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One of the landmark musical events of the "Summer of Love" happened on the weekend of June 16-18, 1967 — 50 years ago, to the day — and it's a good thing filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker and his colleagues were there to get it all on film.
The resulting documentary, "Monterey Pop," is a vibrant encapsulation of that far-off event, with one jaw-dropping performance after another. The movie's return, in a restored print, makes for a happy 50th birthday party.
The event was organized by John Phillips, who was one-fourth of The Mamas and the Papas, along with record producer Lou Adler, promoter Alan Pariser and publicist Derek Taylor. The idea was to create for rock music what the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Newport Folk Festival did for their genres.
Pennebaker only captures a bit of the behind-the-scenes preparations, like Phillips trying to get Dionne Warwick on the phone. Warwick didn't make it to the show, but the acts who did more than made up for it.
There were established stars, like The Mamas and the Papas (doing "California Dreamin' "), Jefferson Airplane, and Simon & Garfunkel. But the up-and-coming acts are what make the movie so sensational.
The festival was one of the first showcases for Big Brother and the Holding Company, led by their ferocious singer, Janis Joplin. It's a show of respect that when the band plays "Ball 'n' Chain," Pennebaker cuts to Cass Elliot, mouth agape at the power of Joplin's voice.
Another big voice highlighted in the film was that of Otis Redding. Monterey was one of the legendary soul singer's biggest predominantly white audiences, and he charmed the crowd with his R&B style. (Redding died about six months later.)
The Who got their first American exposure at Monterey, and they used it to full advantage. The movie shows The Who's final number, their hit "My Generation," which ends with guitarist Pete Townshend smashing his guitar to bits and drummer Keith Moon kicking his kit apart in response.
The next day, Jimi Hendrix, also new to American rock fans, did The Who one better. In what may be the most famous image of the movie, and of Hendrix's career, the guitarist coaxed glorious feedback from his electric guitar — then applied lighter fluid and lit his ax on fire.
"Monterey Pop" ends with an astonishing scene: an unbroken 17-minute performance by the sitar legend Ravi Shankar. Pennebaker builds the moment gradually, first using Shankar's sitar as background music for a montage of activity on the festival grounds. But once Shankar and his band have the audience's attention, they don't give it up until everyone — including the rock stars in the front rows — is spent from the joyous frenzy of music. Fifty years later, that joy can still be felt and shared.
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'Monterey Pop'
D.A. Pennebaker's 1967 documentary, in a restored print, captures Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Ravi Shankar and more in their glory.
Where • Tower Theatre.
When • Opens Friday, June 16.
Rating • Not rated, but probably PG-13 for mild sensuality, drug content and suggestive lyrics.
Running time • 84 minutes.