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You and many other Idahoans who followed the news in 1976 may have missed this. The story is about a rock and roll riot that got washed to the back of newspapers because of the date it happened. The riot took place on the weekend of June 5, 1976. That was also the day the Teton Dam broke.
If you lived in North Idaho and were a fan of rock concerts, this one was a must-see. Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) and Blue Oyster Cult were the headliners. You’d also see Flash Cadillac and the Continental Kids, Heart, and at least 26 other bands. They’d be playing June 4, 5 and 6 at Stateline, Idaho, at what was called Nor’wester ’76.
The tickets were a little steep: $30. But that was at the “door.” You could get them for 18 bucks if you bought them in advance, which plenty of people did. About 5,000 showed up that first evening to hear Blue Oyster Cult. The band did play, about five hours behind schedule. That was the high point.
On Saturday, the crowds came, but the bands didn’t. Promotors had allegedly sunk $250,000 into the festival and were out of money. Bands weren’t going to play unless they had cash upfront.
At about 3:30 on the afternoon of the 5th, word began to circulate that acts were canceling, and the “rock & roll storm” had blown out. Most attendees were outside the concert grounds when the riot started, but about 300 fans inside began expressing anger. They threw beer cans and bottles at crews trying to pack up equipment rapidly.
A cluster of small trailers set up backstage for performers became an easy target. Rioters set them on fire, then went after the heavy equipment parked nearby. A concession building caught fire. The crowd pushed a milk truck into the seating area and overturned it before setting it on fire. A tall crane toppled over onto the stage, where it was also set on fire. Propane tanks exploded, sending roiling black clouds into the air.
In all the chaos several people received minor injuries. Six went to area hospitals, one with a broken leg and another with a concussion.
At least 80 police officers were called out by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho State Police. Another 20 Washington State Patrol officers arrived to help direct traffic.
The Kootenai County prosecutor launched an investigation. Threats of lawsuits went back and forth, but the concert and the riot essentially ended that evening.
If you lived in North Idaho and were a fan of rock concerts, this one was a must-see. Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) and Blue Oyster Cult were the headliners. You’d also see Flash Cadillac and the Continental Kids, Heart, and at least 26 other bands. They’d be playing June 4, 5 and 6 at Stateline, Idaho, at what was called Nor’wester ’76.
The tickets were a little steep: $30. But that was at the “door.” You could get them for 18 bucks if you bought them in advance, which plenty of people did. About 5,000 showed up that first evening to hear Blue Oyster Cult. The band did play, about five hours behind schedule. That was the high point.
On Saturday, the crowds came, but the bands didn’t. Promotors had allegedly sunk $250,000 into the festival and were out of money. Bands weren’t going to play unless they had cash upfront.
At about 3:30 on the afternoon of the 5th, word began to circulate that acts were canceling, and the “rock & roll storm” had blown out. Most attendees were outside the concert grounds when the riot started, but about 300 fans inside began expressing anger. They threw beer cans and bottles at crews trying to pack up equipment rapidly.
A cluster of small trailers set up backstage for performers became an easy target. Rioters set them on fire, then went after the heavy equipment parked nearby. A concession building caught fire. The crowd pushed a milk truck into the seating area and overturned it before setting it on fire. A tall crane toppled over onto the stage, where it was also set on fire. Propane tanks exploded, sending roiling black clouds into the air.
In all the chaos several people received minor injuries. Six went to area hospitals, one with a broken leg and another with a concussion.
At least 80 police officers were called out by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho State Police. Another 20 Washington State Patrol officers arrived to help direct traffic.
The Kootenai County prosecutor launched an investigation. Threats of lawsuits went back and forth, but the concert and the riot essentially ended that evening.
This is the poster advertising the Stateline concert. Someone crossed out the bands that didn’t show on this copy.
Buildings on fire during the rock riot.
The remains of a burned-out truck.
This crane was pushed over onto the stage and set on fire.
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