We went for Saturday only (7/28/2007) of the two-day musical reunion on the same stage at the Monterey Fairgrounds as the original Summer of Love concerts 1967. We saw current incarnations of Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Starship (still with Paul Kantner), and Big Brother and the Holding Company, along with covers of Jimi Hendrix, the Mamas and the Papas, and Sargeant Pepper's Loney Hearts club Band (the Sun Kings with the Lidludplings orchestra).
A highlight was Barry Mcguire who opened with Eve of Destruction but then moved on to music of groups he worked with - especially the Mamas and the Papas and Crosby, Stills, and Nash. His voice and guitar play (accompanied by Terry Talbot) are still strong. It was also fun hearing music from Hair performed by a large troupe that is presenting the Musical at the San Pedro Theater on the Square in San Jose. They had a couple of good singers; most were not. The music is wonderful.
I was disappointed that Quicksilver only played one tune from 1967 - Pride of Man. They played well. Big Brother was not bad at all, with their current singer Cathie Richardson who tries very hard to sound like Janis. Jefferson Starship was disappointing, but I was really looking for Jefferson Airplane. They only played one 1967 tune (although we left before the end). The sound and lighting was not great and the Starship songs are not as innovative as the Airplane ones were.
The Jimi cover by Carlton Poward was very impressive - excellent guitar and voice, with the performer playing the guitar behind his head, between his legs, on his knees, and more. No flaming national anthem, though.
