Atlantic City Pop Festival

Updated on Dec 28, 2023

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Genre Rock, pop, etc. Attendance 100,000+ Years active 1969		Dates August 1, 2 and 3rd Location Hamilton

Similar Village Fair, Powder Ridge Rock Fest, Festival of Political Songs, Jazz Bilzen, Magic Circle Festival

Atlantic city pop festival aug 1 2 3 1969 m4v

The Atlantic City Pop Festival took place in 1969 on August 1, 2 and 3rd at the Atlantic City race track, two weeks before Woodstock Festival. It actually took place in Hamilton Township at the Atlantic City Race Course. There was heavy security at the festival, and the stage the acts performed on was created by Buckminster Fuller. A ticket for the entire 3-day weekend was $15.00 to see all of the performers listed. Attended by some 100,000+ people.

Atlantic City Pop Festival BR39s Classic Rock Photos Atlantic City Pop Festival

Janis joplin live at the atlantic city pop festival 1969 avi

Performers

The festival featured the following performers:

Highlights

Lineup changes:

Crosby, Stills & Nash were originally on the lineup but ended up as a no-show, Nash was claimed to have had polyps on his tonsils (but sang at Woodstock two weeks later). The Chambers Brothers substituted for the band at the last-minute. The Moody Blues were also scheduled but the band did not appear.

Blues guitarist Johnny Winter was present but unable to perform because of equipment trouble.

Janis Joplin and Mama Cass introduced Santana as their favorite band; this was their first appearance on the East Coast.

Memorable performances included:

Atlantic City Pop Festival httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediaenthumbf

Procol Harum performing "Whiter Shade of Pale" and a series of songs from "A Salty Dog" while the wind whipped up the lake behind them.

Iron Butterfly's extended set of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida".

The Chambers Brothers followed Iron Butterfly with a memorable rendition of "Time Has Come Today" that had many in the crowd dancing on the huge speakers on the stage, some even with clothes on. They were the final Friday night act.

Dr. John the Night Tripper performing "Gris-Gris" and "Walk on Gilded Splinters".

Little Richard filled in for Johnny Winter playing a set on a white grand piano and rocked the track as he invited the audience to come up and dance on stage.

Janis Joplin and her Kozmic Blues Band electrified the audience with "Try", a cover of The Chantels "Maybe" and "As Good As You've Been To This World". She joined Little Richard on stage for a few tunes as well.

Joni Mitchell performed one song, complained that people were not listening, "I've just played the same verse twice and no one noticed", then left the stage.

Joe Cocker performing "With A Little Help From My Friends" and "Feelin' Alright" while looking spastic playing air guitar.

Mother Earth's lead singer Tracy Nelson wowed the crowd with her bluesy performance of "Mother Earth" and "Down So Low".

Aum opening the Friday show, ending the set as the guitarist leaped off the stage onto the racetrack below.