CANADA – APRIL 01: Photo of ROLLING STONES; L-R: Mick Jagger, Ron Wood (Ronnie Wood) and Keith Richards (all playing guitars) performing live onstage at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium, playing a benefit concert after Keith Richards’ drug bust (Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns)

The 1969 Altamont Speedway Free Festival, headlined by the Rolling Stones, has gone down in history not only for its musical significance but also for the tragic events that unfolded. The decision to hire the Hells Angels motorcycle club as security led to a fateful altercation, resulting in the death of 18-year-old Meredith Hunter. The subsequent trial of Alan Passaro, a Hells Angels member charged with murder, took a surprising turn with footage captured by film crews for the Stones documentary ‘Gimme Shelter’ offering a unique perspective. On January 19, 1971, Passaro found himself at the center of a courtroom drama that would ultimately deliver a not guilty verdict, though legal issues unrelated to the Altamont incident kept him behind bars.

 

The Altamont Speedway Free Festival was intended to be a West Coast equivalent of Woodstock, a celebration of music, peace, and love. However, the decision to hire the Hells Angels as security turned the event into a volatile mix of counterculture, rebellion, and chaos. The clash between the Hells Angels and festival-goers reached its tragic climax during the Rolling Stones’ performance, resulting in Meredith Hunter’s death.

 

At the heart of the Altamont tragedy was Alan Passaro, a member of the Hells Angels security detail. Passaro fatally stabbed Meredith Hunter during a confrontation, an act that would later be claimed as self-defense. The chaos and violence were caught on film by documentary crews shooting footage for the Rolling Stones’ ‘Gimme Shelter,’ providing a rare and unfiltered look at the grim reality that unfolded at Altamont.

 

As Passaro faced murder charges, the ‘Gimme Shelter’ documentary became a crucial piece of evidence in the trial. The footage captured the escalating tension and the tragic moment when Passaro stabbed Hunter. Passaro argued that he acted in self-defense, claiming that Hunter had pulled a gun, and the film supported this version of events. The trial would hinge on the interpretation of the footage and the question of whether Passaro’s actions were justified.

 

On January 19, 1971, Alan Passaro was found not guilty of the murder of Meredith Hunter. The footage from ‘Gimme Shelter’ played a pivotal role in supporting Passaro’s claim of self-defense. However, despite the favourable verdict for the Altamont incident, Passaro still faced legal consequences for unrelated crimes, specifically charges related to the possession of marijuana. As a result, Passaro remained incarcerated despite being acquitted of the most infamous event connected to Altamont.

 

Altamont stands as a cautionary tale, a stark contrast to the idealistic visions of peace and love associated with the 1960s counterculture. The tragedy that unfolded at the Speedway, immortalized in ‘Gimme Shelter,’ remains a sombre reminder of the darker side of rock festivals and the unforeseen consequences of poor planning and security decisions.

 

The Altamont Speedway Free Festival meant to capture the spirit of the 1960s, instead became a symbol of tragedy and violence. The hiring of Hells Angels as security, the fatal stabbing of Meredith Hunter, and the subsequent trial of Alan Passaro all left an indelible mark on the history of rock music. The twist of fate provided by ‘Gimme Shelter’ footage added a layer of complexity to the legal proceedings, highlighting the intertwining of music, law, and the consequences of a day that went tragically wrong.