by Tim Berkery, Phila., PA

I told this story to a lot of people and I think they still don’t believe me, but one day I think it was in May of 1970, I went to the old Temple stadium, and seen 6 bands, 3 I couldn’t remember if you put a gun to my head, but the fourth was Steve Miller, who I seen later at the Fillmore, then came the Dead who where as usual great. Most of my friends went to see them, but the headliner was the one I wanted to see. James Marshall Hendrix came out and tore the place apart. I was able to get close to the stage and could see his face and even in his state (he looked pickled) he still was unbelievable. At the time Jimi was my favorite artist and is to this day. One can only wonder what he’d be like today. I still have not met anyone to this day that was at that concert. The one thing that I will always remember is that it was so loud when Jimi was on and I had a friend who feel a sleep during his set, and fell a sleep sitting on a motor cycle helmet! He was a Deadhead, for sure.