University of Virginia Library

Visions

Maoists conjured up a vision of a
new cultural revolution, New Leftists
and Panthers followers dreamed
of the Call sent out to every Middlesex
village and farm, an uprising
by strong black-leather jackets and
tough whites with long hair and
NFL flags. For a short time, It all
seemed easy.

Early in July, the Band played
at Harvard Stadium to nearly
15,000 freaks. The concert was part
of series designed to help make the
summer more pleasant for the city
- to help the street people let off
steam and to show that the Boston
community understood the freaks
and did not object. The feeling at
the concert - imagine, dear heart,
15,000 longhairs writhing free-form
across the slanted grandstands, running,
throwing Frisbees and skyrockets,
hurtling walls and wires to
be nearer the state, to dance on
grass - and not one..single... blue
uniform or gold button in sight. All
power, at that moment, was with
the people.