Wednesday August 18, 2021 “Silver White Light” Terry Reid, “Let’s Live for Today” the Grassroots
The Miami Pop Festival was held at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale FL, December 28–30, 1968 and the crowd size for the three days was estimated to be around 100,000. This festival was unique in that it was the first rock festival to have two entirely separate 'main' stages several hundred yards apart (the Flower Stage and the Flying Stage), both operating simultaneously and offering performers of equal calibre but often different genres.
The performing artists were a literal who’s who of artists at that time including, among so many others, Chuck Berry, the Box Tops, Wayne Cochran (he wrote “Last Kiss”), pre Buckingham/Nicks Fleetwood Mac, Junior Walker & the Allstars, Terry Reid, the Grassroots, Steppenwolf, the Turtles and Three Dog Night.
Looking at the list which includes some of my favorite 1960s artists I wish I was able to get into that time capsule and go back to attend. Screw that, if I had a time capsule I would use it to transport winning lottery numbers and buy all of those groups.
Terry Reid was the first vocalist offered the singing gig in the New Yardbirds (soon to be Led Zeppelin) by Jimmy Page. Obviously Reid passed but he recommended his friend Robert Plant, probably not a great decision in hindsight, but check out Reid’s vocals and guitar skills on “Silver White Light” and imagine him fronting Led Zeppelin.
Too many great songs for me to choose from so we will go with a two-fer today to capture this moment in Miami.
Stay safe and well...and I lived the lyrics from “Let’s Live for Today” at least back in 1967 and look where it got me...a beautiful wife, an amazing family and a great life!