Tag Archives: Festivals

Bullfrog 3 Festival 1969

Bullfrog 3 Festival 1969

August 22, 23, and 24
Pelletier Farm, St Helens, Oregon

1969 festival #34

Bullfrog 3 Festival 1969

Bullfrog 3 Festival 1969

The Bullfrog 2 Festival

It is not a typo that this blog piece is about “The Bullfrog 3 Festival” and the poster pictured above refers to “The Bullfrog 2 Festival.”

#3 was actually the impromptu festival that happened when, facing local opposition, the Bullfrog 2 Festival fell apart a few days before its scheduled August 21 start.

It is important to keep in mind the often angry and hatefully divisive opposition there was toward young people who wanted to get together and listen to what had come to be called “underground music.” The residents of Wallkill, NY had successfully evicted Woodstock Ventures from their original site, forcing the festival to unexpectely find another venue.

Luckily for 400,000 + people, Max Yasgur said “Yes.”

While festivals of this time did sometimes have some people who threw off their clothes, some who used illegal drugs, some who sold illegal drugs, and some whose view of the Establishment was simply anti-Establishment, most young people were simply working part-time for the summer, working full-time since high school, home on military leave, or about to be drafted.

Bullfrog 3 Festival 1969

No chaperones!

Scott Laird wrote of the days before: According to original articles published in The Sentinel-Mist Chronicle newspaper in the week prior, Bullfrog II was booked by Walsh and Moquin Productions at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in St. Helens and was scheduled to include national acts Taj Mahal and the Grateful Dead along with local performers “Portland Zoo,” “Sabatic Goat,” “The Weeds,” “New Colony,” and several others.  The plan called for twenty-four hour a day entertainment for two days.   Advertising for the concert also called for “petite mall lites, space balloons, rides and fireworks.” Tickets were $6 in advance, $7 at the gate.

The day before the scheduled start of the event, Circuit Judge Glen Heiber ruled that the facilities at the fairgrounds were not adequate for overnight camping and sanitation and adequate traffic control was not available. He had agreed with Columbia County District Attorney Lou L. Williams who contested the original contract and stated a fear of  “…narcotics, intercourse in the open, and parking on private property, as well as a severe traffic congestion problem.”

Williams had also contended that “…sanitation, parking, and the lack of sufficient law enforcement personnel to cope with a large influx of people, estimated to be about 6,000.

And no chaperoning arrangements!

Bullfrog 3 Festival 1969
Bullfrog 2 Festival

On Wednesday 20 August, the day of the cancellation and the day before the festival’s scheduled start, some young fans  gathered in front of the St Helens’s Courthouse. Local people gawked at the peaceful assembly.

On Thursday 21 August 21 the group grew and that afternoon, the Portland Zoo, a local band on the festival schedule, performed. All remained relaxed. Gawking continued. Business owners enjoyed the extra commerce the crowds brought. Fans cleaned up.

Bullfrog 3 Festival 1969

Mrs. Melvina Pelletier

Again from Scott Laird: Around 9:00 PM on [that] Thursday evening Mrs. Melvina Pelletier of St. Helens offered her property in the Happy Hollow area of Yankton for the festival. Details of the newly created Bullfrog III were  worked out on Friday. Original promoters Walsh and Moquin had already pulled out of the event, and Bob Wehe of Faucet International Promotions took over as promoter, agreeing to provide sanitation and security.

Bullfrog 3 Festival 1969

August 22 – 24, 1969

The truncated festival finally got underway on Friday night and continued until Sunday morning.

Cars crowded the roads, but many reported that local residents were among the jam trying to see these drugged kids with long hair, shoe-less, bra-less, or even (heaven forbid!) topless.

And chaperone-less, of course.

Fortunately for the festival, the Dead headlined and fortunately for us, the set is available on a soundboard recording (SBD) or a matrix if you prefer a little more audience in the mix. And this wasn’t their first concert since their August 16th Woodstock performance. They’d already played in Seattle on August 20 and would play in on August 24…but where? Was it the Vancouver Pop Festival or in San Francisco?

There isn’t much more available about the actual music at Mrs Pelletier’s place, but we should thank her. A west coast Max Yasgur.

