November 22, 2011 5:40pm

Best Festival Photographs Ever: Part 1

Woodstock, Altamont and Big Sur through the lens.
Images from Woodstock. Photography by Robert Altman.

We compiled a list of some of our favourite festival photographs of all time. Shot by such greats as Robert Altman, Henry Diltz, Ethan Russell and Richard E. Aaron, these snaps capture some of the most iconic music moments from Woodstock, Altamont, Big Sur and more. 

Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock

Jimi Hendrix by Henry Diltz

This iconic image of a fringed and free-spirited Jimi Hendrix was captured at Woodstock on August 18 1969 by the festival's official photographer, Henry Diltz. The flare pants, fringed jacket and even that guitar strap so perfectly represent the era, on the very cusp of the sixties and the seventies.

 

Mick Jagger at Altamont

Mick Jagger by Ethan Russell

The Rolling Stones' official photographer at the time, Ethan Russell, captured this intimate moment with the band's frontman, Mick Jagger, at the infamous Altamont Speedway Free Festival on December 6 1969. The photograph represents a very rare personal moment in what was overall a very chaotic performance, which saw the stabbing of 18 year-old Meredith Hunter by a Hell's Angel and is widely regarded by some as the end of the hippy era.

 

Fleetwood Mac at UCLA Rock 'n' Run

This photograph of Fleetwood Mac members Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks was captured by Richard E. Aaron at the UCLA Rock and Run charity event in 1983. The band were performing Rihannon at the time and appear to be sharing a moment of eternal ecstasy. 

 

Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash at Big Sur

Mitchell and Nash by Altman

Here, Robert Altman captures an intimate moment between Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash (of Crosby Stills and Nash) at the Big Sur Folk Festival in June 1969. The Crosby Stills Nash and Young song 'Our House' is about the brief affair between Nash and Mitchell, which allegedly left the crooner conflicted between hippy free love and monogamy.

 

Grace Slick at Woodstock

Grace Slick by Henry Diltz

Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane, photographed hanging out at Woodstock in 1969 by festival photographer, Henry Diltz. I love her lace-up, fringed and flared white pantsuit. And is that a joint in her hand?

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