Atlanta International Pop Festival (1969)

The first Atlanta International Pop Festival was held at the Atlanta Motor Speedway south of Atlanta on 4 and 5 July 1969. Friday, July 4, the American Independence Day was in 1969. Six weeks later, the Woodstock Festival was held. There were more than 100,000 spectators, some estimates go up to 150,000.

The artist

There were some of the leading rock and pop bands and performers of the time.

Friday, July 4th, 1969

  • Booker T. & the M. G. ' s
  • Canned Heat
  • Chicago Transit Authority
  • Creedence Clearwater Revival
  • Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
  • Grand Funk Railroad
  • Ian & Sylvia

Saturday, July 5, 1969

  • Al Kooper
  • Blood, Sweat & Tears
  • Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
  • Grand Funk Railroad
  • Janis Joplin
  • Joe Cocker
  • Johnny Winter

Notes to the festival

  • During the festival, it was very hot, about 35 degrees, so that the local firefighters sprayed water on the crowd to avoid heat strokes.
  • The supply of drinks was described as inadequate.
  • The festival was organized by a team, which included Chris Cowing, Robin Conant and Alex Cooley. Cooley also organized the second (and last) Atlanta International Pop Festival the following year.
  • On Monday, July 7, 1969, the organizers presented a free concert in Piedmont Park in Atlanta. In addition to Chicago Transit Authority, Delaney & Bonnie and Spirit that had occurred also at the Atlanta International Pop Festival, there was with the Grateful Dead is another attraction.
Chicago (Band) Sweetwater (Band) Spirit (Band)
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