Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 22: Youth Culture and the Rock Festival

The major rock festivals have been viewed as seminal mileposts of the counterculture era. Not only were there significant musical performances from the festivals themselves, but music was created before and after these concerts to publicize and commemorate the events. Further, full-length movies of each festival were produced and now are readily available on video. Events such as Monterey Pop, Woodstock, and Altamont, although viewed in conflicting ways, have usually been invested with significant social, historical, economic and musical importance. While this unit may not resolve all the issues surrounding the festivals, a study of these famous gatherings can open a number of educational doors.