pOoTer's pSycheDelic shAcK
ChroniKles - 1968

January

1st January

The Nice and Mabel Greer's Toyshop play The Marquee Club, London.

2nd January

Simon Dupree And The Big Sound play at The Marquee Club, London.

4th January

Vanilla Fudge, Steve Miller Band, Sonny Terry And Brownie McGhee play at the Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco

5th January

Vanilla Fudge, Steve Miller Band, Sonny Terry And Brownie McGhee play at Winterland, San Francisco

5th January

The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown play at Middle Earth, London

6th January

Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Creators and Walking Flower play at the Sacramento State College with lights by Simultaneous Avalanche.

Buffalo Springfield, Charles Lloyd and Turquoise play at the Earl Warren Show Grounds, Santa Barbara.

The Youngbloods, Ace Of Cups and John Baur's Rocking Cloud play The Avalon, San Francisco

Vanilla Fudge, Steve Miller Band, Sonny Terry And Brownie McGhee play at Winterland, San Francisco

Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation play at Middle Earth, London with lights by Exploding Spectrum

Amen Corner and The Section play at Hastings Pier, UK

7th January

Stop the Draft Week Defense Fund Benefit at the Fillmore Auditorium. Phil Ochs, the Loading Zone, Blue Cheer, Mad River, Mt. Rushmore and The Committee.

The Youngbloods, Ace Of Cups and John Baur's Rocking Cloud play at The Avalon Ballroom.

The Syn play at Cat Balou, Grantham, UK

8th January

The Herd play at Bath Pavillion, UK

11th January

The Chambers Brothers, Sunshine Company and Siegel Schwall play The Fillmore Auditorium with lights by Holy See

12th January

Quicksilver Messenger Service, Kaleidoscope and Charlie Musselwhite play The Avalon Ballroom with lights by Head Lights

Soft Machine plast at Drury Lane Arts Lab, London

13th January

Soft Machine play at Middle Earth

17th January

The Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service and Jerry Abram's Head Lights at the Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco.

26th/27th January

Boyd Grafmyre Presents the Grateful Dead and the Quicksilver Messenger Service at the Eagles Auditorium, Seattle.

February

1st & 4th February

Bill Graham presents The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Soft Machine and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers at the Fillmore Auditorium.

2nd/3rd February

Bill Graham presents The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Soft Machine and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers at the Fillmore Auditorium.

2nd/3rd February

Boyd Grafmyre Presents Charles Lloyd Quintet and Shyamadas with lights by Retina Circus at the Eagles Auditorium, Seattle.

4th February

Merry Prankster and Beat Hero Neal Cassady dies in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico at 41.

5th February

Soft Machine play at Sun Devils Gym, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

6th February

Soft Machine play at the VIP Club, Tucson, Arizona

8th February

The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Soft Machine and The Creators play at the Sacramento State College, Sacramento with lights by Simultaneous Avalanche.

9th February

Soft Machine plasy at Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California

10th February

Soft Machine play at Pinnacle Concert, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California

11th February

Pink Floyd appear on Top Gear, BBC Radio One.

Soft Machine play at Robertson Gym, Santa Barbara, California

12th February

Soft Machine play at Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington

13th February

Soft Machine play at Ackerman Union Grand Ballroom, UCLA, Los Angeles, California

14th February

Valentine's Day Dance at the Carousel Ballroom with the Grateful Dead and Country Joe and The Fish with lights by LSD.

Soft Machine play at Fieldhouse, Regis College, Denver, Colorado

15th February

Soft Machine play at Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas

16th February

Soft Machine play at State Fair Music Hall, Dallas, Texas

17th February

Big Brother and The Holding Company play their first gig in New York at the Anderson Theatre.

17th February

Baba Love Co. Presents Country Joe and The Fish and the Grateful Dead play at the Selland Arena, Fresno.

Soft Machine play at Will Rogers Auditorium, Fort Worth, Texas

18th February

Soft Machine play at the Music Hall, Houston, Texas

22nd February

Soft Machine play at the Electric Factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

22nd/23rd/24th

FebruaryThe Grateful Dead and Morning Glory play at the Kings Beach Bowl, Lake Tahoe, with lights by The North American Ibis Alchemical Company.

23rd February

Soft Machine play at the Masonic Temple, Detroit, Michigan

24th February

Soft Machine play at the CNE Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

25th February

Soft Machine play at the Civic Opera House, Chicago, Illinois

27th February

Soft Machine play at The Factory, Madison, Wisconsin

28th February

Soft Machine play at The Scene, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

29th February

Soft Machine play at The Scene, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

March

2nd March

Syd Barrett leaves Pink Floyd.

Soft Machine play at Hunter College, New York City

3rd March

Soft Machine play at Vets Memorial Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio

4th March

Soft Machine play at The Scene, New York City

5th March

Soft Machine play at The Scene, New York City

6th March

Soft Machine play at The Scene, New York City

8th March

Bill Graham presents Big Brother and the Holding Company, Tim Buckley and Albert King, with The Joshua Light Show at the Fillmore East, New York.

