Mar y sol festival
Encyclopedia
The Mar y Sol Festival was a Woodstock
-like music festival
that took place in Manatí
, 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 original plans started in early 1971 with different producers and a different list of performers. The original name was "Fiesta del Sol" (Party of the Sun). Due to difficulties, including attempts by the Puerto Rican government
to stop this festival from happening, the plans ended up in the hands of promoter Alex Cooley (Atlanta International Pop Festivals, Music Midtown Festival).
The planned new date for the festival (April 1–3) was a religious weekend in Puerto Rico. After promotional posters had been printed, news of the Puerto Rican government's determination to stop the festival made some bands decide not to participate. New artist names were added to the performers' list during the last days before the festival took place.
In general many critics considered this festival a disaster. Several accidental deaths, a murder, rapes, etc. But New York Times reporter Les Ledbetter printed a column on April 9 entitled "It was a success -- ask the people"
A warrant was issued to arrest promoter Alex Cooley, who avoided arrest by leaving the island before the festival was over.
(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 has never been issued on a Compact Disc.
Although not on the album, an as-yet-unknown Billy Joel
electrified the crowd and got a major boost for his career. Other performers not on the album include Alice Cooper
, Dave Brubeck
and Rod Stewart
. The group Bloodrock
was hired to play, but for some odd reason was paid by the promoter not to play! The complete Emerson, Lake & Palmer gig was released in 2007 on the From the Beginning
box set.
Young artist Joseph Lee Hooker
performed two sets, including the song "Mar y Sol", which he wrote during the festival and was taped for local radio stations as a festival theme song. Hooker's second set replaced Black Sabbath
, who had been scheduled to perform but could not make it to the site because of gridlock on the roads. The guitarist was given the dubious responsibility of notifying the crowd that Black Sabbath would not be playing, and the crowd almost rioted.
Woodstock Festival
Woodstock Music & Art Fair was a music festival, billed as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music". It was held at Max Yasgur's 600-acre dairy farm in the Catskills near the hamlet of White Lake in the town of Bethel, New York, from August 15 to August 18, 1969...
-like music festival
Music festival
A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
that took place in Manatí
Manatí
Manatí may refer to:*Manatí, Puerto Rico*Manatí, Atlántico in Atlantico, Colombia*Manatí, Cuba, a municipality in Las Tunas, CubaManatí is also the Spanish word for manatee.*See also: Special:Allpages/Manatí...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, 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 original plans started in early 1971 with different producers and a different list of performers. The original name was "Fiesta del Sol" (Party of the Sun). Due to difficulties, including attempts by the Puerto Rican government
Government of Puerto Rico
The Government of Puerto Rico is a republican form of government subject to U.S. jurisdiction and sovereignty. Its current powers are all delegated by the United States Congress and lack full protection under the United States Constitution...
to stop this festival from happening, the plans ended up in the hands of promoter Alex Cooley (Atlanta International Pop Festivals, Music Midtown Festival).
The planned new date for the festival (April 1–3) was a religious weekend in Puerto Rico. After promotional posters had been printed, news of the Puerto Rican government's determination to stop the festival made some bands decide not to participate. New artist names were added to the performers' list during the last days before the festival took place.
In general many critics considered this festival a disaster. Several accidental deaths, a murder, rapes, etc. But New York Times reporter Les Ledbetter printed a column on April 9 entitled "It was a success -- ask the people"
A warrant was issued to arrest promoter Alex Cooley, who avoided arrest by leaving the island before the festival was over.
Music album
The Mar y Sol 2-LP set on Atco RecordsAtco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
(1972) is a vinyl document of parts of the festival.
The album features well-known artists such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
, Dr. John
Dr. John
Malcolm John "Mac" Rebennack, Jr. , better known by the stage name Dr. John , is an American singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist, whose music combines blues, pop, jazz as well as Zydeco, boogie woogie and rock and roll.Active as a session musician since the late 1950s, he came to wider...
, Long John Baldry
Long John Baldry
John William "Long John" Baldry was an English and Canadian blues singer and a voice actor. He sang with many British musicians, with Rod Stewart and Elton John appearing in bands led by Baldry in the 1960s. He enjoyed pop success in the UK where Let the Heartaches Begin reached No...
and The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band is an American rock/blues band once based in Macon, Georgia. The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman , who were supported by Dickey Betts , Berry Oakley , Butch Trucks , and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe"...
, as well as up-and-coming artists such as The Mahavishnu Orchestra
The Mahavishnu Orchestra
The Mahavishnu Orchestra was a jazz fusion group, led by John McLaughlin, that debuted in 1971, dissolved in 1976 and reunited from 1984 to 1987.-First Mahavishnu Orchestra:...
with John McLaughlin
John McLaughlin (musician)
John McLaughlin , also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English guitarist, bandleader and composer...
, John Nitzinger
John Nitzinger
John Nitzinger is a Fort Worth, Texas guitarist and songwriter. In the very early 1970s, Nitzinger penned five songs for the Fort Worth band Bloodrock. When Bloodrock 2 went Gold, Nitzinger signed a contract with Capitol Records and his first album, the self titled Nitzinger, was released in...
