Bob Dylan at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Toronto, 15 July 1972. “The 1972 Mariposa Festival held at Toronto Islands from July 14th to 16th faced record rainfalls, turning part of the island into a muddy swamp. The festival director Estelle Klein was absent from the festival for the first time in twelve years, leaving Leigh Cline in charge. Part of Saturday was rained out resulting in shutting down sound systems. “Although the weather was poor it did not affect the festival attendance as people huddled together under umbrellas and sheets to try and stay dry. The reputation built from earlier years resulted in an increase in out-of-town festival attendees as well as musicians. The festival also attracted some well known visitors, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan and Jackson Browne attended to see the ‘new’ Mariposa and some were interested in performing.Since the festival had changed its structure away from big name acts, the festival organizers debated as to whether or not to allow their guests to perform. In the end, Murry McLauchlan opted to forego part of his performance and presented it to Joni Mitchell. This was followed by Bruce Cockburn doing the same for Neil Young on the Sunday of the festival. This year proved to be of great excitement for the audience as they saw a wide range of acts such as Shelly Posen, Leon Redbone, Original Sloth Band as well as the unexpected visitors.”Bob Dylan, Sara Dylan and Leon Redbone take a police boat off the island, at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Toronto, 15 July 1972Bob Dylan and Gordon Lightfoot at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Toronto, 15 July 1972Bob Dylan at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Toronto, 15 July 1972.Bob Dylan at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Toronto, 15 July 1972 Photograph by Keith Beaty:“People will remember Murray McLauchlan from the coffeehouses in Toronto’s Yorkville area. He is known for the song “The Farmer’s Song” and “Down by the Henry Moore”, which was about the sculpture in front of Toronto’s city hall, where students met in the ’60s.”Murray McLauchlan, Bob Dylan, Jesse DylanBidini, Dave. Writing Gordon Lightfoot: The Man, the Music, and the World in 1972. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 2011. 9780771012624 “Musician and author Dave Bidini presents a look at Canadian folk-rock legend Gordon Lightfoot and the week in 1972 that culminated in the Mariposa Folk Festival.” “I just finished reading the Dave Bidini book about Gordon Lightfoot…amazing! a good writer holds your attention by telling you stories about subjects you’re keen on. but a GREAT writer pulls you into things you didn’t even know you were interested in! Dave Bidini is a great writer. and that week of the Mariposa folk festival in July 1972 is a period you need to know better.” — Beverly AkermanBob Dylan at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Toronto, 15 July 1972. — Bob Dylan, Leon Redbone and David Bromberg Quintet & BandBob Dylan, Leon Redbone ve David Bromberg Quintet & Band“I don’t know how long I was there before I sensed that someone was coming up from behind. I turned my head away from the viewfinder just long enough to get a glimpse of a guy walking slowly towards me. I went back to taking pictures of ducks but in a split second it registered that the guy was Bob Dylan. Why I didn’t freak I don’t know. But I didn’t. Then, this guy, Bob Dylan, sits down on the ground next to me and asks me what I’m doing. Seemed pretty obvious to me but I told him I was taking pictures of ducks. He asked me what kind of camera I was using. I told him it was a Russian rangefinder called a Zorki. He asked me why I wasn’t back there listening to the music. I told him I got sick and tired of people not listening to the music and running from stage to stage whenever there was loud applause.”Low-key Mariposa doesn’t stop crowds / Eric Mills “But the festival became too – big and unruly. It began to wind down by limiting ticket sales, cancelling evening concerts (leaving only daytime workshops) and turning down the big names who wanted to come. Even this strategy backfired three years ago, when Neil Young, Lightfoot and Mitchell dropped in to play in a schedule already crammed with big name artists, and Bob Dylan slipped in to watch. The resulting mob scenes made Mariposa organizers still more cautious. The head-liner last year was Pete Seeger, and this year it would have been hard to find a household name in the program.” The Ottawa Journal page 35 1975-06-27-FrMariposa Folk Festival Toronto Islands July 14, 15, 16 1972 25 cents
Ugur is an editor and writer at Need Some Fun (NSF News), covering world news, history, archaeology, cultural heritage, science, entertainment, travel, animals, health, and games. He delivers well-researched and credible stories to inform and entertain readers worldwide. Contact: [email protected]
