Goose Lake Rock Festival by edwards_sa
The headlines of the local newspaper read, "125,000 and Still Coming." The reporter of the story wrote, "Goose Lake Park's rock festival is no county fair, state fair or world's fair. It's a young people's fair."
Held in August 1970, the Goose Lake festival was similar to the more famous outdoor concert near Woodstock, New York, that took place a year earlier. Some reports said 200,000 people attended the three-day outdoor concert near Jackson, Michigan. The two dozen bands that played at Goose Lake included such big names as Chicago, Jethro Tull and Bob Seger.
But Goose Lake was not without controversy. Local residents opposed the festival, fearing the commotion that would result when thousands of young people gathered near their homes.
Despite the huge crowd of people, there were no reports of physical violence. A University of Michigan doctor, one of a dozen doctors at the festival providing free medical treatment, thought the absence of violence "was a credit to a generation."
While there was no violence at Goose Lake, the popular use of illegal drugs, especially marijuana, was a concern for authorities. To avoid sparking a "riot," the police only arrested drug users or dealers who were outside the park. After the concert, Governor William Milliken was outraged about drug use at Goose Lake. "Rock festivals are a great idea," the governor said, "but without the drugs." A doctor at the concert wondered if the reports of drug abuse "may have been exaggerated." At the festival's four hospital tents, 400 people were treated for an assortment of illnesses and injuries. But there were only a few drug overdose patients.
When the Goose Lake festival ended, local citizens expressed their thoughts about having hosted the biggest rock festival in Michigan history. Some complained of a lack of sleep because the music was so loud. One local resident found the concert "a nerve-racking deal," while another said he would fight future rock festivals "to the last ditch." Others disagreed. A Goose Lake farmer said all the noise and activity did not affect his cows who he said were "contented." A gas station attendant said the station was unusually busy during the weekend, but things went "smoothly . . . we had no problems at all."
To learn more about Michigan's music history, look for the current issue of Michigan History for Kids magazine. Call (800) 366-3703 or visit www.michiganhistorymagazine.com for more information.
Here's a video of Mountain performing Mississippi Queen at the Goose Lake Festival. More cowbell. 
31 Comments
Goose Lake memories Why Michigan's most important rock fest remains an obscure footnote in rock history - by Mark Deming for the Metro Times
Continue reading
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
Does this festival have any paranornal related past if does contact me at yahoo.com or myspace my yahoo is rlyspitler@yahoo.com or *Riles4u* search for freinds
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
i remember going to glp way way back.. we had a van full.and ran up to the show from kokomo ind.when we arrived at the show i was in hippie heaven.. what a freedom zone! itll never be that cool again.... or will it? to have this venue back for shows will not only stimulate the imagination and the karma,,, but its great for the economy,,,, lets rock! i would be happy to play a slot for thekids there anytime.. might even bring the band...
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Some of you that may have photos, yes photos, please post. I was there and amazed there are so few links on the inernet.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
A friend of mine, Doug Eash, & I thumbed to the concert from Goshen, Indiana. When we arrived at the entrance, the person taking the tickets said we could not enter unless we drank from his jug. The jug contained Electric Orange Koolaid. So...we drank. I remember 10 Years After was playing on stage. We woke up the next morning surrounded by bikers & next to the OD tent. I was scared shitless!!! I was only 17 & I had heard nothing but bad things about bikers. I came from a small Mennonite community! The bikers invited us to have breakfast. We shared some food & smoke with them & then we were on our way. I went away with a warm feeling for the bikers & their brotherhood. We had a wonderful time & the memories have lasted me many, many years! PEACE!
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
this was the greatest rock festaval ever good weather good weed no problems
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I'm looking for a Doug Eash...we grew up together in Lansing Michigan...is this the same person??
Angel Crowe
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
My dad was the owner and promoter of the Goose Lake Music Festival. We the family would like to see the recognition the festival deserves. Lets get more info out there on how one of a kind this was, from the stage to the grounds. It was also the 2nd largest second to Woodstock. This year being the 40th anniversary we are celebrating by offering via ebay t shirts and other memorabilia we will be ready by the 1st of June. Goose Lake ROCKS!!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
7 
0
Sheri,
I attended with 5 friends from Ypsilanti. I have a new friend (15 years) that also attended from Grand Rapids. I was at his house today, we have been talking about a 40 year reunion/re-visit for the last couple years. Has anyone spoken with the Greenwood Acres (current owner) about a reunion? I understand the stage has been replaced by a Community Center Bldg but the speaker towers are still there. What is your Ebay site?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
John, thanks for the feedback, we thought about it somewhere else, but too much involved. I thought a local band thing, but too many liabilities. We put up on ebay a 40th anniversary shirt and while my supplies last, we are giving an original chip with each shirt ordered. Check it out they are really cool.
