So I kept hearing folks talk about these super rare Altamont Free Concert photos – y’know, the ones that show stuff besides all the chaos. Been hunting for ages, figured I’d write down how I finally dug some up.
Started With the Obvious Spots
First thing? Hit up the big photo archives online. Getty, AP, all those usual places. Total bust. Same ol’ 10 photos everyone’s seen a million times – Hells Angels, Mick looking worried, crowds surging. Nothing new there. Felt like hitting a brick wall right away.
Dove Into Forums and Fan Groups
Next, I spent like two whole nights glued to Rolling Stones fan forums and old concert photo groups. Asked around like crazy: “Anybody got the hidden gems?” Mostly got dead ends or folks trying to sell bootleg DVDs. But! Found this one dude in a vintage rock group who mentioned something about “local library archives near the site.” No details, though. Weird lead, but hey.
Got My Hands Dirty Locally
Since Altamont went down in Alameda County, I cold-called every library and historical society around there. Most laughed or hung up. But one librarian in Livermore actually humored me: “Try our regional history room – dusty boxes from the 60s/70s in the back.” Drove over next morning, gloves on, ready to sneeze my head off.
- Flipped through dozens of unlabeled photo binders – mostly farms and parades.
- Almost gave up until I grabbed this water-damaged box marked “MISC. 1969 EVENTS.”
- BAM – inside: three faded prints of early setup shots before the crowd rushed in.
- No Angels, no fights – just stage guys testing mics and kids laying blankets in the dirt.
What Worked? Getting Offline
Turns out the real gold wasn’t online at all. Zero digital traces – just some volunteer archivist’s forgotten snaps stuffed in a cardboard tomb. Made copies (with permission!), nearly hugged that librarian. Lesson? Sometimes rarity means literally digging through physical junk everyone else ignored. Worth the drive.