3 ms·

you are absolutely right on one level, but to balance it out... really nobody involved really wanted to be at that concert as it was put together... it was pure

• drzaiusapelord 11y ago
  Back in the day, all major label concerts were products of label management. Headlining artists had some sway to choose openers, but this wasn't an extraordinary event where Davis was hogtied and forced to play at gunpoint. More than likely Young had a hand in this out of mutual respect for Davis' immense talents. I do see where some coercion was possible, but by 1970 Davis certainly had the political weight to turn this down if he truly didn't want to do it. The reality here is that he was past his heyday in terms of sales by then and probably wanted to revitalize his career by touring with the current popular bands. Birth of the Cool was almost 15 years old by then. There's definitely a diva factor at play here.