Sheri
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Sheri,
I'm a reporter for the Jackson Citizen Patriot and am doing a historical piece on the Festival in honor of the 40th anniversary. I'd like to talk to you. Can you email me at lsmith@citpat.com?
Thanks,
Leanne
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
i was there the whole time i remember everthing to cool it was outasite best ever
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
i also helped with the great watermellon escapade causing driver to give em away i peeked oc mesc to theme for an imaginary webtern went there with john and char sure miss em
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I was there!....for three days....it was something else....have pictures to prove it! There were some really great bands. They didn't expect as many that came....not enought food....the lake was a joke....it was more like a swamp....men and women used the bathrooms together...no doors...lots of really stoned people...Hell's Angels guarded all the gates and were charging people to get in....It was a crazy 3 days...but great memories.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hey all you Goose Lake Fans!! See our shirts at ebay they are a great 40th anniversary item when you purchase one you also get a free chip(the ticket to get in). Great shirt to celebrate in or just wear a cool shirt. Hope to see you at ebay, Thanks.
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
Check out this story on the 40th anniversary of this festival.
http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2010/08/post_28.html
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Great story on Goose Lake, the concert deserves some recognition. It was for a GOOD thing. Wear your goose lake t shirts proudly.
ROCK ON GOOSE LAKE
Sheri(Dick's daughter)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Original print Goose Lake tee shirts are still available! You can find them at a store in downtown Jackson, Michigan. The store is C K Barrymore's. It's on Mechanic Street, just a few doors North of the Michigan Theater.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Hi Everyone! I can corroborate Sheri's memories of the festival. Sheri, I would love to get in touch with you! I still have a t-shirt and a token from your dad's festival
email me at sdunb9@aol.com.
Are you on facebook? Do you still Sherice?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
hi sheri ... I would like to get in touch with you about the Gooese lake festival ... There is a student at U M who is researching it ... there is a group on facebook called "Goose Lake International Music Festival" ... please take a look at it ... I am wondering if you or your Dad or someone has film footage of photos stored away someplace ??
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
ALRIGHT!!! I would love to purchase a t-shirt!I was 17 years old and attended the festival.My "crew" arrived there on Wednesday.We were in a school bus painted like an American flag.We stayed until Monday.I saw it all and it changed my life.PEACE.
SHERI=can you please contact me?Your Father did a beautiful thing.Bless Him & Family...
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hello Sheri...I believe that I forgot my email address.It is bludaddy5@hotmail.com......I will be needing more than a shirt.The count is growing!Many people came to the festival from Bryan,Ohio(me included).I'm excited!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I was there. 15 years old at the time. It was awesome. One of my best memories ever. Sure do miss those days. Too bad they never had another. Woodstock didn't hold a candle to this one
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Hey Goose Lake fans, sorry have not visited this site in a while. So So glad to see so many good postings. CK Barrymore, my dad asked you nicely not to sell shirts that you were not authorized to do, shame shame on your lack of respect. Susan will be contacting you and David too. Will check out face book too. We are still on e bay for a shirt and a chip from the real owners of Goose Lake Rock Festival, my dad designed this one too. Thanks to all our real supporters of Goose Lake.
Sheri
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
My friends and I had been to the Festival Express in Toronto earlier in the summer...very cool. However, we were given some bad stuff. Hence, when I made it to Goose Lake I avowed not to take anything other than a cold beer or two. In view of such, I was able to totally enjoy the music, notwithstanding the pressure to indulge in what could have been another not so good trip. Goose Lake Lives On Forever! Oh, we paid our way in, but no one took our tickets as we crawled through a hole in the fence. Go figure. Where are the videos?
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
My Parents where killed when I was 12 at 15 I ran away . I went to Gooselake Rock Festival with someone I still dont remember. I think they where a dealer they let me try some crystle looking stuff they had me sniff it .It made me happy until I took to much
and I over dosed on crystle speed the Doctors saved my life..... I just want to say THANKYOU to the medical people GOD is so good I could have died . I still remember the smell in the air, I never used drugs again after that night. all the things I been through I learned from it thankyou again to all the doctors!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL ........ Im still hippie! love yall
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The festival was great tho I dont remember much in amenities. It was a real bummer tho that it rained the last nite and people started clearing out b4 it was over. The cops were right there as we were leaving in the a.m. busting people. Hitchhiking was illegal and if you didnt have a ride you were screwed. A real buzz kill.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I was there and I took my little brother who was 16 at the time.I'll never forget it.Why doesn't someone remake the T-shirts .I still have my ticket.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I was there I wish I could remember more about it than I do.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
greg the tshirts are available on ebay just type in Goose Lake Music Festival Tshirts and we come up. My dad had as awesome festival and we made up a bunch of tshirts in honor of it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
My wife and I went out on Sunday just to people watch. The atmosphere was one of peace.
Does anyone remember the Ella Sharpe Park Free Concerts held in the early 70's?
Any lists of preformers?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Post a Comment