11th March

Silva Productions Presents Cream and the Grateful Dead at the Memorial Auditorium, Sacremento with lights by Light Brigade.

15th/16th March

The Charlatans and Valley Fever play at the Marigold Ballroom, Fresno, California.

15th/16th/17th March

Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead play at the Carousel Ballroom with lights by The North American Ibis Alchemical Company.

16th March

Pink Floyd play at Middle Earth, London.

22nd/23rd/24th March

Vernal Equinox Festival, Lime Kiln Creek, Big Sur

29th/30th/31st March

Grateful Dead, Chuck Berry and Curly Cooks Hurdy Gurdy Band with lights by The Edison Light Co. at the Carousel Ballroom.

April

4th April

Martin Luther King is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee which starts 2 weeks of rioting and looting all over America.

5th & 6th April

Bill Graham presents The Who, Buddy Guy, Free Spirits and The Joshua Light Show at the Fillmore East, New York.

6th April

KACEY and Jim Salzer present Electric Flag, Traffic and Steppenwolf with lights by Omega Eye at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara.

12th/13th April

Bill Graham presents the Butterfield Blues Band, the Charles Lloyd Quartet and Tom Rush with The Joshua Light Show at the Fillmore East, New York.

12th/13th April

Moby Grape, It's A Beautiful Day and Sweet Rush play at the Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco.

12th April

Pink Floyd release It Would Be So Nice/Julia Dream.

17th April

Russ Gibb Presents MC5, Jagged Edge and the Psychedelic Stooges at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit.

18th April

Russ Gibb Presents Scot Richard Case, Thyme and The Ashmollyan Quintet at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit.

19th April

Baba Love Company presents Big Brother and the Holding Company and The Mint Tattoo at the Selland Arena, Fresno, California.

19th/20th/21stApril

Erma Franklin, the Santana Blues Band and The Frumious Bandersnatch play at the Carousel Ballroom with lights by The North American Ibis Alchemical Company.

19th/20th/21st April

Russ Gibb Presents Cream, Children, Poor Richards Almanac, The Rationals, Frost, The James Gang and the Psychedelic Stooges at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit.

26th/27th April

Traffic, Blue Cheer and Iron Butterfly play at the Fillmore East, lights by The Joshua Light Show.

26th/27th/28th April

The Steve Miller Band, James and Bobby Purify and The Sons of Champlin play at the Carousel Ballroom with lights by The North American Ibis Alchemical Company.

May

3rd/4th May

Bill Graham presents Jefferson Airplane and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, with the Joshua Light Show at the Fillmore East, New York.

3rd May

Left Wing students attempt to overthrow the French government, riots, stikes and civil unrest ensue for the following month until the French army brings things to an end.

3rd/4th May

Russ Gibb Presents The Yardbirds, Frost, the MC5, Stuart Avery Assemblege and Odds And Ends at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit.

3rd/4th/5th May

Thelonious Monk, Dr. John The Night Tripper and The Charlatans play at the Carousel Ballroom, lights by The North American Ibis Alchemical Company.

8th May

Fire Dance (Alton Kelley Benefit) at the Carousel Ballroom featuring The Charlatans, Dan Hicks Hot Licks, Steve Miller Band and The Jefferson Airplane. Lights by Brotherhood Of Light.

10th May

Bill Graham presents The Jimi Hendrix Experience and the Joshua Light Show at the Fillmore East, New York.

15th May

The Hells Angels M.C present Big Brother and the Holding Company and The Youngbloods, with lights by The Brotherhood Of Light at the Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco.

17th May

Pink Floyd play at Middle Earth, London.

17th May

Big Brother and the Holding Company play at the University of California.

17th May

Jefferson Airplane play at the Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento with lights by The Light Brigade.

17th/18th/19th May

Electric Flag, The Dan Ellis Orchestra and P.G & E play at the Carousel Ballroom, with lights by The North American Ibis Alchemical Company.

17th/18th May

The Grateful Dead, Pinnacle and The Steve Miller Band (with Taj Mahal) play at the Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles.

18th/19th May

Northern California Folk Rock Festival at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds with The Doors, The Animals, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Electric Flag, Jefferson Airplane, The Youngbloods, Kaleidoscope and Country Joe.

24th/25th/26thMay

Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Clara Ward Singers and H.P Lovecraft play at the Carousel Ballroom.

24th/25th May

Straight Theatre present Charlie Musslewhite, Savage Resurrection and Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks.

24th/25th May

The Chambers Brothers, Velvet Underground, Pinnacle, Salvation and Dr. John The Night Tripper play at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles with lights by Single Wing Turquoise Bird.

26th May

Oz Benefit at

the Middle Earth Club, London.

30th May

Teen Drop-In Center Benefit at Acalanes High School, Lafayette with the Steve Miller Band, The Loading Zone, Country Weather and The Frumious Bandersnatch.

