This is a new documentary about the first US Festival. It features interviews with various people involved, including a lot of the musicians, backstage footage and performance footage. It tells the story of how the whole event came from a germ of an idea and went through all kinds of obstacles to become a massive and very successful event. It talks about how certain bands really owned the show (The B-52s for one). I found the interviews to be fascinating. I remember at the time hearing about this festival, but I had no idea just how revolutionary it was. I mean, I was old enough to remember seeing footage of Woodstock on TV when I was a child. So, to me the whole idea of a massive music festival wasn't revolutionary, but in many ways this one really was. The lineup itself was exceptional with everyone from Santana to the Cars, The Ramones, Tom Petty, The Police, Fleetwood Mac and more. The one warning I have is don't come here looking for a concert video, though, because you will probably be disappointed. This is a documentary and you get it in both BluRay and DVD format. That makes this well worth having and a good value.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2018  Volume 5. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.