On June 18th of 1967, a then unknown group wowed the crowd with psychedelic music and a performance the likes of which had never been seen before, EVER. At the end of their music changing set, our star lit his guitar on fire. The VIDEO is HERE, the burn mark is still on the stage 51 years after THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE played. They were known around the world after that. They capitalized on their new found fame by going on tour, as the opening act for... THE MONKEES.

My ax grinding friend Rob Espinosa of Rio Salinas, played there a few weeks ago and got this shot of history that we can all enjoy. Thanks Rob.

Arguably, this FIRST concert festival, The Monterey Pop Festival, became the template for the way concerts would be done in the future, and it made stars out of many who performed at that 3 day show. The Who, Steve Miller, Simon &  Garfunkle, Janis Joplin, Canned Heat, Otis Redding and Jimi Hendrix.

BTW, Jimi lit his guitar on fire so as not to be outdone when following The Who, who's Pete Townshend, destroyed his guitar.

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