The Hippie Apocalypse

This is Sophie.

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This chapter is disturbing because it begins with the discussion of multiple brutal murders committed by the Zodiac killer, whose identity is still unknown.  I read this chapter after the first 1969 chapter, America Undressed, which was geared towards showing the sexual revolution as coming to a climax in 1969.  This previous chapter discusses 1969 as a year in which the expression of sexuality was now considered liberating and was encouraged to be in the public eye by authors, movie producers and magazine editors.

Unlike this portrayal of 1969, The Hippie Apocalypse painted the year in a dimmer light.  The Zodiac killer along with the Manson murders were two tragic events that brought a dreary perspective to the year 1969.  In this chapter, famed super-groupie, Pamela Des Barres, was quoted saying "The Manson murders changed the idea that hippies were safe, that hippies were harmless, that hippies could inflict no harm on anybody."

This chapter also portrays a lot of violence that musicians, who seemed to have a pull in the spotlight, could not control.  Drugs, alcohol, and Hells Angels evaded the rock and roll concert at Altamont.  Various fights broke out, most of them involving Hells Angels.  Shortly after Jagger took the stage, a gun was pulled by someone in the audience and a deadly fight broke out between him and members of Hells Angels.  Jagger attempted to calm the audience pleading "Come on, let's get it together.  I can't do any more than just ask you, than to beg you to keep it together.  You can do it; it's within your power.  Everyone, Hells Angels, everybody.  You know, if we are all one, then let's show we're all one", however, the man died along with three other fans at the Altamont.

This article painted 1969 in more of an out-of-control, frantic way.  Those who were once thought of as safe and peaceful were now considered dangerous.