In the autumn of 1969 and twice more in 1970, three festivals took place in Essen’s Grugahalle on the initiative of the young Konrad Mallison with the “Essen Pop and Blues Days”, which presented a very large number of the best bands in the rock scene in its early stages. The thousands of hippies and freaks may not have been aware of this, but historically these festivals can be counted among the pioneering achievements and thus the beginning of festival culture in Germany. To mention just a few names, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Supertramp, but also many more from very different areas of rock music.
Unfortunately, the performances were not fully and completely documented. But some very well-preserved recordings have come to light. The WDR sound engineer at the time did not always press the “stop” button on the few recordings that still exist.
MIG music is working to preserve these jewels. The first release now includes two festival performances (1969 and 1970) by the Keef Hartley Band, an important representative of the British blues rock scene at the time – a total of almost 2 hours of music. In retrospect, the singer, composer and guitarist of the band at the time, Miller Anderson, regards these recordings as the best audio document of the group that has survived alongside the first studio albums. The double CD “Live at Essen Pop and Blues Festival 1969 / 1970″ will be released on 26.04.2024. There will be a first audio sample on 05.04.2024.
The next steps are already planned. This includes the almost 50-minute performance of the Third Ear Band as representatives of the London Psycho / Garage / Folk Rock Scene, unique and incomparable.
We hope for further releases.