The history of rock music festivals is often dominated by legendary tales. Yet, many lesser-known events also shaped the counter-cultural landscape. The infamous 1972 Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival, often called Bull Island, is one such event. The video above provides a glimpse into this wild piece of Midwest history. However, the full story of its chaotic inception and unforgettable moments deserves a deeper dive.
Imagine the challenge of organizing a massive music festival. Now, imagine doing it with extreme public and political opposition. That was the reality for the promoters of the Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival. It became a logistical nightmare from the very beginning. This festival stands as a testament to both aspiration and disarray in 1970s America.
From Bossy Field to Bull Island: A Promoter’s Odyssey
Music promoters Bob Alexander and Tom Duncan aimed to bring big rock shows to the Midwest. Their first attempt was the Bossy Field Freedom Fest. This event took place on July 2nd, 1972, in Evansville, Indiana. Big names like Tina Turner, Edgar Winter, and Dr. John performed there. However, success also brought unexpected problems. A new kind of crowd arrived, often labeled “hippies” by local residents. Evansville officials were not prepared for the scene. They were unwilling to host another large festival.
Mayor Russell Lloyd famously declared no more events would happen in Evansville. Alexander and Duncan were determined, however. They sought a bigger festival for Labor Day weekend. They initially eyed Chandler Raceway in Chandler, Indiana. They expected about 50,000 attendees there. Major acts like Black Sabbath and Joe Cocker were already lined up. Yet, local governments soon reacted. They grew increasingly uneasy about the growing excitement.
The Search for a Sanctuary: Overcoming Injunctions
Promotional efforts for the 1972 Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival were significant. A full-page ad in Rolling Stone Magazine appeared. Radio station WLS Chicago also broadcasted frequently about the event. This widespread advertising had an unintended effect. It attracted national attention. People from across the country started heading to the Midwest. The expected crowd quickly ballooned far beyond initial estimates. Local officials watched with growing alarm.
Counties throughout southwestern Indiana reacted strongly. Warrick, Posey, and Gibson counties all moved to block the festival. They filed injunctions against the promoters. This left Alexander and Duncan with no viable venue. Time was running out. Thousands of ticket holders were already en route. They needed a solution, and fast. The legal landscape proved incredibly challenging.
A desperate search led them to an unusual spot. They found Bull Island, a quiet strip of farmland. This land was on the Indiana side of the Wabash River. Curiously, it legally belonged to Illinois. This created a unique jurisdictional dilemma. Neither state’s authorities were quite sure who had control. They approached owner Urban Hagedorn. A deal was struck for $200,000, with a $50,000 down payment. The festival was on, just days before its scheduled start. Incredibly, the remaining $150,000 was never paid after the event.
Unfolding Chaos: The Scene at Bull Island
Organizers scrambled to prepare Bull Island. They had mere days to set up for hundreds of thousands of people. The site was originally swampy farmland. They bulldozed paths and cleared what they could. This last-minute effort meant facilities were almost nonexistent. Imagine preparing for a city-sized population in a remote field with no infrastructure. That was the scale of the challenge. The resulting conditions were predictably rough.
Logistical Nightmares and Public Entry
Getting to Bull Island was an adventure in itself. Cars lined the interstate for miles. Attendees parked five to ten miles away. They then faced long walks to the festival grounds. One attendee, Dan Davis, recounted walking for miles. Keith Reeves estimated it was about three miles from the interstate. Many were unprepared for such a trek. Supplies like coolers and drinks were often left behind.
Entry to the festival quickly dissolved into chaos. Attendees noticed others walking through cornfields. They bypassed the ticket booths entirely. Fences were stomped down. Gates were overrun, or simply vanished. People just walked right into the event. Paying for entry became optional for many. This added to the sense of lawlessness. It also significantly impacted promoter revenue.
The Harsh Realities: Facilities and Health Hazards
The lack of facilities was a major problem. Only six porta-lets were provided for hundreds of thousands. These quickly became unusable. Attendees resorted to unsanitary alternatives. A “Turd Field” and “Crap Ditch” were designated areas. These made public health a serious concern. The Wabash River became a communal bathing spot. People washed their hair and themselves in the same water. This created an incredibly primitive and unsanitary environment. The festival tested the limits of endurance for many. It was a stark contrast to any organized event.
