1968 Conqueror of American Rock - Chapter 186



Only Krnovel

186. Again, Summer of ’69 (10)

The Woodstock Four, who joined hands with Metropolis led by John Scher, were steadily expanding their influence in the East. As Michael Lang, a former gangster, became busier than anyone else, the three members who had turned their backs on him began to trust him again.

Above all, the one that played the biggest role was EMTV (East Music Television). Although it was smaller than KMTV, which broadcasted from the West to the Central Region, it was growing with strong support from die-hard fans in the Eastern Region.

Leading the way were KISS, The Devils and, returning from a surprise UK tour, teenage boy band Killing Machine.

The four were sitting in the office watching EMTV’s most popular program.

– Hey guys! It’s Anthony from Dead or Rock. Today I have some really bomb news for you! You’re going to be shocked! Stay tuned because I’m going to listen to a song from Killing Machine and announce it!

Michael Lang recruited Anthony Hafner, manager of The Devil’s Club on the Sunset Strip, to host EMTV’s main program. There was some backlash from his teammates who heard about him. Of course, Michael was aware of this.

But Michael highly regarded Anthony’s attractive appearance, his eloquence, and above all, his ability to discover new talent.

“What did I tell you? I told you that you would do well? Anthony is the number one contributor to EMTV right now. Jack White from KMTV, he’s a good host, but he’s so short that it’s hard to tell if he’s a comedian or a musician. But look at Anthony. He’s handsome like a movie star. Everyone, men and women, likes him.”

“Still, we have to keep a close eye on that guy to make sure he doesn’t get into trouble.”

To John Roberts, a millionaire turned military officer, Anthony was still a ticking time bomb. His slippery smile and flowery speech were strangely irritating.

“Look, John. Just because you’re a former soldier doesn’t mean you should be held to such high standards by civilians, or rather rockers.”

“hmm······.”

John Roberts didn’t show it anymore, but he couldn’t stop thinking about James Choi. What a neat boy he was······.

– Hey, guys! Finally, finally! The second Woodstock Festival is confirmed! Remember the summer of 1969? It’s going to be three days, August 15-17, just like that! Details on the location, lineup, and ticket sales will be announced next week!

John Roberts frowned and placed his hand on his forehead as he watched Anthony’s rough speech and suggestive clothing.

* * *

“Wow, you guys were really amazing! Look at that, I got goosebumps.”

“I’ve never really cried while performing, but on that day, our performance was even interrupted. But who would have thought that the director would put that in the promotional video? Oh my, I’m so sorry······.”

“A pair of arms? What does that mean?”

Annie was chatting with Angela while watching a promotional video for the festival on TV, when suddenly Korean popped out.

“It’s embarrassing, haha. The best anime in the world is crying.”

“No, it’s really touching. Grandpa Gerard should see this scene.”

“We’ll air the full version later when editing is finished. Then we’ll go visit my grandfather and watch it together.”

“Yeah, I think you’ll really like it.”

The promotional video was made by cross-editing footage from Woodstock in 1969 and the 2nd Pilton Festival, making it a short 1-minute video. The reason we made it in a hurry is because the festival we are preparing for and Woodstock overlap exactly on the same date.

August 15th, 16th, 17th.

That’s the date of Woodstock in 1969. Although the name Woodstock was taken by Michael Lang, the farm where the festival was held is ours. From what I’ve heard, it seems like Woodstock hasn’t decided on a location yet.

Since the dates were announced at the same time, the audience had no choice but to choose between Woodstock and us.

“James, is that hippie guy with the curly hair, Lang, doing the same thing as us?”

“huh.”

“Tch, let’s see who can do better. I’ll crush you.”

“Inma, we just need to work hard on our music. What about the destruction…? If you ever appear on a broadcast, don’t criticize them or say anything weird. Got it?”

“······.”

You punk, you know what I mean, but you’re still acting tough.

“I get it.”

“Ugh,” I said, barely holding back my laughter.

The purpose of our performance is the same as yours.

It’s not about who’s better, who’s bigger, who’s making more money. It’s about the Woodstock business, it’s about us, it’s about making people relive the summer of ’69.

That one reason is enough.

I just hope that both events will be accident-free and united in freedom, peace, and love.

* * *

The three most important things in organizing a festival are money, a venue, and artists. The biggest challenge for the Woodstock business in ’69 was neither money nor artists.

It was the right place.

It was literally nothing short of a miracle that Michael Lang, with his enormous capital and his ability to make impromptu decisions like roasting beans over a lightning fire, was able to host the first Woodstock Festival on Max Yasuger’s farm.

Now, we at CW have already secured all three of the above. With Kings’ investment, there are no budget constraints. We also have the luxury of two months ahead of us.

So what we need to worry about going forward is how to organize the three-day stage and safety.

I came to the company to discuss this issue. Kevin’s face looked really good after returning from his honeymoon. It was probably the longest vacation in his life, as he was always busy with work.

“Gona, this promotional video came out really well. I wondered if that song could be sung live, but you did it. As expected from my little brother, haha.”

