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The Rolling Stones and the Concert at Altamont
Introduction
UNC-Libraries
Electonic Indexes and Databases
Web Sources
Mini-Essay on Net Controversy

 

INTRODUCTION:

On December 9, 1969, The Rolling Stones gave a free concert in San Francisco as a response to complaints from fans that tickets for their American Tour were priced too high. In order to deal with the crowd- hysteria that was sure to ensue, Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead) suggested that they hire the local chapter of Hell's Angels as security guards.
During the concert, a young black man tried to get up onto stage. The Hell's Angels beat the man off the stage and stabbed him to death in front of the group. Jagger continued playing, although later claimed that he didn't see the event. Coverage of the event blamed the Stones

I want to research how this concert differed from the attitude of Woodstock, the concert that it was based on, and why media coverage of the event led to its nickname: "The day the 60s died." I also want to find out what dynamics of this event make it so that the documentary on it, "Gimme Shelter," was re-released almost twenty years later.

I think this topic will interest readers of all ages, focusing on those who have interests and appreciation for the music of the Stones. For those who were alive on December 6, 1969, it will be a way to revisit this devastating event. And for those who were not alive, but whom today listen to the music of the Rolling Stones, it will be of interest because they might not even be aware of this significant event in the history of the Stones. Overall, I think readers who are interested in pop-culture, entertainment or rock music will be attracted to this topic.

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PRINT SOURCES:

Stephen Davis, Old gods almost dead: the 40-year odyssey of the Rolling Stones (New York: Broadway Books, 2001)
Call # ML421.R64 D36 2001 (UL Storage--Use Request Form)

A.E. Hotchner, Blown away: the Rolling Stones and the death of the sixties (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1990)
Call # ML421.R64 H65 1990 (Davis)

NON-PRINT SOURCE:

Maysles Films, Inc., Gimme shelter [video recording] (Criterion Collection, 2001)
Call # 65-DVD444 (UL NonPrint )

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ELECTRONIC INDEXES AND DATABASE SOURCES:

Bessman, Jim. (2000, September 2). `Gimme Shelter' Gains New Release. Billboard [Online], v112 i36 p80, 24 paragraphs. Available: InfoTrac General Reference Center Gold [2002, May 27]

Chin, Ong Soh. (2002, February 16). Gimme Shelter, please. The Straits Times (Singapore) [Online/ Newspaper], Life! Section, 1132 words. Available: Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis [2002, May 26].

Crazy Horse, Kandia. (2001, Spring). THE LAST OF THE VOODOOS: A ROCK & ROLL RETROSPECTIVE. Black Renaissance/Renaissance Noire [Online], v3 i2 p48, 71 paragraphs. Available: InfoTrac General Reference Center Gold [2002, May 26].

Gleiberman, Owen. (2000, August 18). Hell of a Show: Thirty years after its initial release, Gimme Shelter remains the great dark spectacle of rock & roll. Entertainment Weekly [Online], i555/556 p99, 3 paragraphs. Available InfoTrac General Reference Center Gold [2002, May 25].

No Author Named. (1997, October 25). Sympathy for the devil. The Economist (US) [Online], v345 n8040 p32 (1), 8 paragraphs. Available: InfoTrac General Reference Center Gold [2002, May 27].

Purtell, Tim. (1995, December 1). Last Rite for the 60s. Entertainment Weekly [Online], n303 p92 (1), 4 paragraphs. Available: InfoTrac General Reference Center Gold [2002, May 27].

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WEB SOURCES:

DeRogatis, Jim. (2001, November 4), Troubled times, apocalyptic music [Online]. Available: http://www.jimdero.com/NewsPages2001/GreatNov4Stones.htm [2002, May 27].

No Author Named. (No Date), The Rolling Stones [Online]. Available: http://www.classicbands.com/stones.html [2002, May 26].

Parcellin, Chris (2001), Permanent Midnight [Online]. Available: http://www.d-filed.com/booth.html [2002, May 26].

Skolnock, David. (No Date), Film Review: Gimme Shelter [Online]. Available: http://www.filmsinreview.com/Film%20Reviews/gimmeshelter.html [2002, May 27].

Yesterdayland. (No Date), The Rolling Stones- Yesterdayland Pop Music [Online]. Available: http://www.yesterdayland.com/popopedia/shows/music/mu1042.php [2002, May28].

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MINI-ESSAY ON NET CONROVERSY:
Autopsy Reports: Private for the Famous

Florida, a state plagued with the 2000 Presidential Election controversy, is now making news regarding Internet controversy. Florida, by law, allows for autopsy reports and photos to be placed on the Internet. However, when Dale Earnhardt's wife requested that the photos of her husband not be shown, the matter turned into a question of
privacy. (3)

In response to Earnhardt's death and the Orlando Sentinel's request for access to the photos, Florida passed the Earnhardt law. This law requires a judge's approval for autopsy reports to be released. However, many are concerned that the law will inhibit investigations, as officials will be required to wait for a judge's permission in order to examine the reports. (1)

Florida's actions have even prompted Maryland to attempt to pass a law that would remove the text of autopsy reports from the state's public information act. Only relatives, hospitals, police and other government officials would be able to access the reports if the law passes. In Maryland, the photographs from autopsies are already considered private information, not accessible by the public. (2)

The main controversy in this issue deals with how media coverage will be restricted if even more states follow in Florida's footsteps as Maryland has. (2) The media can argue that this type of restriction is in violation of the freedom of press delegated by the Constitution. As in Florida's case, the restriction is even in contradiction with one of its own amendments that grants public access to records of the state. (3)

It is hard to tell at this point how widespread the request of Teresa Earnhardt to keep the autopsy pictures out of public view will reach. However, it should be noticed that it took the death of a celebrity to cause action to be taken seriously.

Notes:
(1)Mussenden, Sean. (2002, February 17). Some legislators fear autopsy details, photos will end up on the Internet; other states use Earnhardt law as guide to policy. The Orlando Sentinel [Online], pK6935, 23 paragraphs. Available: InfoTrac General Reference Center Gold [2002, May 27].

(2) No Author Named. (2002, March). Bill seeks limits on autopsy reports. The Quill [Online], v90 i2 p27 (1), 7 paragraphs. Available: InfoTrac General Reference Center Gold [2002, May 27].

(3) Rippel, Amy C. (2001, June 25). An autopsy case focuses on Constitution, not celebrities. The Orlando Sentinel [Online], pK2401, 30 paragraphs. Available: InfoTrac General Reference Center Gold [2002, May 28].

Three Web Sites for additional information:

Title of web page: Pictures of Autopsy Should Be Released.
Web address: http://www.susqu.edu/crusader/archives/2001/01_04_06/webforum4.asp
Brief description: Background on the law in Florida and the amendment to that law. Also, discusses the Orlando Sentinel's role in the issue.
Source of Website: The Crusader Online Archives

Title of web page: Earnhardt autopsy photo law challenged
Web address: http://www.news-journalonline.com/2002/May/23/AREA2.htm
Brief description: Update on Teresa Earnhardt's most recent battles in court.
Source of Website: The Daytona Beach News-Journal

Title of web page: Earnhardt's widow sued county
Web address: http://espn.go.com/rpm/wc/2001/0228/1116837.html
Brief description: Speculates and agreement so that photos could be viewed but not copied by the public; no agreement thus far has been made.
Source of website: ESPN

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This site was created for JOMC 050 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Last updated: 6/17/02