PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUCE MACCALLUM ON EXHIBIT AT THE HALF KING MARCH 20, 2012 - MAY 14, 2012

I was a student at the University of Miami, doing work study at the school paper to get by. I heard about Woodstock and told my editor, ‘I’ll cover it for the paper.’ I had a limited budget and limited rolls of film, so I concentrated on Jimi and others I hadn’t shot before.
~ Bruce MacCallum

Caption above: November, 1969. Mick Jagger, West Palm Beach Music & Art Festival. Mick as the Devil, prancing everywhere.

~ August, 1970. Jim Morrison, Dade County Courthouse, Miami, FL Jim was on trial for indecent exposure at a 1969 concert. I shot this in the hallway next to the men’s room where we were taking a break, having a smoke. Jim’s interest in freedom of expression seemed more on his mind than what was swirling around the courtroom. I hung out with him and the Doors for a few days. I do not remember talking about the trial—just about music.

~ 1969, Sly & The Family Stone at the University of Miami. This was an outdoor setting-smaller and more intimate than most other venues. Sly was truly alive—standing, screaming, going at it, working the crowd, at his peak.

~ July, 1969. Janis Joplin, Atlanta Pop Festival. Having met and shot Janis before, this was the first time I saw her so relaxed and happy. She was sitting on the steps of her camper with Al Kooper. We all began talking and I asked if I could shoot them together. That led to a few single shots of Janis. She was excited about the groups that were going to be performing. We hung out ‘till she had to go to a rehearsal or a sound check.

~ August, 1969. CSN&Y, Woodstock. Neil Young had just joined the group and this was their second time playing together in public (the first was the night before in Chicago with Joni Mitchell as their opening act). Very good nervous energy—total hush from the crowd as they began. “This is only the second time we’ve performed in front of people. We’re scared shitless,” is what they said.

~ August, 1969. Joan Baez, Woodstock. Peace and tranquility…just so beautiful.

~ August, 1969. Joe Cocker, Woodstock. In his prime and so focused.

~ August, 1969. Jimi Hendrix, Woodstock. Early morning and he closed it all down-the reason I was there.

~ November, 1969. Keith Richards & Charlie Watts, West Palm Beach Music & Art Festival. This was when Mick Taylor was lead guitar with Keith, plus Bill Wyman-the Rolling Stones at their best, so tight together. The group was not the same after Mick Taylor left (my opinion).

~ January, 1974. Bob Dylan & The Band Tour. The Hollywood Sportatorium was an outdoor concert venue; this was a stage in the middle somewhere. Just standing in the dirt getting as close as we could. The crowd was reflected in Dylan’s glasses. General admission: $9.50!

~ August, 1969. Grace Slick at Atlantic City Pop Festival.