Las Vegas Weekly

May 28, 2009 · 9:54 AM

Summer of ’69 music festival kicks off in groovy style downtown

By Robin Leach

Mayor Oscar Goodman and friends, including Rossi Ralenkotter and Jeff Victor in tie-dye T-shirts, at the Summer of '69 press conference.

Photo: Las Vegas News Bureau

Our downtown Fremont Street Experience has been converted back in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of 1969, and for 108 days this summer through Labor Day weekend, there will be free nightly entertainment!

It all kicked off with performances by The Guess Who and Blood Sweat & Tears. Thousands of people showed up, many in 1960s attire, for the shows that will continue every night all week long.

Our Convention and Visitors Authority Chairman Rossi Ralenkotter, Fremont Street President Jeff Victor and two hippies from the ’60s joined our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman for the unveiling by multimedia artist John Van Hamersveld of his custom-painted vintage bus.

John, who executed The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour album cover, also created the Signs of Life display for the new Viva Vision screens that dominate Fremont Street.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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