BONNAROO 2005

WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARED – BONNAROO 05

Every generation needs its personal Woodstock, a potpourri of Americana amassed on the grassy knolls of some obscure, uninhibited site that will forever be etched in the memories of those who attended. The iconic figures of Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Ten Years After, Joan Baez and others are forever enshrined in the pantheons of musical immortality but on the days of June 120, 11 & 12 of 2005, these heroes of yesteryear have been replaced by the current matinee idols of contemporary “rock”, i.e., Joss Stone, Keller Williams, Trey Anastasio, & Widespread Panic. Inclusion of noted Hall of Famers, The Allman Brothers Band and perennial fan favorites like John Prine continue to bring an eclectic culmination of talent that spans five decades.

There were certainly a myriad of “filler” bands but exposure of youthful talent such as Steel Train from NYC and the ovation for Joss Stone was a scene that defied plaudits and kudos for a burgeoning fan base. The flaxen haired, youthful diva from great Britain exemplifies the culmination of work by the promoters and the exhausting hours by those of Big Hassle Media, i.e., Ken, Steven, etc.

These are the powers that be, Big Hassle Media in NYC, and they have once again pulled the proverbial rabbit from the hat. Anticipation and euphoria were the juxtaposing feelings that engulfed the entire complex like a cloak of “cool” as most remained oblivious to the now torrential downpours synonymous with Manchester and this event. It is has been quoted that one can never return to the glory of yesteryear but Bonnaroo has become the facsimile of The Woodstock Generation and is as much a return to “The Garden” in Bethel as the impending reunion adjacent to Yasgur’s Farm in August will be for the aging counter culture.

The fans have become as much an integral part of this musical gala as the actual entertainers and the camaraderie was never more obvious than during the four day foray into musical mayhem. Showers were everywhere, a convenience well received amidst the muddy yet still mingling thousands who migrated from stage to stage while showing little effect of the gathering storm clouds on the horizon.

Since the inception of the first event in 2002, the popularity has become so enormous that for most of the road warriors of the concert scene, it denotes what they perceive as the launching of summer festivals. Changing of the old guard is inevitable but the euphoria of commonality remains as the guiding light for an event of this proportion. Bands of renown with legacies that are older than most of the fans, along with newer icons that many have emulated and admired and mixed with a plethora of neoteric groups from across the globe have made this an attraction with world wide media attention and seems to flourish despite the elements of late Spring in Tennessee. Change is always a welcomed effort and as long as we remember those who paved the way, all is alive and well in Manchester, Tennessee. Thanks to Ken, Steve & others for their accumulative efforts in making this one of the great events in contemporary “rock n roll”.

Cheers

Don Aters - Haight Street Music News

www.haightstreetmusicnews.com