It all began with the idea to have a “Woodstock of the West”, an open concert at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park where The Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones would play. Things got out of hand (as usual) an after many cancellations, location and act changes etc. the deserted area near the Altamont highway in California was agreed as a location. Performing acts would include Santana, Jefferson Airplane, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones would headline the show. The Stones managers had the odd idea of hiring the San Francisco Hells Angels as security for $500 worth in beer.

On Saturday, December 6th 1969, 300.000 people gather in the area. Hell’s Angels members, occupy the space in front of the stage to prevent people from climbing the stage. During the concert, the violence incidents and beatings become alarmingly frequent. At some point, Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane gets hit in the head by some member of Hell’s Angels (perhaps by mistake) and drops unconscious. The Grateful Dead hear about the incident, cancel their performance and leave just before hitting the stage. Everything seems tense by the time The Rolling Stones get up on stage. While playing “Under My Thumb” an 18 year old black member of the audience, Meredith Hunter, tries to get up on stage but gets hit by Hell’s Angels members. He tries again, this time holding a .22 revolver but gets immediately beaten and stabbed to death. The Stones make a short pause but not realizing what has happened they go on with the show. For the record, there were three more deaths in Altamont. Two car accidents and one drowning in a nearby drainage canal. The 60s were coming to an end and it sure wasn’t pretty…