Rocking new book reveals Isle of Wight festival history

Rocking The Isle of Wight is a new book about the original festivals put on by three Totland brothers, Ronnie, Ray and Bill Foulk ­— all of them then in their mid-20s.

This time, the story of the three festivals is told from the local angle ­— a fascinating account of how locals from all walks of life helped the brothers to put on the festivals, and how sometimes others did their utmost to prevent them from happening.

The story stars local landowners and a council full of brigadiers, admirals, commanders and generals, all strictly opposed to the festivals.

They were aided and abetted by the local MP, Mark Woodnutt, and even the County Press.

Rocking The Isle of Wight brings together a collection of confidential official documents, interviews with locals, unseen correspondence and more than 60 previously unseen colour photographs of the festival, to tell the day by day story of the problems and sheer hostility the brothers faced in putting on the festivals.

Isle of Wight Festival, 1970. Pictures by Alan Stroud.

Many of the colour photographs were taken by Ken Box, who taught art at Carisbrooke Grammar at the time.

Ken took photos all over the site, before, during and after the festivals, and captured the very essence of the 1970 festival.

"It is a remarkable story, involving a superstar cast, death threats, High Court battles, an Act of Parliament and huge amounts of money," said Alan Stroud.

"The festivals helped to inspire a generation of young people across the land, not just the Island, and made it possible for locals to see superstars in world class events in their own backyard.

"Many of those who went to the festivals say that the experience changed their life."

Rocking The Isle of Wight also has commentary throughout the book by co-author, Ray Foulk, who said: "For 50 years, we have seen an awful lot of rubbish recited in the media about these events.

Bob Dylan and promoter Ray Foulk at the Press conference held at the Halland Hotel, Seaview, a few days before the Wootton festival.

"Here, Alan and Tom take a more scholarly approach, busting myths, decapitating tall stories and revealing truths, warts and all.

"The book contains refreshing revelations after half a century of exaggerations, confusions and downright untruths.

"The Strouds are more than qualified to undertake this comprehensive examination of the original Isle of Wight Festivals."

Rocking The Isle of Wight is published by Now And Then Books and is available now.

Signed copies can be bought from the website rockingtheisleofwight.com or from Chivertons of Cowes.

The book can also be picked up from Farnsworth's in Newport.