cannabisnews.com: Wistful Over Lost Dreams at Summer of Love Fest





Wistful Over Lost Dreams at Summer of Love Fest
Posted by CN Staff on September 03, 2007 at 05:57:12 PT
By Adam Tanner
Source: Reuters 
San Francisco, CA -- Some of the biggest musical stars of the 1960s counterculture gathered in San Francisco on Sunday for a concert to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love, yet backstage many voiced disappointment about the era's unfulfilled ideals.The Summer of Love of 1967 made San Francisco a magnet for youth who wanted to experiment with sex, drugs, rock and roll and an alternative hippie lifestyle.
"We thought, this is it, we're going to change the world, actually we're going to become the Christian world of love," Ray Manzarek, 68, keyboardist for The Doors, told Reuters. "Of course, it didn't happen. Here we are 40 years later and we are still at war.""It was a great disappointment," said Manzarek, who attended the famed San Francisco January 1967 "Human Be-In," credited with drawing young people to the city, with Doors singer Jim Morrison and other bandmates.The '60s lived again as Manzarek, Jefferson Starship and other legends performed, thousands of fans donned tie-die shirts and bell bottom pants and the smell of marijuana wafted through the air. Two women wandered through the crowd in Golden Gate Park offering free hugs.In keeping with the spirit of those times, the concert was free. 'I Feel Betrayed' In the 1960s, many in the counterculture felt they could change the world by removing societal constraints and ending the Vietnam War.Fito De La Parra, drummer for the band Canned Heat, said his generation never lived up to its ideals."On the whole, I feel betrayed," he said backstage after playing before what organizers estimated was 40,000 fans. "I feel that a lot of the ideals that we held valuable in the 1960s were betrayed by their own people, by their own hippies. Many of them betrayed themselves because they went for the buck, and they became rich yuppies and Republicans."Barry Melton, best known by his nickname "The Fish" and his partnership with Country Joe McDonald, said the 1960s social movements deserve credit for advancing issues such as women's and gay rights and environmental consciousness, but the youth of the day went overboard with drugs."There are things I cringe about," said Melton, now a public defender criminal lawyer. "For one thing we had an absolute benign attitude about drugs that was pretty naive. We made some significant mistakes."Manzarek said unrestrained use of drugs proved a disaster."Excessive was Jim Morrison dying of alcohol poisoning, Jimi Hendrix dying in his own vomit," he said.The inability to achieve unending love and friendship was evidenced by the many bands long since broken up, often acrimoniously.James Gurley, 67, played with Big Brother and the Holding Company, whose lead singer Janis Joplin died of a drug overdose. For the past decade Gurley said he had not spoken with his fellow band guitarist after a falling out."I expected we'd all be friends later," he said. "My disappointment is in myself. My assessments were off base; I mis-assessed human nature."Source: Reuters (Wire)Author:  Adam TannerPublished: September 3, 2007Copyright: 2007 Reuters News ServiceRelated Articles:Summer of Love: Are You Going To San Franciscohttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23302.shtmlGroovy: Summer of Love, Message of Lovehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23053.shtmlThe Hippies Were Right All Along -- We Knew That http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23277.shtml 
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Comment #22 posted by afterburner on September 04, 2007 at 17:44:03 PT
whig #20 
Speaking of the original 1640's Diggers, check this out:n o l o g o . o r g
http://www.nologo.org/
Visit Naomi Klein's New Website: www.naomiklein.org ... September 2007 is the publication date for Naomi Klein's third book, entitled THE SHOCK DOCTRINE: The Rise of Disaster CapitalismExcerpt: {
At the most chaotic juncture in Iraq's civil war, a new law is unveiled that would allow Shell and BP to claim the country's vast oil reserves. Immediately following September 11, the Bush Administration quietly out-sources the running of the "War on Terror" to Halliburton and Blackwater. After a powerful tsunami devastates the coasts of Southeast Asia, the pristine beaches are auctioned off to tourist resorts. New Orleans's residents, still scattered from Hurricane Katrina, discover that their public housing, hospitals and schools will never be reopened.
} 
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Comment #21 posted by whig on September 04, 2007 at 09:18:31 PT
The Diggers
This would be the more recent edition:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diggers_%28theater%29:)
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Comment #20 posted by whig on September 04, 2007 at 09:17:23 PT
Hope
None of us are old enough to remember the 40s...the 1640s, I mean.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diggers
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Comment #19 posted by Hope on September 04, 2007 at 05:44:11 PT
Here's "Carla's Story", by Peter Coyote
http://www.petercoyote.com/carla.html
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on September 04, 2007 at 05:27:52 PT
The Diggers
Certainly, I remember them.There is a great "diary" about the Diggers, written by Peter Coyote, a Digger, on the web. I really enjoyed reading it. It seemed almost like I was there with them. 
