Why is Michigan’s Woodstock – the 1970 Goose Lake Festival – NOT Getting the Recognition it Deserves?
It’s been ignored over the past decades that Michigan had it’s own version of the original Woodstock Music Festival in 1970..
Just one year after Woodstock, Goose Lake – just east of Jackson – held court from August 7-9 1970 to the likes of Bob Seger, Jethro Tull, Rod Stewart, Ten Years After, Chicago, The Stooges, Joe Walsh, Mitch Ryder and many more.
Even though it was basically a peaceful event, it was seen to by public & state ‘officials’ that there would never be another music festival in Michigan. Ever.
Along with Governor William Milliken, Michigan attorney general Frank J. Kelley was one of those instrumental in banning Michigan rock festivals, saying: “I think we have seen the first and last rock concert of that size in Michigan.”
Oh, yeah? Well I was there. It was wonderful.
Even though in the past 20-25 years, there have been seedy incidents occurring at various giant rock concerts around the country, Goose Lake - AND Woodstock - proved that it can be done WITHOUT violence or idiots. Wouldn't it be nice if we could have a decent, large rock festival without a handful of morons ruining it for future shows?
To see what you may have missed back in the Summer of ’70, check out many, MANY unseen color photos of Goose Lake Festival on mlive by CLICKING HERE.
And read even MORE about this great time with another mlive article by
CLICKING HERE.