Originally posted by oscar jubis
Festival Express
In the summer of 1970, Janis Joplin, The Band, The Grateful Dead and other groups boarded a chartered train in Eastern Canada and traveled west giving concerts at major Canadian cities. Thirty four years later, a documentary of the event was finally released, and what a revelation it is. In Toronto, a group incited people outside the entrance to demand to be let in for free ("it's the people's music"); there were squirmishes that resulted in the near-death of a cop. The promoter agreed to stage a free concert at a park nearby, but press reports of the violence resulted in very poor sales for the upcoming concerts. The promoters decided to absorb the financial loss and let this show on wheels go on. The well equipped (and stocked) CN train provided a perfect environment for the musicians to interact. A mobile commune.
Just saw this at your reccomendation. Its a great ride. Sort of the first time Ive seen "the kids" from the 70's being protrayed in the wrong (the promoter, the bands and a few commentators were bumbed about how demanding the crowds were).

In a way it was nice to see because they were in fact badgering the cops who seemed pretty under control, and it was in fact a very expensive show to put on (they wanted free admission).

Buddy Guy, Janis, The Band and The Dead partying on a train.
Some genuine musical heros.
my favorite line:

"The worst part was when the train stopped and we'd have to get off"