Monterey Pop
Artist: Various
Studio: Eagle Eye Media
Review Date: June 17, 2012
 
Forty-five years ago this very weekend, the historic Monterey International Pop Festival took place in Monterey, California.  Thirty two acts from the United States and England appeared on its stage, performing a wide range of genres of music both nearly around the clock for three days.  The three days of music was captured on film and, this weekend, the world acknowledged the 45th anniversary of that festival by screening Monterey Pop in its entirety.

The mammoth musical event was the brain-child of legendary music mogul, Lou Adler and John Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas. They took on the insane task of amassing a wide range of talent to perform during those three days.  From Big Brother and the Holding Company and Janis Joplin to Lou Rawls, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, the Grateful Dead and Al Kooper and many, many other acts who went on to be iconic in musical stature and history.

Music historians have since compared the well organized, business-like operation to its predecessors and served as the benchmark by which future festivals were measured against.  Monterey set the standards of excellence that would make future festivals successful and – even in the communal world of love, peace and rock and roll – profitable.

Over the years, lost footage has found and been integrated into the film we have today.  This DVD is a must have for music historians and buffs, rock history fans as well as fans of the various artists featured in this epic film.  This weekend, Mr. Adler will be presented a tribute to his monumental work on this historic festival and resulting film and will take part in a Q&A about it.

Most of us can’t make that incredible event but we can own our own copy of the movie commemorating those historic three days in June that took place forty-five years ago.  Thank you, Mr. Adler – and you, too, Mr. Phillips (rest in peace) – for having the guts and the intelligence to make music history.