Which band was the impetus of the Altamont Concert, then chickened out and refused to play?

JaneofGaunt

The Grateful Dead were also scheduled to perform, but declined to play shortly before their scheduled appearance due to the increasing violence at the venue. “That's the way things went at Altamont—so badly that the Grateful Dead, prime organizers and movers of the festival, didn't even get to play.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altamont_Free_Concert Jan 10 10, 10:58 AM

star_gazer

A video clip of some of the Altamont festival. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSbQ2IeBRLs&feature=related Jan 10 10, 11:47 AM

star_gazer

Did the Greatful Dead "chicken out" or did they make a smart saftey decision? Arguably the most infamous decision was to invite the Hells Angels. Although the popular perception is that the bikers were hired as security, the arrangement was in reality much less formal. In exchange for $500 in beer, the Angels would park their bikes near the stage and provide a visual deterrent to anyone who might consider climbing on the equipment — much like they'd done for Grateful Dead free shows in the past. But by the time the day's second act, Jefferson Airplane, took the stage, the scene was already beginning to unravel. The Angels and members of the increasingly unruly crowd began to fight. The film "Gimme Shelter" documents how Airplane singer Marty Balin was knocked out by an Angel. "There were 30 to 50 (Angels), and however many hundred thousand people in front of them," McNally says. "There were a lot of very crazy, drug-addled people, because they were getting whacked and they weren't leaving." Witnessing the security problems, the Grateful Dead decided not to play. But the show went on with performances by the Flying Burrito Brothers and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Then the Rolling Stones took the stage and within minutes, conditions further deteriorated. Fights continued breaking out between fans and Angels — and the Stones had to stop playing during the third number, "Sympathy for the Devil." Although Jagger begged fans to "just be cool down in the front there," the scene grew uglier. Eighteen-year-old Meredith Hunter reportedly tried to get onstage and was knocked back by the Angels. He returned with pistol in hand and was stabbed by Angel Alan Passaro — a scene captured in "Gimme Shelter." http://www.insidebayarea.com/music/ci_13867305 Jan 12 10, 8:30 AM