The Bull Island Rock Festival: The experience had by me and others at 1972’s Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival

In 1972 the banks of the Wabash River in southeastern Illinois played host to one of the most disorganized music festivals in history. The Bull Island Rock Festival was officially called The Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival and also went by Woodstock on the Wabash- and the 3 day event degenerated into chaos. By the end of the festival even the stage had been burned down.

The Bull Island Rock Festival is Dan Davis’ story of attending this troubled event. Thwarted by rampant drug use, lack of food and water, cancellations at the last minute by high profile rock bands, and the burning of most of the structures involved, this is a personal history of a forgotten event.