Preview: Music Movie Mondays – ‘Monterey Pop’
The Woodstock Music and Art Fair of August 1969 is often recalled as the beginning of the festival era, the spark that lit the fire. There’s some truth to that, but the real turning point – at which wider pop culture coincided with the concept of a massive music festival – all started in June 1967 at the Monterey Pop Festival.
That three-day event showcased both major stars and up-and-comers; the lineup included now-legendary performances by Otis Redding, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, The Byrds, The Grateful Dead and more than two dozen other acts. A rousing success, the festival created a template for the festival movement. And documentary filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker was there with a crew, capturing the concert for history. His acclaimed film, Monterey Pop premiered in theaters in December 1968.
Nearly 55 years after its original release, the excitement, appeal and influence of the concert festival and its documentary film continue to endure. Grail Moviehouse proudly presents a special one-night screening of the movie on Monday, June 12. Hosted by author, speaker and music journalist Bill Kopp, the evening will feature a screening of the film followed by an interactive discussion. Monterey Pop is the latest in Grail Moviehouse’s ongoing series, Music Movie Mondays.
“Going to the movies has always been a kind of communal experience,” says Kopp, host of Music Movie Mondays. “Especially in this post-lockdown era, the opportunity to not only watch a film but then to discuss it with others is something even more special. And music-related films lend themselves remarkably well to this kind of shared, interactive experience.”
Sponsored by AshevilleFM 103.3, this one-night-only screening of Monterey Pop is the latest in the series of Music Movie Mondays at Grail Moviehouse. Every month, we’ll watch and discuss new releases, classics and cult favorites.
WHAT: Music Movie Mondays Series: Monterey Pop
Special screening + moderated discussion hosted by Bill Kopp
WHERE: Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy Street, Asheville
WHEN: Monday, June 12 @ 7 p.m. / Tickets are $15 and likely to sell out!
You may also enjoy: My 2007 interview with Monterey Pop luminaries Lou Adler and Michelle Phillips.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.