STeVE remembers it well.
Feb 7, 2021 9:59:13 GMT
Post by Norman ‘Whiplash’ Mailer on Feb 7, 2021 9:59:13 GMT
forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/anyone-remember-the-free-moody-blues-love-in-concert-at-elysian-park-la-in-1969.158227/
Steve, August 21, 2008
Bhazen
Joel1963
STeVe
TeacFan
STeVe (August 30, 2008)
PROG U.K.
STeVe (last night)
forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/1969-moody-blues-free-concert.955058/
Aiden (May 3, 2020)
No response.
Steve, August 21, 2008
It started for me like this:
Word among the older kids who were at a Jefferson Airplane/Moody Blues concert at the Forum in the fall of 1969 was that the Moody Blues Mellotron gear was held up in customs so they missed their part of the show. They promised (via their manager) that they would show up near the Police Academy in Elysian Park on Sunday morning and give a free concert on the grass there.
So, this info filtered down to us younger people (my best bud John Oteri's brother told us about it that night) and we were determined to go (big fan of "Days Of Future Past" at that time). We convinced the brother to drive to Elysian Park.
Sure enough, on Sunday at 11 am, there were the Moody Blues setting up, full rig, PA system and about 500 of us. It was a real happening, just like you would read about in the history books. Pretty girls in peasant skirts blowing bubbles, etc. Hippies mingling with police trainees. Peace symbols painted on amplifiers, love beads and everything. A Love-In. We ran into several girls from our school who had also heard the word. Trust me, these girls would never talk to us in school but here it was different, sort of like a secret club and we hung out together and watched the show. One of the girls (Sue Butterworth was her name, she had just turned 14) gave us our own love beads. When I got home my dad asked me what the heck I was wearing, heh.
The Moody Blues did an amazing gig, fully two hours, doing all of their famous stuff up until that point (including RIDE MY SEE SAW, NEVER COMES THE DAY, NIGHTS, TUESDAY, etc.)
We were standing less than 10 feet from them. The sound of the Mellotron close up was truly amazing. Actually made my jaw drop.
At any rate, I'm writing an article on this forgotten "happening" for the LA Times.
Were you there or know anyone who was? I am looking for photos especially. I saw some press there (dressed in drab suits with dark ties holding Speed Graphics) but not many amateur photogs there.
When I was working on MOVING MOUNTAINS with Justin Hayward for DCC I asked him about it. He remembered it and said it was one of the best gigs they ever did. He loved playing outside on the grass in the sunshine. I told him I was the tall goofy kid with braces in the love beads hanging out by the Mellotron.
Can you help with photos, set list, memories, etc.?
Word among the older kids who were at a Jefferson Airplane/Moody Blues concert at the Forum in the fall of 1969 was that the Moody Blues Mellotron gear was held up in customs so they missed their part of the show. They promised (via their manager) that they would show up near the Police Academy in Elysian Park on Sunday morning and give a free concert on the grass there.
So, this info filtered down to us younger people (my best bud John Oteri's brother told us about it that night) and we were determined to go (big fan of "Days Of Future Past" at that time). We convinced the brother to drive to Elysian Park.
Sure enough, on Sunday at 11 am, there were the Moody Blues setting up, full rig, PA system and about 500 of us. It was a real happening, just like you would read about in the history books. Pretty girls in peasant skirts blowing bubbles, etc. Hippies mingling with police trainees. Peace symbols painted on amplifiers, love beads and everything. A Love-In. We ran into several girls from our school who had also heard the word. Trust me, these girls would never talk to us in school but here it was different, sort of like a secret club and we hung out together and watched the show. One of the girls (Sue Butterworth was her name, she had just turned 14) gave us our own love beads. When I got home my dad asked me what the heck I was wearing, heh.
The Moody Blues did an amazing gig, fully two hours, doing all of their famous stuff up until that point (including RIDE MY SEE SAW, NEVER COMES THE DAY, NIGHTS, TUESDAY, etc.)
We were standing less than 10 feet from them. The sound of the Mellotron close up was truly amazing. Actually made my jaw drop.
At any rate, I'm writing an article on this forgotten "happening" for the LA Times.
Were you there or know anyone who was? I am looking for photos especially. I saw some press there (dressed in drab suits with dark ties holding Speed Graphics) but not many amateur photogs there.
When I was working on MOVING MOUNTAINS with Justin Hayward for DCC I asked him about it. He remembered it and said it was one of the best gigs they ever did. He loved playing outside on the grass in the sunshine. I told him I was the tall goofy kid with braces in the love beads hanging out by the Mellotron.
Can you help with photos, set list, memories, etc.?
Bhazen
I only wish I'd been there...
Steve, please let us out-of-towners know if (and when) your article might be posted on the LA Times' website.
Thanks.
Steve, please let us out-of-towners know if (and when) your article might be posted on the LA Times' website.
Thanks.
Joel1963
STeVe
So Steve, becoming a journalist, eh? Welcome to my world.:wave:
At any rate, I'm writing an article on this forgotten "happening" for the LA Times.
STeVe
Nah, just doing my usual writing stuff. I usually use a pen name.....
It's eerie that there are no file photos of this event at the Times. It's like it existed in a parallel universe or something.
My guess is that there are a ton of photos there but misfiled under something else. I've checked "LOVE-IN", "MOODY BLUES", "HAPPENING", etc. but have yet to find the magic file. Probably won't... After all, it's been friggin' 39 years...:eek:
It's eerie that there are no file photos of this event at the Times. It's like it existed in a parallel universe or something.
My guess is that there are a ton of photos there but misfiled under something else. I've checked "LOVE-IN", "MOODY BLUES", "HAPPENING", etc. but have yet to find the magic file. Probably won't... After all, it's been friggin' 39 years...:eek:
TeacFan
Steve..you will tell us when the Times :cry: runs this?
STeVe (August 30, 2008)
Sure.
PROG U.K.
Steve, how is the article coming along?
STeVe (last night)
A good memory...
forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/1969-moody-blues-free-concert.955058/
Aiden (May 3, 2020)
Steve,
Just did a search on the November 1, 1969 free concert at the Elysian Fields. Moody Blues and Jefferson Airplane performed. I found your 2008 post looking for photos and info on the concert, you were writing a story for the LA Times.
I was in Marine training at the time and went to the concert with my super short hair and had a ball.
Did you write the article? If so, can you direct me to a copy? Did you find any photos?
Thanks
Just did a search on the November 1, 1969 free concert at the Elysian Fields. Moody Blues and Jefferson Airplane performed. I found your 2008 post looking for photos and info on the concert, you were writing a story for the LA Times.
I was in Marine training at the time and went to the concert with my super short hair and had a ball.
Did you write the article? If so, can you direct me to a copy? Did you find any photos?
Thanks
No response.