ABSTRACT
Altamont was only one of a series of crises which signalled the demise of the counter-culture. The association of LSD with satanism which had resulted in the Sharon Tate murders1 resulted in a panic reaction to the adverse effects of drugs. Publicity surrounding the death of famous rock stars also led to highly volatile criticisms of the counter-culture and in particular the concept of creativity through drug experience. In September 1970 Hendrix had been found dead from inhalation of vomit following barbiturate intoxication. On 4 October of the same year, Janis Joplin was dead from a heroin overdose. In 1971 Jim Morrison died of a heart attack caused by heroin or alcohol in Paris. Personal survival seemed paramount and the US broadcast licensing authorities warned radio stations that they would be subverting the government’s campaign against drug abuse if they played lyrics which mentioned dope. The bad reception of Joni Mitchell at the Isle of Wight Festival, the disruption of the festival by French, Algerian and American revolutionaries and the questioning of the motives behind Woodstock highlighted the problems of festivals in general. Finally, the killing of four students at Kent State University tragically proved how deep was the gulf between those who wanted to change America and its policies in Vietnam, and the conservative majority who believed in law and order above everything else.
