The Rolling Stones and Altamont: The Deeper Context of Responsibility
The Rolling Stones' infamous concert at Altamont Speedway in 1969 is often cited as a dark chapter in music history. However, the incident itself cannot be separated from broader socio-political and cultural contexts. The day of Altamont was not just a concert; it was an event where the fracturing of the counterculture became painfully evident, and the band's Rolling Stones was deeply involved in the league of it all.
Security Issues and the Role of the Hell's Angels
The Altamont event was a cluster-fuck from the very beginning. The decision to move the concert to the Speedway was a last-minute one, and the hastily built "stage" proved to be one of the many factors that exacerbated the chaos. The stage, only a couple of feet above the crowd, made it far too easy for restless attendees to climb and disrupt the performance. Additionally, the security was entrusted to the notorious Hell's Angels, a group known for their lawless behavior and infamous history of violence. This was akin to having a violent token group like the Proud Boys patrol a peaceful Black Lives Matter rally, a clear and dangerous courtship of disaster.
Bad Boy Image and Misplaced Arrogance
The Rolling Stones prided themselves on their Bad-Boy image, embracing an outlaw persona that often extended beyond their celebrity status. However, it's worth noting that the band members came from middle-class backgrounds and had largely stayed out of legal trouble. In contrast, the Hell's Angels were real outlaws with a track record of violence and unpredictability. The management of the Stones, particularly Sam Cutler, instructed the Hell's Angels to do as they pleased, stating only that they should keep the crowd away from the stage. This directive essentially handed the security control over to a group known for their violent tendencies, and the ensuing chaos bore the consequences.
Keith Richards, once a notorious punk rock fan calling himself the "outlaw," was now turning into a ruthless enforcer, using violence as a means to control the crowd. Mick Jagger, on the other hand, struggled to maintain the ambiance of rock 'n' roll's bad boys, which turned tragically foolish as events unfolded. Jagger and the band members seemed to be too arrogant, believing that their image would shield them from responsibility, while in reality, they were enabling and complicit in the violence that transpired.
The Tragic Aftermath
The night culminated in tragic violence, with the death of Meredith Hunter, a Black teenager shot and stabbed by Alan Passaro, a Hell's Angel. According to the girlfriend of Meredith Hunter, he was carrying a loaded gun and intended to shoot Mick Jagger. Alan Passaro, the one who saved Hunter from Jagger, was later acquitted of any charges, as the homicide was ruled an act of self-defense. Hunter's death serves as a stark reminder of the racial and social tensions that were ever-present during the event.
Final Notes
The Hell's Angels, though named Hells Angels, are indeed a specific group of motorcyclists and do not use an apostrophe. As the world reflects on this disastrous event, the role of the Rolling Stones in the day's events cannot be understated. Their decision to hire the Hell's Angels as security, combined with their own misplaced arrogance and lack of awareness, contributed significantly to the chaos that ensued. Altamont was a haunting reflection of a time when the counterculture was on the brink of its end, and the Rolling Stones, rather than being guardians of the peace, became unwitting enablers of a tragedy that still haunts the memory of that fateful day.