In 1967, high school junior Ed Caraeff heard about a "rock and roll festival" up the coast in Monterey. With the help of a borrowed camera, he took the photograph of a lifetime.
You probably know this, but Ed’s son Ezra Caraeff owns several fine Portland establishments such as Paydirt, Old Gold, Holy Ghost and a few others. Ed’s portrait of Dolly Parton hangs in the bathroom at Paydirt. I shot a feature of them several years ago: https://vrtxmag.com/articles/what-is-dolly-parton-doing-in-this-portland-bar-bathroom. Super nice and chill guy, and the number of legends he worked with is staggering!
I'm also a Portlander and know the Dolly portrait at Paydirt! Very cool insight as I didn't know the connection between the owner of those local bars and the Hendrix photographer.
I always felt bad for the Grateful Dead's slot at Monterey. To follow The Who and then precede Hendrix makes their set completely forgettable. It also doesn't help that most SF bands refused to sign the rights to be filmed. Big Brother only did after they blew everybody away and were asked to play another set. Janis demanded that the band sign and their performance of "Ball & Chain" is one of the film's highlights. I do wish Moby Grape had been filmed, tho! My uncle who lived in Haight-Ashbury always said of all the SF bands, The Grape was by far the best and live they killed it! I have heard live audio, but have only seen very grainy video.
Michael, I totally get what you mean about the Grateful Dead's slot at Monterey. Sandwiched between The Who and Hendrix, it's easy for their set to get overshadowed. It's a shame many SF bands didn't sign the rights to be filmed; we missed out on capturing some legendary performances. Janis and Big Brother really shined with "Ball & Chain," though! And Moby Grape—what a loss not having them on film.
They had such a unique sound, and I've heard their live shows were incredible. Your uncle's right; their live performances are legendary, even if we only have audio and grainy footage.
Appreciate this so much! Yeah it's funny how the Grape kind of fell between the cracks (horribly mangled metaphor, but whatever). I suppose it's true what they say: "You really had to be there...").
You probably know this, but Ed’s son Ezra Caraeff owns several fine Portland establishments such as Paydirt, Old Gold, Holy Ghost and a few others. Ed’s portrait of Dolly Parton hangs in the bathroom at Paydirt. I shot a feature of them several years ago: https://vrtxmag.com/articles/what-is-dolly-parton-doing-in-this-portland-bar-bathroom. Super nice and chill guy, and the number of legends he worked with is staggering!
Yes! it was Ezra who connected us. And thanks for pointing me towards the Vortex piece, that's brilliant!....
I'm also a Portlander and know the Dolly portrait at Paydirt! Very cool insight as I didn't know the connection between the owner of those local bars and the Hendrix photographer.
I always felt bad for the Grateful Dead's slot at Monterey. To follow The Who and then precede Hendrix makes their set completely forgettable. It also doesn't help that most SF bands refused to sign the rights to be filmed. Big Brother only did after they blew everybody away and were asked to play another set. Janis demanded that the band sign and their performance of "Ball & Chain" is one of the film's highlights. I do wish Moby Grape had been filmed, tho! My uncle who lived in Haight-Ashbury always said of all the SF bands, The Grape was by far the best and live they killed it! I have heard live audio, but have only seen very grainy video.
Michael, I totally get what you mean about the Grateful Dead's slot at Monterey. Sandwiched between The Who and Hendrix, it's easy for their set to get overshadowed. It's a shame many SF bands didn't sign the rights to be filmed; we missed out on capturing some legendary performances. Janis and Big Brother really shined with "Ball & Chain," though! And Moby Grape—what a loss not having them on film.
They had such a unique sound, and I've heard their live shows were incredible. Your uncle's right; their live performances are legendary, even if we only have audio and grainy footage.
Appreciate this so much! Yeah it's funny how the Grape kind of fell between the cracks (horribly mangled metaphor, but whatever). I suppose it's true what they say: "You really had to be there...").
Amazing story that Ed Caraeff was a high school Junior. It would have been even more amazing if he had cut class to take the pic of Hendrix!!
HA! True, that would be the icing on the cake. Though the "bring Jimi Hendrix to high school party" bit still tops everything....