This Festival Bigger Than Woodstock Has Been Largely Forgotten

When most people think of the 1960s, one pretty clear image usually comes to mind: Woodstock. The legendary music festival became synonymous with the hippie movement, and for many, nothing could ever top that gathering — until one festival actually did. Several years after that unforgettable three-day romp, another musical gathering made Woodstock look like a backyard barbecue. But as the years went on, the memory of this incredible festival began to fade, all but disappearing into obscurity... until now.

Going Bigger

Woodstock was iconic, an event that went beyond just music, and the 400,000 people that attended would certainly agree. But for a festival known for its size and lasting influence, Woodstock wasn't actually the biggest of its time.

Koplik and Finkel

Just four years after the legendary performance, concert promoters Jim Koplik and Shelly Finkel laid the plans for a festival that would put Woodstock to shame. Held at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Raceway in Watkins Glen, New York, the event would come to be known as "Summer Jam '73."

One Day of Music

Unlike the three-day Woodstock jam fest, Summer Jam was scheduled for just one day and would only feature three acts. But these weren't just any three acts: The Grateful Dead, The Band, and The Allman Brothers Band were all slated to grace the festival stage.

Selling Like Hotcakes

With the promise of a big-name lineup, 150,000 tickets were snatched up as music fans across the country marked their calendars for July 28th. The festival would certainly attract more attendees as word of mouth got around, but, come on: how many people would really show up?