I was back on the Isle of Wight recently, including a visit to Dimbola in Freshwater. It is the ex-house of Margaret Cameron, the photographer, but it also has an exhibition of the Isle of Wight Festival through the ages.
I've been on the island for several of the festivals, including ones I've attended, but this time I was able to see right back to the beginnings.
A trio of brothers (the Foulks) started the Isle of Wight Festival and used money raised as part of the Isle of Wight Indoor Swimming Pool Association (IWSPA) to assist build the funds. Improbably they were able to secure an act to perform in the small sleepy village of Godshill, which was mainly famous for its cream teas, coach parties and a model village.
The band they acquired? Jefferson Airplane. 'One pill makes you taller and one pill makes you small' etc.
They acquired The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Tyrannosaurus Rex (pre T-Rex) later. They managed to get 10,000 along to that fledgeling event. The Solent River meant many would need to travel by ferry, which was restrictive unless they had sure-fire headliners.
Fast forward another year and I visited the island at the time of a festival. I still remember the sticker. 'Help Bob Dylan sink the Isle of Wight' was the surprisingly modern slogan. They were everywhere.
Dylan had been in a motorcycle accident three years earlier and was yet to reappear on the concert circuit, and by the luck of the three brothers and a deal they agreed in the Drake Hotel in New York, through their Feiry Creations company, they managed to secure him for the Isle of Wight, with the promise of a holiday included in their hospitality package. Dylan and family were due to sail across on the QE2, but Dylan's son was hit by a ship door and suffered mild concussion. They flew over a week later to Heathrow, and then onward to the Festival.
At the time (1969), radio stations were playing Lay, Lady, Lay and the concert was slated for a venue near to Ryde. Another pop tune of the time was 'Everyone's Gone to the Moon' by Jonathan King.
Then take a look at the poster for that concert, Dylan, The Who, Joe Cocker, Tom Paxton, Julie Felix, The Moody Blues, The Pretty Things, The Nice, The Bonzo Dog Band...the list goes on.
From 50,000 to this time 150,000. and still nowhere near the number at the 1970 concert.
I was around the island for the 1970 concert as well. This was at Afton Downs near Freshwater and I was staying in Totland Bay, which co-incidentally was where the Fiery Creations were based.
This time, there was no mistaking that the circus was in town. It is estimated that 600,000-700,000 attended. according to the Guinness book- about double the size of Woodstock. Everywhere were hippies, and festival go-ers similarly attired.
The main draw. The man with the guitar. Jimi Hendrix. It's all been recorded and the set is even available on Polydor, including his references to his new Danish girlfriend Kirsten Nefer. Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd ran the mixer desk during the set. Hendrix plays what must be one of his last recorded live sets. So many blindingly good numbers, with a ragged edge.
Yes, I am a great fan.
True to the coastal venue, a fire at the end of the set was started by a marine flare.
Now, 2023, like several before it, is staged in the centre of the island in Newport, well and truly embedded in the Island's culture, with shops closing so that staff can see the acts.
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