Some Claim that the Crowd ‘Wave’ Originated in Colorado

There's no question that the original Woodstock Music and Art Fair that took place in upstate New York back in 1969 was one of the biggest and most renowned music festivals in history.

Read More: 12 Years Ago: Colorado’s 4/20 Festival Looked a Lot Different |

However, it may come as a surprise to you to learn that another, very similar festival took place in Colorado less than two months prior to the legendary Woodstock and is even said to have been the birthplace of the famous 'wave.'

Did a Colorado Music Festival Give Birth to the Wave?

If you've ever been to a major sporting event, you've likely either seen or participated in what's known as 'the wave.' This tradition has been a staple at football, baseball, and basketball games for many years and is one of the coolest phenomenons to witness in the stands.

Interestingly, legend has it that this particular phenomenon originated all the way back in 1969 at the Woodstock-esque Denver Pop Festival. The three-day festival saw major acts take the stage at Mile High Stadium including The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, and many more.

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While the festival was later diminished by Woodstock, an estimated 50,000 people were said to have been in attendance and the eccentric genius Frank Zappa took advantage of the situation in a brilliant way.

Zappa was said to have assigned different sounds and motions to different sections of the audience and on his command, the sections would respond by making their assigned sounds and motions, including one which saw the spectators stand up from their chairs and raise their arms.

It was Zappa's idea of playing a tune on his "crowd instrument" that many consider the birth of the now-famous wave.