On the last two days of August 1969, just two weeks after the Woodstock festival, the second Isle Of Wight festival took place.
Over 150,000 fans turned up over the two days to see Bob Dylan, The Band, Blodwyn Pig, Blonde On Blonde, Bonzo Dog Dooh Dah Band, Edgar Broughton Band, Joe Cocker, Aynsley Dunbar, Family, Fat Mattress, Julie Felix, Free, Gypsy, Richie Havens, The Moody Blues, The Nice, Tom Paxton, Pentangle, The Pretty Things, Third Ear Band and The Who.
Tickets cost 25 shillings, ($3.00) and celebrities who attended include Keith Richards and Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones, John & Yoko, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, as well as Jane Fonda, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton.
The festival is remembered today for the Who’s blistering set, Bob Dylan’s “comeback” show and the arrival on the world scene of Dylan’s backing band, The Band, who were so much more than just a support act. They would go on to become one of the most respected acts in the world and you can hear their music on our Exclusive radio station.