“I also wondered if it would be possible at first, but it worked. And if it weren’t for Ibis-san’s rose event, that scene would never have happened.”

“I should give more performance bonus to the video team. My brother didn’t say anything, but I often wondered why you worked so hard to film videos since your days in the 8th US Army. But our Gon was the one who saw the future, hahaha.”

My brother has been smiling more since he got married. Of course, he had a good impression before, but now his face is filled with happiness. Seeing my brother happy makes me feel good too.

“Hey, read this.”

I handed over the August festival plan to my brother. In fact, I was embarrassed to call it a plan. It was just a rough sketch of the schedule, performers, stage plans, etc. in a notebook.

“But we don’t have an orchestra? Gon, we have enough funds.”

“It’s not a matter of money, but Bethel in mid-August is hot and humid. It would be a shame for the members to play outside in their suits, and the high humidity is fatal to expensive string instruments. I think it would be rude to invite an orchestra to a place like that.”

“Oh, that’s the problem. Well, this time in England, we did a good live performance without an orchestra.”

Brother Kevin carefully looked over the content I had written.

“The supplies and safety here are left blank?”

“Yeah, I’m going to ask my brother for that part. This time, I want to focus entirely on the performance. And I think my brother can do that part much better than I can.”

“Okay, I got it. I’ll take care of the rest. Instead, let’s meet up often and share our progress. Even if our areas of responsibility are different, we should know each other.”

As expected, Kevin was much more meticulous than me.

Brother, I am confident that I can do anything with you.

“Gona, the members all know that you’re coming to our house this evening, right?”

“Oh, was that today?”

“Yeah, haha. Come back later so you’re not too late.”

My mind was so full of thoughts of the festival that I forgot. Today was Kevin and Stella’s new housewarming party.

* * *

Kevin’s new home was right next to the mansion we were living in.

Our members currently live together in one house, but with the money they earned, they bought mansions in the neighborhood one by one. The house that Stella’s family will move into is also on the same line. The house that Jack lives in with his family is also close enough to walk to.

Kevin, me, Annie, Angela and Bao.

We are all orphans.

I wanted to live in a neighborhood with people who were like family to me.

In fact, I had made the same promise to Hanseong in my previous life.

‘Gona, let’s definitely live together in a quiet seaside town later. During the day off, we can swim in the ocean with the kids, and in the evening, we can grill meat together in the yard.’

‘Brother, just imagining it makes me so happy. Let’s definitely live like that.’

We couldn’t even get close to the promise, let alone keep it. My sister-in-law was someone who hated the countryside, and Hanseong couldn’t escape being a salaried worker.

I became a waste of the music industry and lived in a practice room in the basement of Hongdae. My brother Hansung tried to get me to move near his house.

But as his nephews entered school, it must have been difficult for him to afford the enormous private education costs. I also knew that he had opened an overdraft account without telling his wife.

That’s how the promise we made at the orphanage as children slowly faded away in our hearts.

The current Kevin hyung has different memories from Hanseong hyung, but they are all the same in appearance, voice, personality, and heart.

But the day my brother Kevin came back from signing the contract for his first house in the US, he said this to me.

‘Gona, I signed a contract for a nice house in front of Hermosa Beach. It’s really a great place, just like you said. When we get married, let’s definitely live in the same neighborhood. During the day, we can play in the ocean with the kids, and in the evening, we can have a barbecue in the front yard.’

When I heard that, I was sure that Kevin was Hansung. I thought that when he was struck by lightning at Yanghwa Bridge and came back to the past, he lost his memories of his previous life.

Whether that’s true or not, I’ve decided to think that way.

Anyway, my brother and I bought a house in the same neighborhood. It was a dream house where we could see the fantastic Pacific sunset every day. We also created our own little town with people who were more like family than family.

“James, what are you doing? Let’s go quickly. I’m so hungry I don’t have the strength to walk······.”

Annie starved all day, saying she would eat the feast prepared by her older sister Stella for the first time in a long while. The one who didn’t even have the strength to walk was the one who went first.

It was right next door, but it was a mansion with a large lawn, so it took a few minutes to walk there.

Ding dong.

“Sister! We’re here!”

The voice of the man who said he was starving to death was very loud.

Brother Kevin himself came out and opened the huge door.

“Everyone, come quickly.”

My brother, who usually wears a suit, was wearing swimsuit bottoms and a Hawaiian shirt.

“Brother······ your clothes······.”

“It’s America. The food is Korean, but we have to have an American-style housewarming party, haha.”

Long outdoor tables were set out on a wide lawn, and food and drinks were beautifully laid out like a catering buffet. Beach Boys music was playing from the speakers, and unknown people in white uniforms were carrying steaming food.

“Sniff sniff, this smells like galbijjim. They also made bulgogi and japchae!”

Annie ran at the speed of light and started putting food on plates.

“Brother, why did you make so much food? You must have had a hard time.”

“I can’t make our Youngmi suffer. Youngmi cooked the main dish, but she hired 10 kitchen assistants for the day. She also hired 20 people to serve and clean.”

“No, how many people did you invite······.”

At that moment, familiar cars that I had seen many times before came into the parking lot one after another.