Classic rock’s pantheon gather in the desert in California for unprecedented festival
The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, The Who, Neil Young and Roger Waters make for arguably the greatest bill in rock ’n’ roll – though some have given The Desert Trip the moniker “Oldchella”
Since the dawn of rock ’n’ roll, promoters have strived to create the ultimate festival, delivering the perfect line-up and atmosphere that will live on in fan lore.
This weekend will mark what will likely become the highest-grossing music festival of all time as six acts who form rock’s canon – the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, The Who, Bob Dylan and Neil Young – play in the desert of southern California.
Called Desert Trip, the three-day concert starting today – to be repeated with an identical schedule the next weekend – is driven by an unstated question: when will fans have the chance to see the acts again?
While the rock greats showcased at Desert Trip are active and appear in good health, all of them are septuagenarians with the sole exception of Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who is a youthful 69.
The Who, who in 1965 spoke for baby boomers with the anthem My Generation, may be the first to bow out as the group has said their ongoing tour will be their last.