Bullfrog 3 Festival 1969

Cheryl Viuhkola Pelletier

In 2020, a Cheryl Viuhkola Pelletier commented (see below) on this post. I asked her if she had any other memories. This was her response:

Since I ended up marrying Melvina’s son, Al Pelletier, I do have a first hand, eyewitness account of the festival.  I’m also writing about it and enjoy the research you provided.  So, far, your account sounds pretty accurate .  I do have some tid- bits from Al and myself as I attended with a good friend.  The traffic on Yankton Road was backed up for miles and miles ( very narrow two-lane twisty country road), and the cops were making it worse.  So, we left our cars parked where we were and started walking.  The police were trying to stop us from entering the farm, when I see this good-looking , dark-haired guy riding a white horse, shouting out to one and all, “Follow me.  I know a shortcut”.  Of course he did.  He could walk those acres in his sleep I was to learn later.   Those were the days…

Thank you, Cheryl.

Bullfrog 3 Festival 1969
Bullfrog 3 Festival 1969

Next 1969 festival: Vancouver Pop Festival

Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Saturday 16 August 1969

Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

My piece of…

…the Woodstock Music and Art Fair was mainly day 2. My friend Tony and I had left New Jersey on Friday night after hearing about heavy traffic around the festival. Leaving 12 hours early for what we thought would be a 90 minute trip seemed a good idea.

Around the same time that Arlo Guthrie announced that authorities had closed it, we drove up the NY Thruway.

We arrived in the Monticello area within a couple of hours, but as everyone knows, Rt 17B was jammed. We crawled along for a few miles before deciding to pull off the road and park. It was dark. It was misty. And there were as many people walking toward the festival as away, the latter saying the festival was cancelled.

We slept in the car until dawn, got up, and started walking. Around noon we got to the field, put our uncollected tickets back in our pockets, and waited.

It was a beautiful day literally and figuratively. It was going to be an historic weekend. Here is the line up, their personnel, and set list for Woodstock Day Two.

Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Quill

Day 2 Woodstock Music and Art Fair

Quill started at 12.15 pm; played for 30 minutes.

Dan Cole: vocals
Jon Cole: bass, vocals
Norman Rogers: guitar, vocals
Phil Thayer: keyboard, saxophone, flute
Roger North: drums
Set list:
  • They Live the Life
  • That’s How I Eat
  • Driftin’
  • Waitin’ for You
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Country Joe

Country Joe was not on Saturday’s schedule, but trying to keep the music going once started required some ingenuity on the part of Michael Lang et al.

They recruited a guitar-less Joe with a strapless guitar and a found piece of rope. Joe’s solo performance has become part of the Woodstock legacy.

He  started at 1 pm; played for 30 minutes,

Set list:
  • Janis
  • Donovan’s Reef
  • Heartaches by the Number
  • Ring of Fire
  • Tennessee Stud
  • Rockin’ Round the World
  • Flying All the Way
  • I Seen a Rocket
  • “Fish” Cheer > I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Santana

Santana started at 2 pm; played for 45 minutes.

Set list:
  • Waiting
  • Evil Ways
  • You Just Don’t Care
  • Savor
  • Jingo
  • Persuasion
  • Soul Sacrifice
  • Fried Neckbones And Some Home Fries
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

John Sebastian

Like Country Joe, Woodstock Ventures drafted the unscheduled John Sebastian to perform to buy time for setting up the next group. The solo Sebastian started at 3.30 pm and played for 25 minutes.

Set list:
  • How Have You Been
  • Rainbows All Over Your Blues
  • I Had A Dream
  • Darlin’ Be Home Soon
  • Younger Generation
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Keef Hartley Band

Keef Hartley Band started at 4.45 pm; played for approx 45 minutes

Keef Hartley: drums
Miller Anderson: guitar, vocals
Jimmy Jewell: saxophone
Henry Lowther: trumpet, violin
Gary Thain: bass
Set list:
  • Spanish Fly
  • She’s Gone
  • Too Much Thinkin’
  • Believe In You
Halfbreed Medley: Sinnin’ For You (Intro) >Leaving Trunk > Just to Cry > Sinnin’ for You
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

The Incredible String Band

The Incredible String Band were scheduled for Friday’s folk lineup, but travel issues prevented that. They started at 6 pm; played for 30 minutes.

Mike Heron: multi-instrumentals
Robin Williamson: vocals, multi-instrumentals
Christina “Licorice” McKechnie: organ, vocals, multi-instrumentals
Rose Simpson: bass, vocals, multi-instrumentals
Set list:
  • Invocation (spoken word)
  • The Letter
  • Gather ‘Round
  • This Moment
  • Come with Me
  • When You Find Out Who You Are
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Canned Heat

Canned Heat started at 7.30 pm; played for 60 minutes.

Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson: guitar, harmonica, vocals
Bob “The Bear” Hite: vocals, harmonica
Harvey “The Snake” Mandel: guitar
Larry “The Mole” Taylor: bass
Adolpho “Fito” de la Parra: drums
Set list:
  • I’m Her Man
  • Going Up the Country
  • A Change Is Gonna Come / Leaving This Town
  • Too Many Drivers at the Wheel
  • I Know My Baby
  • Woodstock Boogie
  • On the Road Again
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

MountainDay 2 Woodstock Music and Art Fair

Mountain started at 9 pm; played for 60 minutes.

Leslie West: guitar, vocals
Felix Pappalardi: bass
Steve Knight: keyboards
Norman “N.D.” Smart: drums
Set list:
  • Blood of the Sun
  • Stormy Monday
  • Theme for an Imaginary Western
  • Long Red
  • For Yasgur’s Farm
  • Beside the Sea
  • Waiting to Take You Away
  • Dreams of Milk and Honey
  • Southbound Train
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Grateful Dead

Grateful Dead started at 10:30 pm; on stage for 95 minutes (with extended sound issue stretches during set).

Jerry Garcia: guitar, vocals
Bob Weir: guitar
Ron “Pig Pen” McKernan: keyboards, vocals
Tom Constanten: keyboards, vocals
Phil Lesh: bass
Bill Kreutzmann: drums
Mickey Hart: drums
Set list:
  • St Stephen
  • Mama Tried
  • Dark Star
  • High Time
  • Turn on Your Lovelight
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival started at 12:30 am; played for 50 minutes.

John Fogerty: vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano
Tom Fogerty: rhythm guitar, vocals
Stu Cook: bass
Doug “Cosmo” Clifford: drums
Set list:
  • Born on the Bayou
  • Green River
  • Ninty-Nine-and-a-Half (Won’t Do)
  • Bootleg
  • Commotion
  • Bad Moon Rising
  • Proud Mary
  • I Put a Spell on You
  • The Night Time is the Right Time
  • Keep on Chooglin’
  • Susie Q
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin started at 2 am; played for 60 minutes.

Janis Joplin: vocals
Terry Clements: tenor saxophone
Cornelius “Snooky” Flowers: baritone saxophone
Luis Gasca: trumpet
John Till: guitar
Richard Kermode: keyboards
Brad Campbell: bass
Maury Baker: drums
Set list:
  • Raise Your Hand
  • As Good As You’ve Been to This World
  • To Love Somebody
  • Summertime
  • Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)
  • Cozmic Blues
  • I Can’t Turn You Loose
  • Work Me, Lord
  • Piece of My Heart
  • Ball and Chain
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Sly and the Family Stone

Sly and the Family Stone started at 3.30 am; played for 50 minutes.

Sly Stone: vocals, keyboard
Freddie Stone: guitar, vocals
Jerry Martini: saxophone
Cynthia Robinson: trumpet
Rosie Stone: keyboard, vocals
Larry Graham: bass
Greg Errico: drums
Set list:
  • M’Lady
  • Sing A Simple Song
  • You Can Make It If You Try
  • Medley: Everyday People > Dance To The Music > Music Lover > I Want To Take You Higher
 

  • Love City
  • Stand!
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

The Who

The Who started at 5 am; played for 65 minutes.

Roger Daltrey: vocals
Pete Townshend: guitar
John Entwistle: bass
Keith Moon: drums
Set list:
  • Heaven and Hell
  • I Can’t Explain
  • It’s a Boy
  • 1921
  • Amazing Journey
  • Sparks
  • Eyesight to the Blind
  • Christmas
  • Acid Queen
  • Pinball Wizard
  • Abbie Hoffman incident
  • Do You Think It’s Alright?
  • Fiddle About
  • There’s a Doctor
  • Go to the Mirror
  • Smash the Mirror
  • I’m Free
  • Tommy’s Holiday Camp
  • We’re Not Gonna Take It
  • See Me, Feel Me
  • Listening to You
  • Summertime Blues
  • Shakin’ All Over
  • My Generation
  • Naked Eye
Day 2 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Jefferson Airplane

Day 2 Woodstock Music and Art Fair

The sun rose and the Jefferson Airplane started at 8 am; played for 100 minutes.

Set list:
  • The Other Side of This Life
  • Somebody to Love
  • 3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds
  • Won’t You Try/Saturday Afternoon
  • Eskimo Blue Day
  • Plastic Fantastic Lover
  • Wooden Ships
  • Uncle Sam Blues
  • Volunteers
  • The Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil
  • Come Back Baby
  • White Rabbit
  • The House at Pooneil Corner
Day 2 Woodstock Music and Art Fair
 Next…Day 3, Woodstock Music and Art Fair

 

Day 1 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Day 1 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Friday 15 August 1969

A little more time would have been nice

Whether Woodstock Ventures was ready or not, the first day arrived. As I’ve indicated, there were thousands of people already on the field by Wednesday and the organizers realized that without booths that selling or collecting tickets was unlikely.

