Atlanta International Pop Festival (1969)

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The first Atlanta International Pop Festival was a music festival held at the Atlanta International Raceway on the July Fourth and weekend, 1969, more than a month before Woodstock. It was organized by Alex Cooley, who later went on to organize the Texas International Pop Festival. The crowd was in 10's of thousands maybe even 100's of thousands. With temperatures nearing 100 degrees, local fire departments used fire hoses to create "sprinklers" for the crowd to play in and cool off. It was a peaceful, energetic, hot and loud festival with few (if any) problems other than heat related.

Performers at the event included Janis Joplin, Johnny Winter, Johnny Rivers, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Canned Heat, Spirit, Ten Wheel Drive, Joe Cocker, Chicago Transit Authority, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Grand Funk Railroad, Sweetwater, Al Kooper, Pacific Gas & Electric, Dave Brubeck, and Led Zeppelin. The Allman Brothers Band were booked onto the festival by a phony promoter who had no authority to book them. When they showed up, they were not allowed to play. Chuck Berry was advertised as being a performer, but he did not make an appearance at the festival. The second, and last Atlanta International Pop Festival, was held the next year. This time the Allman Brothers were featured performers; Johnny Rivers was also there.