Concerts Of Doom

The Altamont Free Concert

By: Mikh | 30/06/2025

The Altamont Free Concert: A Tragedy in the Shadow of Woodstock

The Altamont Free Concert, held on December 6, 1969, in Northern California, has gone down in history as one of the darkest moments in rock music. Often remembered as the “anti-Woodstock,” the event was intended to be a celebration of peace and music, headlined by the Rolling Stones and supported by a lineup of popular acts including Jefferson Airplane, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Santana. Instead, it descended into chaos, violence, and tragedy, leaving one concertgoer dead and shattering the idealistic image of the 1960s counterculture.

The Dream Behind the Concert

Following the success of Woodstock in August 1969, which was hailed as a triumph of love, peace, and music, the Rolling Stones wanted to host their own free concert in America as a gesture of goodwill to their fans. The band had been criticized for charging high ticket prices during their U.S. tour earlier that year, and the idea of a free concert was seen as a way to reconnect with the youth movement that idolized them.

The event was hastily organized. Originally planned to be held at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, the location was changed several times due to logistical issues. At the last minute, it was moved to the Altamont Speedway, a racetrack east of San Francisco, leaving organizers with little time to properly prepare. Unlike Woodstock, which took months of planning, Altamont came together in a matter of weeks—and the rushed preparation would prove catastrophic.

The Hells Angels as Security

Perhaps the most controversial decision made was the hiring of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang to provide security. Paid in $500 worth of beer, the Angels were tasked with keeping order near the stage. This choice was made partly due to the band’s British management’s lack of understanding of American biker culture, and partly because the Angels had occasionally provided informal security at Bay Area concerts before.

However, this was a fatal miscalculation. The Hells Angels were not professional security personnel. Instead of diffusing conflict, they often escalated it. Their method of crowd control relied on brute force—using pool cues, fists, and knives against audience members who got too close to the stage.

The Chaos Unfolds

As the day progressed, tensions grew. An estimated 300,000 people had gathered at Altamont, and the lack of infrastructure meant there were insufficient medical tents, food stalls, or proper facilities. The atmosphere was tense, far different from the peaceful vibe of Woodstock.

When Jefferson Airplane took the stage, singer Marty Balin was assaulted and knocked unconscious by the Hells Angels after trying to stop them from beating a fan. This incident set the tone for the evening. By the time the Rolling Stones began their performance, the situation had spiraled out of control.

The Death of Meredith Hunter

The most tragic moment of the concert occurred during the Stones’ set. As they performed “Under My Thumb,” an 18-year-old African American concertgoer named Meredith Hunter attempted to approach the stage. Hunter, who had been harassed earlier in the day, was visibly agitated and allegedly carried a revolver for protection.

As he neared the stage, Hells Angels members attacked him violently. In the midst of the chaos, Hunter pulled out his revolver, but before he could fire, he was stabbed multiple times by Angel member Alan Passaro. The incident was captured on film by documentary makers recording the concert for the film Gimme Shelter, forever immortalizing the horrifying moment.

Hunter’s death became a symbol of how the idealism of the 1960s counterculture had collapsed into violence and disillusionment.

Aftermath and Legacy

The Altamont Free Concert marked a turning point in music history. Instead of celebrating peace and unity, it highlighted the dangers of poor planning, misplaced trust, and unchecked violence. Four people died that day: Hunter, along with three others who succumbed to accidents, including a hit-and-run and drownings. Dozens more were injured.

The Rolling Stones were heavily criticized for their role in the disaster. Although they had not directly caused the violence, their decision to play despite the escalating chaos—and their management’s choice to hire the Hells Angels—made them complicit in the tragedy.

For many, Altamont represented the death of the 1960s dream. While Woodstock had symbolized the height of the counterculture, Altamont became a grim reminder of its flaws. Peace and love gave way to violence and fear.

Conclusion

The Altamont Free Concert is remembered not as a celebration of music but as a cautionary tale. It showed how quickly idealism can unravel without proper planning and responsibility. What was meant to be a “Woodstock West” instead became a nightmare that haunted rock music for decades.

Today, Altamont stands as one of the most infamous concerts gone wrong in history, a reminder that music festivals are not just about the bands or the crowds—they are about safety, structure, and the fragile balance between freedom and control.

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