, Osibisa
Osibisa
Osibisa is a British Afro-pop band, founded in London in 1969 by four expatriate African and three Caribbean musicians. Osibisa were one of the first African bands to become widely popular, leading to claims of founding World Music.-History:...
, Jonathan Edwards and Cactus
Cactus (band)
Cactus is an American hard rock supergroup, formed in 1970.-Biography:Cactus was initially conceived as early as late 1969 by the Vanilla Fudge rhythm section of bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice with guitarist Jeff Beck and Xylophone player Adele Smitchell acted as the counterpart and...
.
The album has never been issued on a Compact Disc.
Side 1
- The J. Geils Band - Looking For A Love – 5:16
- The Mahavishnu OrchestraThe Mahavishnu OrchestraThe Mahavishnu Orchestra was a jazz fusion group, led by John McLaughlin, that debuted in 1971, dissolved in 1976 and reunited from 1984 to 1987.-First Mahavishnu Orchestra:...
with John McLaughlinJohn McLaughlin (musician)John McLaughlin , also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English guitarist, bandleader and composer...
- The Noonward Race – 13:20 - Dr. JohnDr. JohnMalcolm John "Mac" Rebennack, Jr. , better known by the stage name Dr. John , is an American singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist, whose music combines blues, pop, jazz as well as Zydeco, boogie woogie and rock and roll.Active as a session musician since the late 1950s, he came to wider...
- Wang Dang Doodle – 5:10
Side 2
- B. B. KingB. B. KingRiley B. King , known by the stage name B.B. King, is an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter.Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at No.3 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. According to Edward M...
- Why I Sing The Blues – 6:12 - OsibisaOsibisaOsibisa is a British Afro-pop band, founded in London in 1969 by four expatriate African and three Caribbean musicians. Osibisa were one of the first African bands to become widely popular, leading to claims of founding World Music.-History:...
- Y Sharp – 8:34 - labeled as "Do You Know" - CactusCactus (band)Cactus is an American hard rock supergroup, formed in 1970.-Biography:Cactus was initially conceived as early as late 1969 by the Vanilla Fudge rhythm section of bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice with guitarist Jeff Beck and Xylophone player Adele Smitchell acted as the counterpart and...
- Bedroom Mazurka – 5:00
Side 3
- The Allman Brothers BandThe Allman Brothers BandThe Allman Brothers Band is an American rock/blues band once based in Macon, Georgia. The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman , who were supported by Dickey Betts , Berry Oakley , Butch Trucks , and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe"...
- Ain't Wastin' Time No More – 4:59 - Emerson, Lake & PalmerEmerson, Lake & PalmerEmerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
- Take A Pebble/Lucky Man – 7:33 - NitzingerJohn NitzingerJohn Nitzinger is a Fort Worth, Texas guitarist and songwriter. In the very early 1970s, Nitzinger penned five songs for the Fort Worth band Bloodrock. When Bloodrock 2 went Gold, Nitzinger signed a contract with Capitol Records and his first album, the self titled Nitzinger, was released in...
- Texas Blues/Jelly Roll – 9:18
Side 4
- Jonathan Edwards - Sometimes In The Morning – 4:15
- Jonathan Edwards - Train Of Glory – 3:35
- John BaldryLong John BaldryJohn William "Long John" Baldry was an English and Canadian blues singer and a voice actor. He sang with many British musicians, with Rod Stewart and Elton John appearing in bands led by Baldry in the 1960s. He enjoyed pop success in the UK where Let the Heartaches Begin reached No...
- Bring My Baby Back – 6:22 - Herbie MannHerbie MannHerbert Jay Solomon , better known as Herbie Mann, was a Jewish American jazz flutist and important early practitioner of world music...
- Respect Yourself – 9:22
Although not on the album, an as-yet-unknown Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
electrified the crowd and got a major boost for his career. Other performers not on the album include Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck
David Warren "Dave" Brubeck is an American jazz pianist. He has written a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". Brubeck's style ranges from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills...
and Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
. The group Bloodrock
Bloodrock
Bloodrock was an American hard rock band, based in Fort Worth, Texas, that had considerable success in the 1970s, and was one of the earliest of a number of significant bands to emerge from the Fort Worth club and music scene during the early to mid 1970s and on into the new century.-Early...
was hired to play, but for some odd reason was paid by the promoter not to play! The complete Emerson, Lake & Palmer gig was released in 2007 on the From the Beginning
From the Beginning (box set)
From the Beginning is a box set which presents aural and visual documentation celebrating Emerson, Lake & Palmer's career; consisting of five discs that include a number of single b-sides, significant live recordings, alternative studio mixes and material taken from band rehearsals, plus a bonus...
box set.
Young artist Joseph Lee Hooker
Joseph Lee Hooker
Joseph Lee Hooker is an American pop, Christian, and inspirational music singer and songwriter. Born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hooker has achieved his largest successes with Roman Catholic-themed music, including Singing the Rosary and Our Priests...
performed two sets, including the song "Mar y Sol", which he wrote during the festival and was taped for local radio stations as a festival theme song. Hooker's second set replaced Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, who had been scheduled to perform but could not make it to the site because of gridlock on the roads. The guitarist was given the dubious responsibility of notifying the crowd that Black Sabbath would not be playing, and the crowd almost rioted.