Mar y Sol Festival

The Mary Sol Pop Festival (original name: "Fiesta del Sol" – Party of the Sun) was a Woodstock-like music festival that took place in Manatí, [1]Puerto Rico, on April 1–3, 1972. It was held on 420 acres (1.7 km2) of countryside by Los Tubos beach in Vega Baja on the north shore of the island.

The idea of the festival started in early 1971 with different producers and performers. Due to many difficulties, including attempts by the Puerto Rican government to prevent the festival[citation needed] from happening, it took place in April 1972.

The organization ended up in the hands of promoter Alex Cooley (Atlanta International Pop Festivals, Music Midtown Festival), who decided that the festival should take place on April 1–3, 1972, coinciding with religious festivities. After promotional posters had been printed, news of the Puerto Rican government's determination to stop the festival led some bands to decide not to participate. Names of new artists were added to the performers' list during the last day before the festival began.

Many critics considered the festival a disaster.[who?] Several accidental deaths, a murder and multiple rapes occurred[citation needed], but New York Times reporter Les Ledbetter printed a column on April 9 titled "It was a success – ask the people"[2] An arrest warrant was issued for promoter Alex Cooley, who avoided arrest by leaving the island before the festival was over.[3]

Music album

The Mar y Sol 2-LP set on Atco Records (1972) is a vinyl document of parts of the festival.

The album features well-known artists such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Dr. John, Long John Baldry and The Allman Brothers Band, as well as up-and-coming artists such as The Mahavishnu Orchestra with John McLaughlin, John Nitzinger, Osibisa, Jonathan Edwards and Cactus.

The album was not issued on a Compact Disc.[citation needed]

Album track listing

Side 1

  1. The J. Geils Band – Looking For A Love – 5:16
  2. The Mahavishnu Orchestra with John McLaughlin – The Noonward Race – 13:20
  3. Dr. John – Wang Dang Doodle – 5:10

Side 2

  1. B. B. King – Why I Sing The Blues – 6:12
  2. Osibisa – Y Sharp – 8:34 – labeled as "Do You Know"
  3. Cactus – Bedroom Mazurka – 5:00

Side 3

  1. The Allman Brothers Band – Ain't Wastin' Time No More – 4:59
  2. Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Take A Pebble/Lucky Man – 7:33
  3. Nitzinger – Texas Blues/Jelly Roll – 9:18

Side 4

  1. Jonathan Edwards – Sometimes In The Morning – 4:15
  2. Jonathan Edwards – Train Of Glory – 3:35
  3. John Baldry – Bring My Baby Back – 6:22
  4. Herbie Mann – Respect Yourself – 9:22

Although not on the album, an as yet unknown Billy Joel electrified the crowd and got a major boost for his career.[4] Other performers who were not on the album include Alice Cooper, Dave Brubeck, and Rod Stewart.[5] The group Bloodrock was hired to play, but was then paid by the promoter not to play. The Emerson, Lake and Palmer session was released in 2007 on the From the Beginning box set.

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References

  1. ^ http://www.marysolpopfestival.com
  2. ^ Les Ledbetter, "It Was a Success -Ask the People" New York Times
  3. ^ Bill Dial, Remembering the Mar Y Sol Festival
  4. ^ Mar y Sol Festival at Google Books
  5. ^ [1][dead link]
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External links

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Last modified on 23 May 2013, at 03:19