Photo: LEFT:Blue Cheer, RIGHT: Frank Zappa. Photo Credit: Ken Davidoff.
Did you know that a rock festival in Miami was the precursor to Woodstock?
Fifty years ago, Miami Pop was the first rock festival on the East coast and as it turns out it was a bit of a dress rehearsal for Woodstock, as the organizers took the performers (Hendrix, Zappa, Chuck Berry etc.) North shortly after and created Woodstock.
Photo: LEFT:Frank Zappa, RIGHT: Hippies. Photo Credit: Ken Davidoff.
HistoryMiami is honoring the first East Coast rock festival, which took place in Miami five decades ago, with "Miami Rocks: The Miami Pop Festival, May 1968." The exhibition runs through Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018.
Jimi Hendrix. Photo Credit: Ken Davidoff.
The exhibition will display rare photographs by Ken Davidoff, who's well-known for his iconic photos of South Florida's pop culture past. In addition, the exhibition showcases archival footage and artifacts that illuminate the story of this groundbreaking event, as well as feature organizers Richard "Ric" O'Barry and Michael Lang, who later famously promoted Woodstock.
Photo: LEFT: Jimi Hendrix, RIGHT: Jimi Hendrix. Photo Credit: Ken Davidoff.
"Few people know that this Miami Festival is the precursor to Woodstock," says Zamanillo, Executive Director of HistoryMiami Museum. "Our own backyard led to that pivotal moment of Woodstock that changed Rock 'n Roll history."
Photo: LEFT: Jimi Hendrix, RIGHT: Jimi Hendrix, Photo Credit: Ken Davidoff.
In May of 1968, Gulfstream Park hosted the first Miami Pop Festival, the East Coast's first rock festival. More than 25,000 people attended the festival which featured bands like The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Chuck Berry, Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, Blue Cheer, John Lee Hooker, and others.
John Lee Hooker. Photo Credit: Ken Davidoff.
A second Miami Pop Festival was held in December of 1968 in the same venue. This installment included well-known performers such as Fleetwood Mac, the Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye and others. HistoryMiami Museum's exhibition will also include this musical occasion.
The museum is located at 101 West Flagler Street, Miami. More info at http://www.historymiami.org/
Museum Hours & Fees:
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00am – 5:00pm; Sunday, 12:00pm – 5:00pm; Monday, closed.
Regular museum admission: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students with ID, $5 for children 6-12, and free for museum members and children under 6.
