Turns out that last February the Library of Congress found previously unseen footage from the Altamont Music festival that took place in California at the Altamont Speedway in 1969. The concert featured The Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, and many more. At the time is what being thought of as the Woodstock of the west coast. Unfortunately, it will forever be remembered for the tragic murder of 18-year-old Merdith Hunter Jr at the hands of a Hell’s Angel Motorcycle Club member. The Hell’s Angels were in charge of security for the day.
Library of Congress film expert Michael Mashon says the Angels were a “constant and menacing presence” in the footage, but it doesn’t include the murder.
“I don’t think there’s really anything in the film that adds to our understanding of the tragic events of Altamont,” adds Mashon, “but it’s definitely a new perspective …[and] a wonderful artifact to have of a time and place and an event… I have a feeling that this film is going to show up in future rock-and-roll documentaries. It’s too good. It really is some high-class footage. Whoever shot it did a great job.”
The Library obtained the footage from film archivist and scholar Rick Prelinger, who bought it in the ’90s from Palmer Films in San Francisco when it was going out of business.