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Comment #17 posted by afterburner on September 03, 2007 at 21:42:28 PT
Hope #14 
"That was a dig by the writer" 
You're right. I let it "dig in". Dig it. Remember the Diggers. The kids are alright! I made a vow to help them recover the faded flower of power when they were ready to seek it, and I have done what I could to be their mentor and cheerleader.
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on September 03, 2007 at 15:13:19 PT
Hope
I sense young people seeing a new way but a new way really is our old way. It will be refreshing to watch the young on fire college students this fall and thruout next year up until elections. It's their time to fly. 
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Comment #15 posted by Hope on September 03, 2007 at 15:08:35 PT
It's their turn now....
But aren't we supposed to doubt them? Think they'll never amount to anything?Not me. I expect them to do well.:0)
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on September 03, 2007 at 15:06:24 PT
"That was a dig by the writer"
You're right. I let it "dig in".Peeling shrapnel out of my shield. My shield heals...stronger than ever. So far, by Grace.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on September 03, 2007 at 14:49:24 PT
Hope
That was a dig by the writer so I took it as that. Remembering better times is a good thing. I am so glad the younger generation is getting it now. It's their turn to try to change the world and more power to them.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on September 03, 2007 at 14:46:37 PT
Hope
The germs. Oh that's funny!
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on September 03, 2007 at 14:44:22 PT
In my opinion...this is not a bad thing.
In the general scheme of things...it's rather sweet."Former hippies stood shoulder to shoulder with music-lovers of a younger generation. The age difference didn't stop them from dancing, singing and in some cases, sharing a joint together."Well, maybe the germs....
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Comment #10 posted by Hope on September 03, 2007 at 14:41:35 PT
I must be feeling all critical,
what with the "Mourning for their lost youth" stuff recently. That seems outrageous to me. Most of us wouldn't go back and do it all again for anything. It was good and it was bad...and it was damned colorful and loud and memorable.But "Mourning for their lost youth"? That's ridiculous.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on September 03, 2007 at 14:35:43 PT
Hope
I thought the glasses were cute and the earrings were adorable.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on September 03, 2007 at 14:31:58 PT
Related Article from The San Jose Mercury News 
Positive Vibe, Great Music, Huge Crowd Help Commemorate 40th Anniversary of Summer of Love***By Cecily BurtSeptember 2, 2007It wasn't quite the reincarnation of 1967 famous Human Be-In, but the vibe was definitely mellow and friendly as tens of thousands of gray-hairs converged on San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, decked out in flowers and paisley and in some cases, a 40-year-old cache of tie-dyed shirts, flowing skirts, peace signs and anti-war buttons.They swayed and grooved to their favorite psychedelic-era music played by the originals, or pieces of the original rock bands, who epitomized the San Francisco Sound. If attendance and vibe are the benchmark, the free, 40th anniversary concert of the Summer of Love was a groovy hit, and not just with those who remember it first-hand.Former hippies stood shoulder to shoulder with music-lovers of a younger generation. The age difference didn't stop them from dancing, singing and in some cases, sharing a joint together.Or was that sweet smell just sage sticks? But no worries, the event saw no sign of "brown acid." The music was interspersed with traditional Lakota Indian blessings. Michael McClure, Beat author, recited poetry to music played by Rob Wasserman and Ray Manzarek of the Doors, among others. The original cast of Hair started the time travel with "Aquarius" and "Hair." And Jim Post sang his trademark lyrics: "I think it's so groovy now that people are finally getting together."Groovy it was; groovy it is."I was here in 1967 and 1968," said Jim Shulman of Columbus, Ohio, a retired "shrink" who wore a T-shirt from the 30th anniversary Summer of Love concert. "I left in 1973, but we came back for the 30th anniversary and we came for this one."Different people have different reasons for coming; for some it's the negatives of our time," he added. "It has to do with where you were and what kind of music you like."James Gurley of Big Brother and the Holding Company walked around backstage with his wife Margaret, soaking in the sun, the vibes and hooking up with old friends. They came 500 miles to be here, but he said he wasn't nostalgic for the old days. His life now is much better."It's not so much about trying to relive the Summer of Love ... it's more personal. I'm here to see my friends. I'm just glad to be here myself," Gurley said. "I was a wild man, alcohol and drugs. My life's been great the last 17 years (with Margaret). I hate the music today. Computers have destroyed the concept, the art of the performance."Moby Grape got together for a much anticipated reunion, although Jerry Miller has his own Jerry Miller Band now. He said Moby Grape got together and played Grapestock in Aptos as a warm up last week."It's Moby Grape time (today)," he said. "It's not easy to get those boys together. No matter what we do, we're always great.""The significance of the Summer of Love is it put two million (protesters) on the street right around the time Richard