40th year AV of CT woodstock that wasn't (middlefield)

**IvanMike** · #1 08-03-2010, 02:24 AM

Played an interesting gig with my 60's flower power band Saturday - the 40th year anniversary (to the day 7/31/70 -7/31/10) of a Woodstock type gig that was supposed to have about 20 big name bands and 30,000 people. Seems at the last minute the town had a stupidity spasm and decided to yank the permit and threatened to arrest anyone who tried to put the show on. Melanie actually played using a Mr Softee Truck speakers.

Anyhow, we played in a town park that was either part of the site or right next to it. A few hundred people showed, almost half in 60's clothes and at least of them seemed to be folks that were going to attend the original. It was a blast.

A little intimidating as we were the only band and it turned out to be a more historic deal than I realized.

okcrum · #2 08-03-2010, 03:29 PM

This was the thing in Middletown, not the one in Bridgeport?

I remember the weekend before Woodstock going to see Peter McCann, Vanilla Fudge, B.B. King, and Joe Cocker at the tent in Seaside Park in Bpt. Crazy show.

**IvanMike** · #3 08-03-2010, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcrum

This was the thing in Middletown, not the one in Bridgeport?

I remember the weekend before Woodstock going to see Peter McCann, Vanilla Fudge, B.B. King, and Joe Cocker at the tent in Seaside Park in Bpt. Crazy show.

yep. Middlefield to be exact, but close to the border. 1970, so after. It was apparently a day that will live in concert and Middlefield infamy as they had a shot to host a huge concert and the town blew it.

okcrum · #4 08-03-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IvanMike

yep. Middlefield to be exact, but close to the border. 1970, so after. It was apparently a day that will live in concert and Middlefield infamy as they had a shot to host a huge concert and the town blew it.

Funny, I wrote Middlefield first then saw your sig and edited. Northern CT towns always confused me and I guess that still holds.

That's a drag, but I'm glad it turned into a fun gig.

**IvanMike** · #5 08-05-2010, 08:18 AM

I talked to my local pop culture aficionado here who actually saw melanie play at the venue 40 years ago. Turns out Middlefield wasn't to blame, apparently the promoters knew they were never going to get a permit and sold tickets anyway as part of a scam. Bad deal. Our show went better, but the audience wasn't as lively as they would have been 40 years ago! They did dance near the end though, much to the dismay of their cardiologists.

chokeslam512 · #6 08-05-2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IvanMike

They did dance near the end though, much to the dismay of their cardiologists.

"Attention everyone! Do not take the brown heart medication, I repeat, stay away from the brown heart medication!"