Seven ages of rock - a history of rock music over the past 50 years

Rolling Stones at Altamont

6 December 1969

Altamont was meant to be a repeat of Woodstock, a free spirited event and brought together all greatest 60s rock acts. Hells Angels were drafted in as security for the event. Unsurprisingly they soon lost control of the situation and a fight started in the middle of a heaving crowd.

In a desperate attempt to try and prevent the disaster, Mick Jagger can be heard on the film of the event saying "We're splitting man if those cats don't stop beating everybody up inside, I want them out of the way man". Tragically his efforts were in vain as a fan was stabbed to death in the heat of the moment. Dubbed "Rock and Roll's Worst Day", this event marks the end of an era, the end of the optimism of the 60s and beginning of the struggles and conflicts of the 70s.