The summer of 1969 is often remembered for its iconic music festivals. Woodstock gets most of the attention, but there were other events that year worth exploring. One of these was the Toronto Pop Festival, held on June 21st and 22nd at Varsity Stadium in Toronto, Canada. This festival came months before Woodstock and featured some of the biggest names in music at the time. Despite its importance, it remains one of the lesser-known festivals of 1969.
Tickets for the Toronto Pop Festival cost $6 per day or $10 for both days. For that price, attendees could enjoy performances by legendary acts like Blood, Sweat & Tears, Sly and the Family Stone, Dr. John, Rotary Connection, Steppenwolf, and The Velvet Underground. These bands represented a mix of rock, soul, blues, and experimental sounds. It was a weekend event packed with talent and energy.
The festival took place at Varsity Stadium, a well-known sports venue in Toronto. On Saturday afternoon, photographers captured amazing images of both the audience and the performers. These photos give us a glimpse into what the festival was like. They show smiling faces, colorful outfits, and musicians fully immersed in their craft. Some of the artists photographed include Chuck Berry, Ronnie Hawkins, Edwin Starr, Slim Harpo, Procol Harum, and Motherlode.
