The Festival Express was a 1970 tour of Canada by several musical acts, including The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and The Band. It was unique in that rather than flying to each city, the musicians all traveled by chartered CN train, fostering an atmosphere of musical creativity and closeness between the performers. The trips between cities were a mix of jam sessions and partying. By the time the festival started, there was a belief among North American youth that large concerts like the Festival Express should be free. As at Woodstock, many young people showed up with no intention of paying the $14 admission. Despite the financial hardship this caused promoters Ken Walker, Thor Eaton, and Dave Williams, the train continued on, providing a rich environment in which the traveling bands could jam and interact. Musician Kenny Gradney, who performed with Delaney and Bonnie, said "It was better than Woodstock, as great as Woodstock was." The tour was also the subject of a documentary film of the same name released in 2003 using film shot during the 1970 tour. |
