Who Really Killed The Hippies? This is THE True Story about idealists who shocked a community, transformed a culture, toppled a Government, and derailed a Revolution.
Big Fat Benny (Barry Fey) was a knit-sweater Folkie who urged Frisco's Founding Flower Children to come stage a Love-In in Denver - where Governor Love ruled (yep. his real name!) and the cops hadn't heard of Civil Rights. So them Hippies sent a Black Man to turn on the Red Necks - and decided to stay to build a Hippie Concert Hall and spread their Music Revolution - while one Cop sworn to destroy them broke every law he was sworn to uphold.
With legal weed in Colorado, this story from 50 years yon is as fresh as today's headlines - Youth vs Establishment. Bomb threats. Media promoting Fake News. A propaganda war that raged in schools, churches, on the air and in the streets ends with THE most shocking political bombshell of the '60s. Yet you've never heard about this story - because the Court Records remain sealed to this day.
A very "Roshomon" story about The Power Of One, told from three views; a vigilante Cop who violates his own laws, a Hippie Artist who keeps The Faith, and a Dreamer who doubted himself... until he saves the day and lives his own Dream instead of somebody else's.
The Power of The Individual. Times three.
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yeah, I wish. An ALL-MUSICIANS cast could be remarkable.
HORRIBLE AUDIO QUALITY....but almost worth a listen. A (lost) better version of this tribute vid was slapped together for one of Barry's induction or retirement events. Has a few rare Dog days pix.
The Denver Dog didn't last long. But it changed Denver forever.
'Frisco's Family Dog was a collective, not a commune. Less a Business than a Religion. "May the Baby jesus shut your mouth and open your mind". MUSIC was their Sacrament. MUSICIANS were their only "preachers". Denver was to become the first waystation for top travellin' bands to stop between Coasts and rest awhile. And play The Dog.
local authorities and politicians made The Denver Dog more of a fortress than a sanctuary. It didn't last long. But it DID last forever!
NOTE: Sometime in 1968 (date unknown), Barry got suckered. He booked a package of FAKE 'Frisco Bands hiding behind legal REAL names. Matthew Katz was a conniving Manager who OWNED the Band names: It's A Beautiful Day and Moby Grape. So sad Denver never got to see the originals. This rip-off con man Katz is why Jefferson Airplane had to become Jefferson Starship.
It's been 50 years yon. If you (or someone you know) hold MEMORIES of The Denver Dog, now is the time to share them. For posterity.
If you (or someone you know) possess media SKILLS or whimsical FINANCING to make this Dog Documentary all it could be for posterity, it is time to step up. Make history!
NOT connected with the Dog Documentary. A dramatization which takes liberties. Hollywood saw it years ago and said as one: "Vivid scenarios. Stagy dialog.". NEEDS A RE-WRITE. NEEDS TO GET MADE.
BONUS: This is a movie about building a nightclub. If we REALLY build it while we shoot it, we will OWN a landmark cash club before our film is edited!