50 years later, Steve Miller remembers Monterey Pop as "a phenomenal gathering of musicians...an early indicator of what the future was bringing."
The "Jet Airliner" legend is proud his band was part of "the diversity of acts. You had Laura Nyro and Simon and Garfunkel, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The Who and Jimi Hendrix. Otis Redding was there. The feeling was very special because it was three days of amazing music."
Monterey Pop was proof that "the world of pop music was really changing. We were always considered an underground progressive rock group. That meant we were in this ghetto and we were never going to be played on AM radio. They didn’t take any of it seriously."
Miller doesn't feel the rock and roll era is nearing its end. He says, "Rock and roll has changed, but the idea of the festival is bigger now than ever. Music changes and culture changes, but the desire for live music is bigger now than it’s ever been. I’m sure the future will be full of music and full of concerts and full of performing musicians."
The Steve Miller Band perform Saturday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- the day before the track hosts its annual 500-mile race. (Indianapolis Star)