30th/31st May & 1st June

The Grateful Dead and the Charlie Musslewhite Blues Band play at the Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco.

June

5th June

Robert F. Kennedy is shot in California and later dies.

7th/8th/9thJune

Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead and Fleetwood Mac with Glen McKay's Head Lights at the Carousel Ballroom.

14th/15th June

The Straight Theatre presents The Charlatans, The Cleveland Wrecking Companye and Uncut Ballroom, with Straight Lighting.

15th June

Golden Star presents The Doors at the Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento.

19th June

The Family Tribune Presents Country Weather, The Elastik Band and Strange Laughter with lights by Keeper Of The Night

21st June

Pink Floyd play at Middle Earth, London.

29th June

Pink Floyd release A Saucerful Of Secrets.

29th June

Free Concert in Hyde Park organised by Blackhill Enterprises featuring Jethro Tull, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Roy Harper and Pink Floyd.

3rd July

The Straight Theatre present Initial Shock, Allmen Joy, Phoenix and The Indian Head Band.

4th/5th July

Spirit, Pyewacket and Stillborn Time play at The Sound Factory, Sacramento with lights by Jerry Abrams Head Lights.

19th/20th July

Bill Graham presents Jefferson Airplane and H.P Lovecraft with Head Lights lightshow at the Fillmore East, New York.

27th July

Free Concert in Hyde Park featuring Traffic, The Nice, Pretty Things, The Action and Juniors Eyes.

2nd/3rd August

Bill Graham presents Big Brother and the Holding Company, the Staple Singers, Ten Years After and The Joshua Light Show at the Fillmore East, New York.

9th/10th August

Russ Gibb Presents Canned Heat, The Jagged Edge and Children Sun at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit.

10th August

Cream’s Wheels of Fire reaches No.1 in the U.S album charts.

11th August

West Coast Love In and Watermelon Feed with Quicksilver Messenger Service, West Phoenix, Charlie Musslewhite Blues Band, The Youngbloods, Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Flamin’ Groovies, Santa Cruz.

17th August

Fire by the Crazy World Of Arthur Brown reaches No. 1 in the UK and stays there for the next 14 weeks.

23rd/24th August

H.P Lovecraft and Kaleidoscope play at the Sound Factory, Sacramento with lights by The Light Brigade.

24th August

Free Concert in Hyde Park featuring Fleetwood Mac, Family, Fairport Convention, Roy Harper, Eclection and Ten Years After.

30th August till 2nd September

San Francisco Palace Of Fine Arts Festival featuring (amongst others) Kaleidoscope and Santana, with lights by The North American Ibis Alchemical Company, Holy See and Head Lights (30th).
Linn County, A.B. Skhy, Ace of Cups, H.P.Lovecraft, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Big Mama Thornton and the Steve Miller Band, with lights by The North American Ibis Alchemical Company, Holy See and Head Lights (31st).

S.F Mime Troupe, Crome Syrcus, Sons of Champlin, Country Weather, Randy Boone, Black Pearl and the Grateful Dead, with lights by Temporary Optics, Garden of Delights and Head Lights (2nd).

31st August/1st September

The Great South Coast Bankholiday Pop Festivity, Hayles Field , Ford Farm, nr. Godshill, Isle of Wight, UK with Jefferson Airplane, The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, The Move, Plastic Penny, The Pretty Things, The Mirage, Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, Fairport Convention, Orange Bicycle, Blonde on Blonde, The Smile, The Cherokees and Halcyon Order. Compered by John Peel

Click HERE for a scan of the poster
Click HERE for a recollection of this festival by our very own Doctor Dark

September

4th September

Pink Floyd play at the Middle Earth Club, London.

14th September

Quicksilver Messenger Service and H.P.Lovecraft play at the Santa Rosa Fairground presented by Golden Star.

28th/29th September

Festival of Peace and Love at Live Oak Park, Berkeley with Rock Bands, Painting, Sculpture, Crafts and Lights.

28th September

Free Concert in Hyde Park featuring The Move, Pete Brown's Battered Ornaments, Roy Harper, and Clouds.

28th September

The Beatles Hey Jude reaches No.1 in the U.S charts.

October

12th October

Big Brother and The Holding Company’s Cheaper Thrills reaches No.1 in the U.S charts.

19th October

Golden Star present Canned Heat and Bronze Hog at the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds with lights by the Light Brigade.

4th November

KACEY and Jim Salzer present Buffalo Springfield, The Watts 103rd Street Band and The Lewis & Clark Expedition at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara.

16th November

Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix reaches No.1 in the U.S album charts.

25th November

The Beatles White Album released in America.

26th November

Cream farewell gig at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

29th November

Pink Floyd play at Bedford College, Bedford.

December

17th December

Pink Floyd release Point Me At The Sky/Careful With That Axe Eugene.

31st December

Bill Graham presents a News Years Eve Party at Winterland featuring the Grateful Dead, It's A Beautiful Day, Quicksilver Messenger Service and Santana. Light show provided by the Brotherhood Of Lights.