They would dance with who brung them.

Rolling Stone magazine had this to say afterwards: “Chicago was only the labor pains. With a joyous three-day shriek, the inheritors of the earth came to life in an alfalfa field outside the village of Bethel, New York. Slapping the spark of life into the newborn was American rock and roll music provided by the Woodstock Music and Art Fair.”

Day 1

The following is a listing of who played that first day, what they played, and how long they played. Keep in mind that while the organizers were well-organized (despite the myths), keeping track of times and players was not high on anyone’s list (insert joke here). The following seems to be accurate, but not definitive.

Day 1 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Richie Havens 

Richie Havens started at 5:07 pm; played for 45 minutes

Set list

  • From the Prison > Get Together > From the Prison
  • I’m a Stranger Here
  • High Flyin’ Bird
  • I Can’t Make It Anymore
  • With A Little Help from my Friends
  • Handsome Johnny
  • Strawberry Fields For Ever/Hey Jude
  • Motherless Child/Freedom
Day 1 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Sri Swami Satchidananda

Swami Satchidananda addressed the audience and spoke about peace (6 PM).

Day 1 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Sweetwater

Sweetwater started at 6.30 pm;  they were on stage about an hour.

Nanci Nevins: guitar, vocals
Albert Moore: flute, vocals
August Burns: cello
Alex Del Zoppo: keyboards
Fred Herrera: bass
Elpidio Cobain: conga drums
Alan Malarowitz: drums
Set list
  • Motherless Child
  • Look Out
  • For Pete’s Sake
  • Day Song
  • What’s Wrong
  • My Crystal Spider
  • Two Worlds
  • Why Oh Why/Let the Sunshine In/Oh Happy Day
Day 1 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Bert Sommer

Bert Sommer started at 7:30 pm; played for approx 40 minutes.

Set list:
  • Jennifer
  • The Road To Travel
  • I Wondered Where You’d Be
  • She’s Gone
  • Things Are Going My Way
  • And When It’s Over
  • Jeanette
  • America (Paul Simon)
  • A Note That Read
  • Smile
Day 1 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Tim Hardin

Tim Hardin started at 9 pm; played for a bit over an hour.

Set list:
  • (How Can We) Hang on to a Dream?
  • Susan
  • If I Were a Carpenter
  • Reason to Believe
  • You Upset the Grace of Living When You Lie
  • Speak Like a Child
  • Snow White Lady
  • Blue on My Ceiling
  • Simple Song of Freedom
  • Misty Roses
Day 1 Woodstock Music Art Fair

 Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar started at 10 pm; played for 40 minutes.

Ravi Shankar: sitar Maya Kulkarni: tamboura
Ustad Alla Rakha: tabla
Set list:
  • Raga Puriya-Dhanashri/Gat in Sawarital
  • Tabla Solo In Jhaptal
  • Raga Manj Kmahaj
Day 1 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Melanie

Melanie played instead of Incredible String Band. She started at 11 pm; played for approx 20 minutes.

Melanie Safka: vocals, guitar

Set list:
  • Close to It All
  • Momma Momma
  • Beautiful People
  • Animal Crackers
  • Mr. Tambourine Man
  • Tuning My Guitar
  • Birthday of the Sun
Day 1 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Arlo Guthrie

Arlo Guthrie started at 12 midnight; played for approx 40 minutes.

Set list:
  • Coming into Los Angeles
  • Wheel of Fortune
  • Walking Down the Line
  • Arlo Speech: Exodus
  • Oh Mary, Don’t You Weep
  • Every Hand in the Land
  • Amazing Grace
Day 1 Woodstock Music Art Fair

Joan Baez

Joan Baez started at 1 am; played for approx 60 minutes.

Joan Baez: vocals, guitar Richard Festinger: guitar
Jeffrey Shurtleff: vocals, guitar
Set list:
  • Oh Happy Day
  • The Last Thing On My Mind
  • I Shall Be Released
  • Story about how the Federal Marshalls came to take David Harris into custody  
  • Joe Hill
  • Sweet Sir Galahad
  • Hickory Wind
  • Drug Store Truck Driving Man
  • I Live One Day at a Time
  • Take Me Back to the Sweet Sunny South
  • Warm and Tender Love
  • Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
  • We Shall Overcome
Day 1 Woodstock Music Art Fair

 

next: Day 2…Woodstock Music and Art Fair