General   (General discussion, talk about anything.)

My recollections (others may have different perceptions)

It all began in the late 1960's when the tensions between performing artists and commerce reached crisis point, and the Stones elected to play for free in Hyde park in Summer of 1969. They said after tax, they would see nowt of the income from mass performances!

Many artists of this period were ripped off, some, of their entire earnings, eg Nina Simone.

Within weeks, the appearance of Bob Dylan at Isle of Wight transformed a local folk fest into a national event.

At the same time, Stateside, Woodstock Festival, boosted by the 'alternative' culture, and anti-Vietnam War protest was quite headline making.

So, the mass festivals had arrived, and the following year (1970) saw many. Glastonbury commenced 1970, and Reading the following year, with Leeds being a spin-off from the latter. Reading, actually being a take over of the National Jazz and Blues Fest, although the latter had not actually met at Reading.

These festivals, however were VERY, VERY commercial, which left dissatisfaction amongst many who had previously been involved.

The result was that many bands were willing to support for free the illegal festival in Windsor Great Park. (Free Festival) Commencing 1972.

This saw brutal melee of police and festival attenders: a harbinger of what was to be seen again in The Miner's Strike. It did uncover practices that the police tried to hide from public scrutiny. It was part of the nasty picture of London/Thames valley policing which led to Operation Countryman, and is still an issue today. (Death of Ian Tomlinson, 2009)

There is also the issue that definite proof existed that the illegal drugs seized by the police turned up again being sold on the street: never properly investigated.

The cultural split had been established, and is still with us.

What were called 'plastic hippies' or weekenders, are now the ( increasingly geriatric) old stick in the muds: they go to Glastonbury and suchlike.

The younger, progressive, less likely to be passive consumers of the music, but more likely to be users of MDMA (Ecstasy) have their illegal warehouse parties: called raves by outsiders.

You have to hand it to the Brits,
We are very good at creating and nurturing divisiveness in our society.