in 1968 when Baker left Graham Bond’s Organization, Bruce left Manfred Mann & Clapton left John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers –In 3 years, sold 15 million records; played to fans across U.S. & Europe and redefined the instrumentalist’s role in rock Had a heavy yet technically proficient sound that influenced all types of genres as Rock progresses –Led Zeppelin & Deep Purple (hard rock), Rush (prog. rock), Allman Bros. Band, Grateful Dead (jam bands), and Black Sabbath (heavy metal) Cream’s biggest U.S. hit: Sunshine of Your Love (#5, 1968), White Room (#6, 1968), a cover of Robert Johnson’s Crossroads (#28, 1969) Baker & Bruce previous problems caused the group to break up in November 1968 1993 – inducted into the RRHoF

3. Music Festivals Woodstock Music & Art Fair August 15-18, 1969 Held on Max Yasgur’s 600 acre farm near Bethel, NY Estimated that 400-450,000 people attended over the course of the 3 days Considered one of the most important moments in rock history Captured in the successful 1970 documentary Woodstock – promoters were $1.4 million in debt after the concert –The film won an Oscar & paid off the debt

4. Tickets cost $18 (advance) $24 (gate) –2009 value - $180 Estimated that 200,000 would attend Very peaceful, considering # of attendees –1999 Woodstock Festival marred by violence and rioting –2 fatalities, 2 births, & 4 reported miscarriages Sullivan Co, NY was declared a disaster area 20 th, 30 th, & 35 th anniversary concerts were held in 1989, 1999, & 2004 –Never managed to recapture the feel of the original concert

5. 32 Bands played over the course of 3 days –Richie Havens (opening act) –Joan Baez –Country Joe McDonald –Santana –Canned Heat –Mountain –Grateful Dead –Creedance Clearwater Revival –Janis Joplin –The Who –Jefferson Airplane –Joe Cocker –The band –Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young –Jimi Hendrix (closing act) Bands that declined invitations The Beatles (in the process of breaking up) Led Zeppelin (stage US tour) Bob Dylan (personal reasons) Jethro Tull The Doors (actually wanted to perform, but they were turned down by the promoters)

6. Isle of Wight Festival 1968-70, 2002-present 1969 – held 8 days after Woodstock ended –300,000 estimated attendance Bob Dylan, Black Sabbath, The Who –Bob Dylan plays 1 st concert since motorcycle wreck 2 yrs earlier 1970 – over 600,000 attended Over 50 bands –Many who played Woodstock and several who passed on Woodstock –The Who, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Jethro Tull, Miles Davis, Chicago, Donovan –Hendrix headlined (last live performance)

7. Altamont Free Concert Sat. Dec 6, 1969; Altamont Speedway Organized by the Rolling Stones –Suppose to be “Woodstock west” Bands (in order of appearance) –Santana –Jefferson Airplane –The Flying Burrito Brothers –Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young –The Grateful Dead (left the concert before they were due to go on) –The Rolling Stones

8. 300,000 attended –Concert marked by violence form the start –1 homicide, 3 accidental deaths By some accounts, the Hells Angels had been hired by the Rolling Stone as security –Paid $500 worth of beer to keep fans off the stage –Fans became violent over crowding –Meredith Hunter was stabbed to death by a Hells Angel after he pulled a gun –The Rolling Stones were afraid to stop playing b/c things might get more violent Thought this was suppose to be another Woodstock, this concert ended the era of peace, love & music