1969 Laurel Pop Festival
Laurel Race Course, Laurel, Maryland
July 11 & 12, 1969
1969 festival #24
Audio from a series of videos the Laurel History Boys did.
1969 Laurel Pop Festival
The 24th festival of 1969. I realize that there were other 1969 music events such as jazz, country, and folk festivals, but I am limiting my ongoing coverage to what I generally refer to as rock festivals. I included the Newport Jazz Festival earlier in the month because it included several rock bands as well.
1969 Laurel Pop Festival
Nice line-up
The Laurel Pop Festival does not make the list of answers when we ask anyone, “Name a festival that happened in 1969.” If we said “Laurel Pop Festival” to anyone, we likely get a blank look.
The line up for that weekend suggests otherwise on both counts. We should know it. Look at the line up:
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July 11
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July 12
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This post’s background audio mentions that five of the Laural Pop acts played at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in August.
Actually not.
Three did and I’ve underlined them. I again note that Johnny Winter played. The guy was indefatigable that summer!
Nick and Bobbi Ercoline
Perhaps the most iconic photo of Woodstock attendees (as opposed to Woodstock performers) is the picture of Nick and Bobbi Ercoline.
For Laurel Pop we have John and Debbie. I suppose had Laurel Pop become as famous as Woodstock, we’d recognize them today, too.
The picture of John and Debbie is from a site that attendees have commented about their experiences there.
Wet ending
From the Baltimore Sun: Lost in the smoky haze of 1960s history is The Laurel Pop Festival held in July 1969, which was attended by 15,000 fans and offered an incredible lineup of some of the biggest pop performers of the year. Held just one month before Woodstock, The Laurel Pop Festival ended in controversy as rain-soaked fans built bonfires with wooden folding chairs and refused to leave as the concert dragged on into the early morning.
Laurel History Boys
A site called the Laurel History Boys posted a piece in 2019 on their golden anniversary presentation of the event. Lot’s of pictures and information about Led Zeppelin.
Link to that piece followed by a video with an interview with Kevin Leonard, one of the Laurel History Boys.
https://laurelhistory.com/2019/07/12/great-fun-at-the-laurel-pop-festival-celebration/
1969 Laurel Pop Festival
Next 1969 festival: 1969 Forest Hills Music Festival
In re; pic of a Nick and Bobbi Ercoline the Woodstock couple. I read that they were still married. Is this true ? It would be wonderful if it is true, does anyone know? I’m just curious…
Yes they are!
Hello 🎼 I was there I was 17 ,I have some great stories to tell,I talked to Johnny Winters the first night. And was ask by the promoter if I would like to stay and I could sleep on the stage to make sure nothing happed to the equipment like the beautiful Hammond organ just in case it rain I would cover it up . He said for doing that I could have free access to back stage. The next day and help out .I was a drummer so I loved this opertunity.
Getting late here have to go now I have more great stories. If you want to get intouch with me.
Yes, I was backstage like you and have some photos. Let me know if you want a copy. Later. Michael.
I was there both nights , on Friday night I hung out on the right side of the stage actually leaning on the stage rubbing elbows with Robert Plant watching the great Johnny Winter . After Zeppelin closed the night I remember they shut the power off on Zepp but they came back out with Breakdown . When it was over I just walked back behind the stage and saw Johnny Winter sitting on a hood of a car alone , I walked up to him and said Johnny you were outasight he shook my hand and said thanks . I saw some pictures of Zepp playing and in one of them I saw my young 17 tear old self over the shoulder of Jimmy Page . If anyone has pictures of Friday night I sure would like to see them , I would be eternally grateful . Bill
Michael , I sure would . Thanks