Alice in Wonderland Avenue: The Open Drug Market
The 1972 Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival was also defined by an open drug culture. It was unlike anything most had seen. An area known as “Alice in Wonderland Avenue” became a de facto drug market. Hundreds of booths were set up. All kinds of drugs were openly sold. Herschel Gossett remembered “so much pot being smoked.” The air was thick with smoke. Signs advertised prices for various substances. One interviewee recalled a naked woman advertising acid prices on a pizza box. Despite this brazen drug use, many described the crowd as generally calm and peaceful. This reflected the counter-culture ethos of the time.
The Music (and the Money)
The promise of a stellar lineup drew many to Bull Island. However, the festival’s organizational issues extended to the artists. Black Sabbath and Joe Cocker were headliners. They observed the massive crowd upon arrival. There were an estimated 275,000 people. This was far more than the 50,000 stated in their contracts. They demanded an additional $30,000 each. When promoters couldn’t meet the demand, both acts walked out. This was a huge blow for many attendees.
Despite these cancellations, some bands did play. Albert King, the legendary blues player, performed. The all-girl band Bertha also took the stage. Foghat delivered a set. Ted Nugent’s performance was particularly memorable. He reportedly played for several hours, well into the night. Many attendees simply fell asleep to his music. These performances, however few, provided moments of musical relief amidst the chaos.
The Price of Survival: Food, Water, and Looting
Basic necessities quickly became scarce. Food and water vendors took advantage of the situation. Prices soared to outrageous levels. A hamburger cost $10 in 1972. This is equivalent to about $77 in today’s money. Frustration grew among the hungry and thirsty crowd. One attendee described a concession stand being mobbed. Tables were overturned. Food was looted directly from grills. This was a moment of desperation for many. People needed to eat. This incident highlights the breakdown of order at the event. Supplies dwindled rapidly. Looting and truck burnings became common as the weekend wore on.
Memories of a “Wild” Experience
The festival’s end brought little relief. Attendees were tired, dirty, and ready to go home. Many faced long journeys back. One attendee, Dan Davis, developed pneumonia afterward. He had to be taken to a hospital. The press largely portrayed Bull Island as a disaster. They highlighted the chaos, cancellations, and looting. This was a fair assessment of the official narrative. The promoters never fully paid for the land. They faced financial ruin. The festival certainly created massive problems.
For those who were there, however, the memories are more complex. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Many had never seen anything like it. Keith Reeves described his curiosity drawing him there. He knew he would never witness such an event again. Richard Wallace admitted it “wasn’t a great concert.” He quickly added it “was a great time.” Being able to say, “I was there,” carried significant weight. It became a badge of honor for many. The sense of freedom, despite the squalor, resonated deeply. This shared experience forged unique bonds. It created indelible memories. It was truly an unforgettable event in the history of rock festivals.
The legacy of the 1972 Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival endures. It continues through the efforts of a dedicated few. Ray Kessler, the late Posey County historian, helped keep its memory alive. Eric Benson runs the Bull Island Facebook page. Herschel Gossett collects memorabilia and stories. These individuals have ensured this wild piece of history isn’t forgotten. For them, it was more than chaos. It was a singular moment in time. It’s an event many go their whole lives without seeing. The Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival truly defines “wild.”
Unearthing the Infamy: Your Erie Canal Festival Questions
What was the Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival?
The Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival was a large, infamous rock music event that took place in 1972, often referred to as Bull Island. It is remembered for its chaotic organization and significant problems.
Where did the festival take place?
After facing opposition in Indiana, the festival was ultimately held on Bull Island, a remote strip of farmland located on the Indiana side of the Wabash River, which legally belonged to Illinois.
Why is the festival considered ‘infamous’ or a ‘disaster’?
It was marked by extreme public and political opposition, severe logistical failures, almost non-existent facilities, artist cancellations, and widespread chaos including looting.
Did any famous bands play at the festival?
While headliners like Black Sabbath and Joe Cocker walked out, several notable acts performed, including blues legend Albert King, Foghat, and Ted Nugent.
