We spent our honeymoon in northern California, and part of that experience consisted of a ride down the Pacific Coast highway from Half Moon Bay to Carmel. On this drive, we went through Monterey, and I could only think of one thing.
I wish I could have attended the Monterey Pop Festival, one of the great music festivals of the 1960s. Music festivals have become popular. In fact, Bonnaroo takes places just down the road from here. However, current festivals cannot be as good as the originals.
Earlier, “Monterey” by The Animals popped up on my iPod, and I realized something. I was not able to attend Monterey because I was not alive, but I can always write a blog post about it.
How will I write about something that I did not attend? Easy. I will provide the lyrics to the song and put pictures to it.
The people came and listened
Some of them came and played
Others gave flowers away
Yes they did
Down in Monterey
Down in Monterey
Young gods smiled upon the crowd
Their music being born of love
Children danced night and day
Religion was being born
Down in Monterey
The Byrds
and the Airplane
Did fly
Oh, Ravi Shankar’s
Music made me cry
The Who exploded
Into violent light
Hugh Masekela’s music
Was black as night
The Grateful Dead
Blew everybody’s mind
Jimi Hendrix, baby
Believe me
Set the world on fire, yeah!
His majesty
Prince Jones smiled as he
Moved among the crowd
Ten thousand electric guitars
Were groovin’ real loud, yeah
If you wanna find the truth in life
Don’t pass music by
And you know
I would not lie
No, I would not lie
No, I would not lie
Down in Monterey
Three days of understanding
Of moving with one another
Even the cops grooved with us
Do you believe me?
Yeah!
Down in Monterey
Down in Monterey, yeah
Down in Monterey
Down in Monterey, yeah
I think that maybe I’m dreamin’!
Monterey!
Monterey-yeah!
Down in Monterey
Did you hear what I said?
Down in Monterey
That some music
Monterey
I said
Monterey, Monterey, Monterey
Yeah-yeah, hey-hey-hey
A-ay, a-ay, a-ay-a-ay
SBI: A Thinning Crowd 
Good one, Rick!
Thanks
We took that drive the first time we were staying in San Francisco. We drove all the way down through Carmel and Monterey. Montery, we ate in a restaurant on pontoons and watched the sea otters play. It was great, one of my top five favorite travel memories.
It’s a beautiful part of the country.
ive driven up and down that road. down is better – for 2 reasons: you’re getting away – and you can see more the right side of the road.
That’s true. You are driving closer to the ocean.
seems like a one time thing during a remarkable revolution that few of us recognized or appreciated in the moment. i missed most of it .. i was a dumb kid in small town alberta.
but i had had the music. and loved it.
as you do.
As I tell my classes, most people missed these events. You had to be in the right place at the right time.
It is festival season but I don’t think the current ones compare to the great ones of the past.
There is no way they can.
Oh,it has been years since I have been to Monterey!!!Reading this post brought back so many great memories,thank you!
Tell me,is the ocean still clear and beautiful there?
Oh, I also met Clint Eastwood many years ago out there😊.
Meeting Clint Eastwood would be awesome.
I snuck out to the beach..I knew it was private..it was just too beautiful…I notice a person also walking..He was very polite and had a great smile!!When I realized he was Clint Eastwood ..he gave me a hug and kiss on my cheek and told me to enjoy the view!!!! We talked a little while..then continued on our way!!
Very cool