Altamont: The Day the Sixties Died

Altamont: The Day the Sixties Died

The Altamont Speedway Free Festival, held on December 6, 1969, is etched into the annals of music history not for its performances, but for its catastrophic descent into violence and chaos. Intended as a West Coast answer to Woodstock, a celebration of peace and love, Altamont became a brutal coda to the idealism of the 1960s, forever symbolising a stark shift from hopeful counterculture to grim reality. The events of that day, particularly the fatal stabbing of Meredith Hunter, cast a long shadow over the era, prompting a re-evaluation of the peace-and-love ethos.

The Ill-Fated Security Arrangement

A critical factor contributing to the day's disastrous turn was the controversial decision to hire the Hells Angels as security. Accounts vary, but it's widely reported that the Angels were engaged for a mere $500 worth of beer to provide security. This arrangement, recommended by bands like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane who had previously used the Angels without major incident, was viewed by some as a pragmatic, albeit risky, move to manage a potentially unruly crowd. However, others involved, like Rolling Stones' road manager Sam Cutler, downplayed the extent of the agreement, stating their role was limited to protecting the generators, not acting as a police force. The Hells Angels themselves, through members like Sonny Barger and Bill "Sweet William" Fritsch, maintained they were there to enjoy the music and were not interested in policing. Their agreement, as recalled, was to sit on the edge of the stage, drink beer, and prevent people from climbing over. This informal arrangement, fuelled by alcohol and a general lack of clear directives, set the stage for escalating tensions.

The perception of the Hells Angels by segments of the hippie community at the time was notably different from their reality. Political scientist James Miller suggests that some hippies idealised bikers as "noble savages" and "outlaw brothers of the counterculture," perhaps misled by earlier, less confrontational interactions. The Rolling Stones themselves might have been influenced by a less intimidating British contingent of Hells Angels who had provided security at a Hyde Park concert, unaware of the more formidable reputation of their American counterparts.

The Situation Deteriorates

From the outset, the atmosphere at Altamont was fraught with tension. As the day progressed, the mood of both the crowd and the Hells Angels became increasingly agitated. The Angels, imbibing their provided beer, grew progressively drunk, while the crowd, numbering in the tens of thousands, became more unpredictable and aggressive. Fights began to break out amongst attendees and with the Angels. Denise Jewkes, lead singer of The Ace of Cups, was struck in the head by a thrown beer bottle, suffering a skull fracture. In response, the Angels armed themselves with makeshift weapons like sawed-off pool cues and motorcycle chains to push the crowd back from the stage. This escalation intensified when a motorcycle belonging to an Angel was toppled by the crowd. Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane was knocked unconscious by an Angel when he intervened to de-escalate a situation, leading to a verbal confrontation between Jefferson Airplane's Paul Kantner and an Angel. The Grateful Dead, witnessing the rapidly deteriorating security and the incident involving Balin, refused to perform and left the venue. During Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's set, Stephen Stills was reportedly stabbed in the leg with a sharpened bicycle spoke by a disoriented Hells Angel. By the time the Rolling Stones were due to play, the scene was one of pervasive unease and sporadic violence.

The Tragic Killing of Meredith Hunter

The climax of the day's violence occurred during the Rolling Stones' set. Mick Jagger, already unsettled by the unruly atmosphere, urged the crowd to remain calm. During the performance of "Sympathy for the Devil," a fight erupted at the front of the stage, causing the band to temporarily halt their performance. After another appeal for order, they resumed. However, as they began "Under My Thumb," a 18-year-old named Meredith Hunter, clad in a distinctive green suit, attempted to get onstage. He became involved in a scuffle with several Hells Angels. After being punched and chased back into the crowd, Hunter returned to the front, reportedly enraged and heavily under the influence of drugs. Eyewitnesses, including Rolling Stones' associates, described Hunter as having a look of "murderous intent." As Hunter drew a .22 caliber revolver from his jacket, Hells Angel Alan Passaro, seeing the weapon, drew a knife and fatally stabbed Hunter twice in the head, parrying the gun with his left hand. The horrific act was captured on film by concertgoers and later featured prominently in the documentary Gimme Shelter. While witnesses reported multiple stabbings and that Hunter was stomped on while on the ground, the recovered gun and subsequent autopsy confirmed Hunter had methamphetamine in his system. Passaro was later tried for murder but acquitted, with the jury deeming his actions to be self-defense after viewing the concert footage of Hunter brandishing the firearm. The Rolling Stones, though aware of a disturbance, were not immediately aware of the stabbing, with Jagger heard asking for a doctor. They continued their set, believing that stopping would incite a full-blown riot.

Reactions and the Legacy of Altamont

The aftermath of Altamont was one of shock and disillusionment. The event starkly contrasted with the optimistic spirit of Woodstock held just months earlier. It exposed the darker underbelly of the counterculture and the perils of unchecked violence and poor planning. The media extensively covered the tragedy, solidifying Altamont's reputation as a symbol of the end of the idealistic 1960s. The event led to widespread discussions about the role of violence in society, the responsibilities of concert organisers, and the complex relationship between bands and their fans. The killing of Meredith Hunter became a potent symbol of this breakdown in order and idealism.

The legal proceedings following the event, particularly Passaro's acquittal, highlighted the difficulties in assigning blame and the subjective nature of self-defense claims in such chaotic circumstances. Investigations into the possibility of a second Hells Angel's involvement in the stabbing were eventually closed due to insufficient evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Altamont Speedway Free Festival?

It was a music festival held on December 6, 1969, intended to be a West Coast counterculture celebration, but it became infamous for violence.

Why were the Hells Angels hired as security?

They were hired, reportedly for $500 worth of beer, to provide security, a decision influenced by previous, less violent engagements and a perceived need for strong crowd control.

What was the most significant event at Altamont?

The most significant and tragic event was the stabbing death of Meredith Hunter by Hells Angel Alan Passaro during the Rolling Stones' performance.

How did Altamont affect the perception of the 1960s?

Altamont is widely seen as marking the end of the optimistic, peace-and-love idealism of the 1960s, highlighting the era's descent into darker realities.

Was Alan Passaro convicted for the killing?

No, Alan Passaro was tried for murder but acquitted after a jury determined he acted in self-defense.

Conclusion

Altamont stands as a stark reminder of how rapidly idealism can curdle into violence when miscalculation, intoxication, and poorly defined roles converge. The day the music died, or at least, the day the innocence of the 1960s was brutally extinguished, Altamont remains a pivotal, albeit tragic, moment in cultural history, a cautionary tale about the complexities of mass gatherings and the often-brutal realities that can lie beneath the surface of utopian dreams. The rolling stones' performance that night, forever linked to the tragedy, serves as a somber testament to the era's profound shifts.

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