Nixon was thinking of nuking North Vietnam," Post said. "If this can set off the same type of essence and get them in the street ... ?"Ben Fong Torres, one of the founding editors of Rolling Stone Magazine added his own spin: "1967 was not just about love, it was resistance, we levitated the Pentagon," he said. "If you really love this planet you'll do more to save it. It's never too late to have another Summer of Love."People were packed in as far as the eye could see, from the front of the stage in Speedway Meadow all the way, way back past the barbecue area, drumming circle and vendors who were selling crafts and food and putting on shows with Hula Hoops for the people who had no hope of getting close to the musicians.Dorothy Hann of San Ramon took BART and a taxi early in the morning to grab a coveted spot near the stage. She wasn't exactly a flower child back in the day, but she was around and loves the music. Taj Mahal, New Riders of the Purple Sage, the Starship, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks - everybody's favorites got covered.Almost."I was a fan of the Doors, I'm disappointed we didn't get any Doors music," Hann said. "Canned Heat was good. I like music better than poetry readings. This is a really good crowd, everybody is very friendly."Lester Chambers of the Chambers Brothers showed up, minus his brothers. But his set, culminating with "Time Has Come Today," rocked the house with his son Michael Dillon and other musicians sitting in."We were all four brothers, but we spent too much time together; it's not so easy to get along," he said. "I'm trying to establish Lester Chambers and Friends. It feels really good to be here."Like many others, he didn't know who all the people were backstage. They looked familiar, but names escaped him."I can't remember all their names, so I just keep smiling," he said. It wouldn't have been a Summer of Love concert without political messages and the day was filled with the anti-war variety. Country Joe McDonald wore a pink shirt and got the theme started with his "Give me an F! Give me a U? What's that spell?" from Woodstock.He launched into "Fixin? to Die Rag," the anti-Vietnam anthem that resonates more than ever now. Needless to say, thousands sang along."So far so good," said Ron Trapp, 57, of San Francisco, who knows a lot of the musicians and was friends with Chet Helm - the man who produced concerts for years. He was at the 1997 anniversary concert and he just can't stop wishing Jim Morrison of the Doors would miraculously reappear. He teaches English at Horace Mann Middle School, but he didn't think many of his students were here."It's a shame most kids (their age) don't even know who Santana is," he said. Despite the good time had by most, there were a few problems: Reports of a heart attack late in the day and crowds kept pouring in - some estimates put it at more than 40,000 - to enjoy the very un-San Francisco-like summer sunshine and heat.But none of it stopped the show going from early morning until its last note, promptly at 6 p.m. as promised.Lee Housekeeper, a publicist with San Francisco Stories and one of the event's organizers who was around 40 years ago, made sure everything, and everyone, stayed on schedule.And when they didn't, he could be heard jokingly, muttering. "We're running four minutes behind schedule, those damn hippies."Copyright: 2007 San Jose Mercury News http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_6787433
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on September 03, 2007 at 14:21:56 PT
'Cept maybe
Mama Cass.
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on September 03, 2007 at 14:21:16 PT
Those glasses
I like those glasses... but only Elton would have had access to such in those days.Purple Granny glasses would have been better. And what's with the bows?People were leaner and hungrier then, too.They were!
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 03, 2007 at 10:43:29 PT
One of The Pictures
http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070903/ids_photos_en/r1757697784.jpg
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on September 03, 2007 at 10:42:10 PT
Pictures from The Summer of Love Concert
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p=summer+of+love&c=&ei=UTF-8&fr=FP-tab-news-t&c=images
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on September 03, 2007 at 08:26:26 PT
whig
I'm glad you agree. That honestly is exactly how I feel.
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Comment #2 posted by whig on September 03, 2007 at 08:07:56 PT
FoM
I agree. Cannabis is benign but not everything is. Most drugs are not benign at all.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 03, 2007 at 07:22:46 PT
I Feel This Way Exactly
Excerpt: "On the whole, I feel betrayed," he said backstage after playing before what organizers estimated was 40,000 fans. "I feel that a lot of the ideals that we held valuable in the 1960s were betrayed by their own people, by their own hippies. Many of them betrayed themselves because they went for the buck, and they became rich yuppies and Republicans."Barry Melton, best known by his nickname "The Fish" and his partnership with Country Joe McDonald, said the 1960s social movements deserve credit for advancing issues such as women's and gay rights and environmental consciousness, but the youth of the day went overboard with drugs."There are things I cringe about," said Melton, now a public defender criminal lawyer. "For one thing we had an absolute benign attitude about drugs that was pretty naive. We made some significant mistakes."Manzarek said unrestrained use of drugs proved a disaster.
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