From The Great Speckled Bird June 28, 1971 pg. 2
NO MORE MUSIC
After July Fourth there won't be anymore music in Piedmont Park. Steve Cole, who has been handling the music ever since the early beginnings, gave us his reasons.
First, he feels that people now come to "the Park only to do drugs, especially killer smack, and to socialize. Second, he believes there is no interest in good or different types of music—rather, people just want to hear loud, "heavy" rock. Steve was also very discouraged because there are so many people that the Park loses any of its natural advantages as a musical setting.
We spoke of how the Park had lost the community atmosphere that existed in '69 and '70. The strength of that time was the good interrelationships between the bands and their audience, along with the feeling that we were a community celebrating, and as was necessary in September '69, fighting for, its culture. But things are different now. Bands play mostly for exposure or because it is one of the few chances for other musicians to hear them. Dope use has become twisted into “kicks” or escape, from its original vision as a tool for new consciousness or heightening musical awareness.
The changes have brought their karma. July Fourth The Day the Music Stops!
—moe
clipping from The Marthasville Vacuum
Sunday July 19, 1970
Activities started a little late this particular Sunday in the Park. First to appear were the Rhue Sisters. They offered a pleasant beginning for a day in the park. They were two attractive young girls who played and sang folk material by other artists. Although their guitar was out of tune and their microphone technique needed improvement, their vocal harmony made up for these faults.
To get back to the usual pace of the Park, a group from Macon called Free Soil was next. They did original progressive rock which included an alto lead voice, a sharing of leads and a song that went from 4/4 time to 5/4 then back to 4/4. The group looks like they will come up with some great sounds to turn the Atlanta people on to good music.
The next group, Shayde, immediately crowd's attention with their building sound. They were loud and heavy - a sound that the parkers love. They played their philosophy in music, "Free expression of music".
After Shayde came Freight. This group consists of nine members, three of which make up an incredible horn section. Rico, their front-man, displayed professional showmanship, characteristic of a New York City performer. They played mostly Chicago material which did both groups justice.
Brewer and Shipley, a slightly over hyped but fairly good folk team ended the day at the park. They played some of their own songs plus some original arrangements of music by other musicians. They had the quality of being outstanding, but it was obvious that they were new to the audience situations that the record company had put them. They both combined their voices with their guitars giving them a full and balanced sound- a sound that the parkers love. They played their philosophy in music, "Free expressi
on of music".
After Shayde came Freight. This group consists of nine members, three of which make up an incredible horn section. Rico, their front-man, displayed professional showmanship, characteristic of a New York City performer. They played mostly Chicago material which did both groups justice.
Brewer and Shipley, a slightly over hyped but fairly good folk team ended the day at the park. They played some of their own songs plus some original arrangements of music by other musicians. They had the quality of being outstanding, but it was obvious that they were new to the audience situations that the record company had put them. They both combined their voices with their guitars giving them a full and balanced sound.
Celestial Omnibus in Piedmont
Thanks to Tom Harrison who found these two photos from 1971 loose in a drawer. Go see what could you find?
Anyone recognize these bands playing in Piedmont March 1971?
