‘They booed Joni Mitchell and threw s**t at Jimi Hendrix’: The amazing story of the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival

[Born With The Gift Of A G]

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-ente ... 81921.html

[John Etherington]

I read that article earlier. It covers certain aspects of the festival quite well, but I don't remember anything being thrown at Jimi (unless it's metaphorical). Also, I don't think it was Joni that was being booed; only the disruptive people that she was addressing.

[John Etherington]

Here's a finely-tuned piece on my own memories the festival (I posted an earlier version here some years ago):

My own memories of the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 remain very clear. Although I appreciated most of the acts appearing, my main reason for going to the event was to see Leonard Cohen, who I'd only seen once previously. My friends who had come with me to the Isle of Wight Festival in 1969 to see Bob Dylan were also meant to come to this. However, they were not committed enough, and backed out at the last moment. Undaunted, I bought my £3.00 ticket just before the weekend (you could do that, then) and went alone; a kid of 19, who had just grown his hair to a reasonable length. I arrived mid-morning on the Saturday, and made my way as close to the front as I could; central, and just behind the press enclosure (about 30 yards from the stage). I edged into a small pitch of ground next to three people; a French couple and an American guy. As a benevolent gesture, I shared my food with them, and we got on well, and stayed together for the rest of the festival. Fortunately, the weather remained fine throughout the weekend. Although it was possible to just get high on the music and the atmosphere, I must have had a few puffs on a joint if someone passed one around. Come to think of it, there was probably enough of it wafting around to make everyone feel high.

One great thing about the festival was the fact that all of the acts appeared at the time of day that their music felt most appropriate: John Sebastian came on at the height of the good-day sunshine, and Donovan played his set on a lazy afternoon as children played and bubbles wafted through the air. Time seemed to stand quite still. The big-name rock bands (Moody Blues, Emerson Lake and Palmer, The Who etc.) all came on late in the evening or after nightfall, and used the stage lighting to maximum effect. Things being so great then, you just had to pick the people that you were least interested in, as an opportunity to go to the loo or buy some food. Hence, I missed most of the sets by Ten Years After, Miles Davis and Kris Kristofferson. Jeff Dexter played some great music between the acts. The tracks I remember most clearly were the instrumental "Amazing Grace" (which got played repeatedly), The Radha Krishna Temple's "Hare Krishna", the Beatles' "Across the Universe", and Cat Stevens’ "Katmandu". I only slept for an hour or two on the first night and as I woke, I couldn't remember where I was. I thought I was in a large dome with twinkling lights above me. I could hear an angel’s voice …"we must be in heaven, man!" (as Wavy Gravy said at Woodstock). As it were, the lights were morning stars, and the angel was Melanie singing "Mr. Tambourine Man".

Although the DVD of the event focuses on the problems that occurred with people tearing down the fence and so forth, from where I was sitting, it was possible to avoid any heaviness and appreciate the music. The only time that things seemed a bit uncool were when I went to the side of the site and saw some fearsome-looking police officers in shades and blue uniforms, with big dogs. However, I remember Joni Mitchell getting emotional when she said her piece about Hopi Indians and tourists. I also remember Rikki Farr's angry outpouring, where he said "we put one year’s work into this festival…if you ‘pigs’ want to tear the walls down and destroy it, then you can go to Hell”! However, when the fence eventually got torn down, the organizers had to concede that from then on, it would be a free festival. Naturally a big cheer went up from the crowd. Tiny Tim helped to raise people’s spirits when he sang “There’ll Always Be an England” through a megaphone, to rapturous applause.

Other acts I saw during the day included Sly and the Family Stone who played a rousing set, plus Ralph McTell, Free, Pentangle, and Jethro Tull. Appropriately the Doors came on as darkest night set-in. When Jim Morrison screamed "we want the world and we want it now", it really felt like it was going to happen. I remember how devastated two American girls next to us were, when they slept right through the Doors set (despite our regular prodding). They had come all the way from the States specifically to see the Doors, and completely missed them. Since I had had very little sleep for 48 hours, I occasionally dozed for a few seconds myself during Jimi Hendrix's set. As I dozed however, I was awoken by amazing bursts of his musical brilliance. This was the only time I saw him live, as sadly he died within three weeks of the event.

Thus, I hope I have put into context the state of wipe-out that generally prevailed as Leonard Cohen took to the stage. Indeed, many people were asleep by then, and remained unconscious throughout his set. A long-haired Leonard appeared wearing a safari jacket over his pyjamas. He was reportedly woken-up after falling asleep in his trailer. I sat there in the cold night air, and hung on every word with rapt attention. I clearly remember Leonard asking the audience to light matches, and saying "we're sorely in need of matches". Ironically (and until I saw the DVD, in later years), I remembered little of his set apart from "Suzanne”, "Sing Another Song Boys" and “Tonight Will Be Fine”. Along with Leonard Cohen, Joan Baez helped us make it through the night. I decided to avoid the rush and return home at dawn, while Richie Havens was still playing onstage; appropriately singing "Here Comes the Sun". As I recall, I had no trouble catching the coach and ferry back to the mainland.

Love and peace, John Etherington (copyright)

[John Etherington]

Did anyone else here see Leonard at the Isle of Wight? If so, it would be good to hear your stories!

[MaryB]

WOW John! Your recollection transported me there - I felt like I was sitting next to you. Thank you

[sebmelmoth2003]

there's a 6-part bio of joni on bbc radio 4 - 1st episode yesterday.

all 6 may be available from bbc sounds or your podcast provider.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ry ... des/player

[HugoD]

Saw the documentary Joni Mitchell, Lady Blue yesterday on Dutch tv. It also looks a the festival Isle of Wight and how Joni experienced it. Very interesting!
For Dutch members, it can be seen on “NPO Start” .

[its4inthemorning]

Thanks John, glad that you are blessed with such a good memory faculty. Until now my knowledge of the 1970 Isle of Wight concert was limited to the Cohen DVD, now I can appreciate that DVD with a spectator's perspective.

4

[sebmelmoth2003]

bbc going joni-craxy this week :-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00019d9

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001s52d

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001rz2l

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ryqp

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001rxvx

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000x0y1

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001l70

[sebmelmoth2003]

cry me a river :

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct03c2