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Summer Jam: the forgotten US rock festival that was bigger than Woodstock 40 year anniversary: Forgotten US rock festival that was bigger than Woodstock
(about 2 hours later)
This weekend 40 years ago, thousands of music fans abandoned their cars on New York state highways worried that they would miss the opening of Summer Jam, a one day music festival. With only three bands booked - the Allman Brothers, the Grateful Dead, and The Band - the sell out event attracted over half a million fans. This weekend 40 years ago, thousands of music fans abandoned their cars on New York state highways worried that they would miss the opening of Summer Jam. With only three bands booked - the Allman Brothers, the Grateful Dead, and The Band - the one day event attracted over half a million fans.
With the chaos of Woodstock still fresh in the memory, tickets for Summer Jam were limited to 150,000 by organisers. Like Woodstock, many ticketless fans showed up anyway. About 600,000 - one in 350 of the US population at the time - caused one the biggest roadblocks America had known. With the chaos of Woodstock still fresh in the memory, tickets for Summer Jam were limited to 150,000 by organisers. Like Woodstock, many ticketless fans showed up anyway. About 600,000 people - one in 350 of the US population at the time - caused one the biggest roadblocks America had known.
By the time the bands had packed up and the crowds had dispersed, newspapers were reporting that there had been four road deaths, 50 festival-related injuries - including 11 drug overdoses - around 50 arrests and the birth of one child. By the time the bands had packed up and the crowds had dispersed, newspapers were reporting that four road deaths, 50 festival-related injuries, 50 arrests and the birth of one child.
Although the line up for Summer Jam was big on talent, the $10 ticket promised just three acts. Sadly, some of the recordings of the performances at Summer Jam were never released, which perhaps explains why memories have faded about its occurrence. Nonetheless, Rick Danko, a vocalist in the Band, looked back fondly at the event, saying: "Woodstock, Isle of Wight and Watkins Glen - those were the big three for us"Although the line up for Summer Jam was big on talent, the $10 ticket promised just three acts. Sadly, some of the recordings of the performances at Summer Jam were never released, which perhaps explains why memories have faded about its occurrence. Nonetheless, Rick Danko, a vocalist in the Band, looked back fondly at the event, saying: "Woodstock, Isle of Wight and Watkins Glen - those were the big three for us"
If Summer Jam was all about music, then the bands did their best to entertain. When show day arrived, the Grateful Dead went on first at noon. Accounts vary as to how long they played for - some say three and a half hours, others five. Jim Koplik, event co-promoter, later recalled their performance as "fine, but they really weren't cooking." If Summer Jam was all about music, then the bands did their best to entertain. When show day arrived, the Grateful Dead went on first. Accounts vary as to how long they played for - some say three and a half hours, others five. Jim Koplik, event co-promoter, later recalled their performance as "fine, but they really weren't cooking."
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The Band followed, but just as they got the crowd going a huge thunderstorm forced them off stage. When they returned the rain lashed-site had turned into a muddy bog that one journalist likened to something from the Civil War.		 Reading on mobile? Click here to watch video

The Band followed, but just as they got the crowd going a huge thunderstorm forced them off stage. When they returned the rain lashed-site had turned into a muddy bog. One journalist likened it to something from the Civil War.
The Allman Brothers Band came on stage last, playing for at least three hours, followed by a 90 minute closing jam with others sharing the stage for an extended version of "Johnny B. Goode,". The Allman Brother's five hour set brought down the curtain on a historic event. The Allman Brothers Band came on stage last, playing for at least three hours, followed by a 90 minute closing jam featuring an extended version of "Johnny B. Goode,". The Allman Brother's five hour set brought down the curtain on a historic event.
Music fans might have wanted Summer Jam to return the following year but their enthusiasm wasn't shared by the locals. No sooner had the site been cleared and local services such as fire, police and mail deliveries been restored, that the residents of Watkins Glen petitioned the local authorities to ban any more large gatherings.
Those that remember Summer Jam will say otherwise, but the festival hasn't stayed long in the memory of music fans. Other festivals such as Woodstock, Isle Wight, and even the infamous Altamont concert (see below), have passed into legend, whereas the one-day blowout at Watkins Glen has virtually been forgotten.
.		Those that remember Summer Jam will say otherwise, but the festival hasn't stayed long in the memory of music fans. Other festivals such as Woodstock, Isle Wight, and even the infamous Altamont concert (see below), have passed into legend, whereas the one-day blowout at Watkins Glen has virtually been forgotten.
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