BONNAROO 2006

“AND THE BANDS PLAYED ON”  – BONNAROO 06

The tone for Bonnaroo was initially implemented during the eponymous festival of given magnitude, The Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.  Others of note would follow suit, i.e., Atlanta Pop Festivals of 69 & 1970, The Texas Pop Festival, Watkins Glen in 1973 and the most heralded of all clandestine gatherings, Woodstock in 1969, set in the secluded area of Bethel, New York.  The foibles of these Herculean events were often the same reasons for their decline and subsequent departure from musical folklore.  Various attempts were made by known architects of past glory but all failed by comparison and the burgeoning gatherings of the raging hordes that once settled on the hills of upstate New York and other noted arenas was destined for musical trivia. 

The epitome of any mass congregation will always be Woodstock 69, and it seems as if a linear progression would have unfolded during the course of 37 years.  Those of us who were the youth of America during those trying days of a turbulent decade, harking back to the flaxen haired ingénues of The Aquarian Age and the sensationalism that has become synonymous with the era and event. 

The miserable attempts to recreate the hippie-esque life and times would linger for quite some time until Superfly Productions (Ashley Capps) and Big Hassle Media (Ken Weinstein) decided that the time had come in 2002 for a resurrection of the ideology and music that matters to rise from the ashes of Yasgur’s Farm.  Scraping the conservatism of predecessors, the business acumen and knowledge of both entities would see that a phalanx of historic musicians and embryonic bands in search of the same glory would unite on the hills of Manchester, Tennessee and once again bring an awe inspired genre to its knees with their relentless efforts.

The never ending search for this generation’s juxtaposing Woodstock was now in motion and the fruition of a labor of love came to pass during the early days of summer in 2002 and continues through 2006 and hopefully beyond. The “magic” that was so obviously missing from other assorted attempts was now replaced by the irascible tunes of Tom Petty, the charismatic presence of Liz Berlin & Rusted Root, the soul of New Orleans based Neville Brothers and the ebullient blues of Buddy Guy.  The petulance and disregard for the past has been infused with an eclectic itinerary that showcases both legends of yesteryear and aspiring bands on the brink of universal success.


Attitudes have been vanquished, rampant rapport seems to be the rule of the day and representatives of Big Hassle Media cajole and cavort and make concerted efforts to see that all needs for media are graciously attended to.  Comparisons will abound, and justifiably so but it has taken a myriad of years to prove the “restoration of faith”, a simple decree that allows the nomadic worshippers of music festivals to once again roll across the highways on a destination  to meet with others of the same ilk, uniting through the commonality of music.  Most have languished in virtual obscurity for years awaiting their chance to once again attend an event of monumental proportions and Bonnaroo 06 will be remembered as that episode, an event “for the ages”.


Corporate “rock n’ roll once spelled the inevitable doom of music as we knew it but the formula concocted by “the powers that be” have fulfilled the dream of those who remember the past and now look towards the future. The tie-dye tapestry painted by 75000 euphoric fans from June 15th-19th, are living proof that even in today’s society that various cultures, colors, and religions can co-exist through the lyrical efforts of the selected merry minstrels. Ultimately, the entire concept becomes another crowning achievement in the firmament of Superfly and Big Hassle and ..as it should be.


Nostalgia is soon left behind as the rollicking, fun filled days on the knolls of the 26 square acres in Manchester, Tennessee provide the proof that music is the universal solvent.  Always the adage, “You can’t go back”, and “You can’t compare” but for some of us who have attended most of the acclaimed events in the annals of contemporary “rock n’ roll”,  the revelation is, this is as good as it gets. 


If Bill Graham and Chet Helms were alive, Bill would be smirking with obvious envy and Chet would be smiling with great appreciation of what has been accomplished during these hot and humid days in Manchester.
All-reety…he would say………..All reety indeed……
Cheers
Don Aters – Haight Street Music News 2006..



image by Dave Modica