Monterey Pop Festival’s 47th Anniversary

The Monterey Pop Festival was the template music promoters used for future events, including Woodstock. It was held June 16 through the 18th in California to celebrate a "California summer."

47 years ago this week Jimi Hendrix and The Who debuted in America and Janis Joplin and Otis Redding were introduced to a wide audience. Big deal. Really big deal.

The idea for this American music showcase popped up thanks to an attendee at the Monterey Jazz Festival and was kicked into high gear during a conversation at Mama Cass' house with the members of the Mamas & the Papas and Paul McCartney.

Here are some of the coolest performances from the celebration of Rock-n-Roll.

1
Eric Burden & the Animals
The Animals played on day #1, June 16th. Here is heir tip of the hat to that weekend.
2
Janis Joplin and Big Brother Holding Company
This was Janis' big introduction to the world and she rocked it!
3
The Who
The Who debuted in the U.S. at this festival and never looked back.
4
Buffalo Springfield
Though the Monkees denied a performance slot at Monterey, Peter Tork was asked to introduce his favorite group. Here is that moment and BS doing there thing.
5
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix took the world by storm thanks to his introduction at Monterey. Check out this hot version of Wild Thing!

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