Jammin’  in the 70’s!

by Cynthia Brian

“Mom, I need your advice,.” my university daughter exclaimed via cell phone.. “I’m invited on a band tour this summer. Shall I accept?”

 My mind reeled back to the hippest years in the history of the world: the 1960’s and 1970’s! 

My boyfriend was the lead singer in a group and I was the slick chick chanteuse.  (Whether I can carry a tune is debatable!.) When we weren’t playing gigs, we spent weekends in San Francisco at The Avalon Ballroom, Fillmore West, and Winterland.

My cousin Donny was my rock hero, playing with Moby Grape, living in Haight Ashbury, hanging with the hippies.. We grooved with every band emerging on the scene with the exception of the Beatles and The Who. You name the show. We were there.  I still have the posters to prove it!

But...that’s a different story.

 Of all the thousands of concerts I attended, one shines brightly in my memory! THE ROTTERDAM POP MUSIC FESTIVAL OF JUNE, 1970!  

 In a farmland community of Kralingen, outside of Rotterdam in the Netherlands,, the biggest music festival ever experienced in Europe jammed for three days between June 26-28 of 1970. It was dubbed “The Woodstock of Europe”  and is legendary in music history.

 As the Outstanding Teenager of California and an Ambassador to Europe, I had been learning, and lecturing in Holland while living with a Dutch family in the south. Two of the five children in our home were my age.  As our friendship evolved, we were nicknamed “The Three Musketeers”.  When we read about the upcoming pop festival, we planned our escapade, even though the trip was “verboten” by our elders. With a fabricated story about  “discovering culture”, we hitchhiked to Rotterdam to participate in the most sensational musical adventure of the era!

 Attired in my suede fringed mini dress, knee high boots, and beaded headband, we mingled, danced, and camped with thousands of teens from the continent in this mecca of European entertainment. The bands did not disappoint. Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Pink Floyd, The Byrds, Soft Machine, T-Rex, It’s a Beautiful Day, Country Joe McDonald, Crosby Stills,, Nash, America, the Flock, Canned Heat, East Of Eden, Caravan, Fairport Convention, Family... plus a line-up of surprise guest appearances.

I don’t recall how or if we bathed, slept, or ate.  I remember it was a wet, wild, and windy three days of joy, harmony, and connection. Although I spoke fluent Dutch, I was exceptionally proud to be an American, despite Nixon’s aggression in Cambodia. We were young,, the USA had landed on the moon,, many bands were American, and speaking English in the days of “The English Invasion” was considered super cool!

Upon our return to Breda, we rejoiced in our musical escapades, desperately attempting to convince our hosts of our innocent adventure. 

Alas, we were busted and subsequently grounded.  They had seen us on TV dancing to the music in the rain.

Regrets...NONE!

Response to my daughter...DO IT! 

Blessings granted.

Memories assured.

Cynthia Brian is a boomer who sings in the shower, plays music to her plants, and reminisces about the good ole’ days. In her spare times she coaches, writes books, lectures around the world, hosts TV and radio shows. This article is the first time she has shared  her wild woman wanderings! www.star-style.com.

©2008 Cynthia Brian, Starstyle® Productions LLC