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A love-in is a peaceful public gathering focused on meditation, love, music, sex and/or use of recreational drugs. The term was coined by Los Angeles radio comedian Peter Bergman, creator of comedy group The Firesign Theater, who also hosted the first such event on Easter, 26 March 1967 in Elysian Park.[1]
The term love-in has been interpreted in varying manners, but is often connected to protesting local, social or environmental issues.[2][3] Such protests were often held in opposition to the Vietnam War.[4] As such, love-ins are largely considered a staple of the 1960s hippie counterculture.
More recently the term is occasionally used figuratively to describe a situation in which people shower praise on one another in excess.[5]
The First Love-in was preceded by the Heavenly Happening, at midnight, on November 16, 1966, on the Sheep Meadow in Central Park, organized by New York Parks Commissioner, Thomas Hoving.[6]
The Human Be-In at the Polo Fields in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park on January 14, 1967.[7][8][9]
The First Love-in started before dawn.[10] The Los Angeles Free Press promoted the event.[10] 15,000 people[11] crowded in a natural amphitheater in Elysian Park, and listened to the psychedelic rock bands Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, Clear Light, and the Flamin' Groovies.[12][13][14]
The New York Easter 1967[15][16] be-in was organized by Jim Fouratt, an actor; Paul Williams, editor of Crawdaddy! magazine; Susan Hartnett, head of the Experiments in Art and Technology organization; and Chilean poet and playwright Claudio Badal.[17]
Founded in 1967 at Harvard Square by J. Robert “Bob” Gordon, it recurred for nearly eight years, until 1975.[18][19]
Original 1st printing 17&3/8 x 22&3/8" concert/event poster for the 3/26/1967 Easter Sunday Love-In, an all-day happening held at Elysian Park in Los Angeles, CA......... by Gary Grimshaw, image is featured in the Art of Rock book on page 270 (plate 3.53).
It wasn't just self-identified hippies who attended, but bikers, the "straight" ones, the curious ones, singles and families, and self-proclaimed clans ("families" created by choice) flying home-made banners. And, yes, many were high, openly flaunting the laws. at the 1st Elysian Park Love-In on March 26, 1967 in Los Angeles, California
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