Did you know that;
The Beatles declined the invitation because John Lennon said he couldn't get them together.
Led Zeppelin declined the invitation beacause they got a higher paying gig elsewhere.
The Doors declined the invitation because Jim Morrison hated large outdoor venues.
Bob Dylan declined the invitation because of his disgust of the hippies hanging around his house.
The Byrds declined the invitation because of a melee during their performance at the first Atlanta International Pop Festival, held at the Atlanta International Raceway on July 4 and July 5, 1969.
Tommy James & the Shondells declined the invitation because of being misinformed about the size and scope of the event.
Jethro Tull declined the invitation because they thought it wouldn't be a big deal.
The Moody Blues declined the invitation - Unknown reasons.
Mind Garage declined the invitation because they thought it wouldn't be a big deal and had a higher paying gig elsewhere.
Cancelled Acts
Jeff Beck Group (The band broke up in July, forcing cancellation)
Iron Butterfly (Stuck at the airport, their manager demanded helicopters and special arrangements just for them. Were wired back and told, as impolitely as Western Union would allow, "to get lost", but in other 'words'.)
Joni Mitchell (Joni's agent put her on "The Dick Cavett Show" instead)
Lighthouse (Feared that it would be a "bad scene".)
Ethan Brown (Arrested for LSD three days before the event.)
I never knew all that amazing tbf, the Byrds would of been brill to see and the Beatles, Doors and Zeppelin if they all played.
Since it was in upstate New York I didn't go, thats my reason. But watching the movie and talking to folks who were there , its a tale of two worlds. It seems that if you weren't too pushy about getting a place close to the stage , one could have a good time. But it was the food and sleeping arrangements that took a back seat. The producers never realized that the fence was coming down and the festival was basically going to be free. So in the end too many people . If that didn't bother you and you could go with the flow, you were going to have a good time. But the weather and the bad drugs that were been handed out put a damper on it for some folks. I think for the amount of people and the scene that was happening it went off rather well.
