When the Stars Came Out

When The Stars Came Out: The Story of the Mississippi River Festival

When the Stars Came Out
$15.00 – $19.95

In the summer of 1969, the Mississippi River Festival (MRF) kicked off on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Over the next 12 turbulent summers, the outdoor concert series attracted more than a million fans, showcased the talents of hundreds of legendary performers, and created countless memories among the artists, fans and workers who called the MRF their summer home.

The Who, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, the Eagles, Janis Joplin and many other rock legends played the MRF. But the festival’s commitment to music diversity allowed area fans to also enjoy classical, jazz, dance, barbershop, theater and bluegrass over the course of a summer.

The Mississippi River Festival is a part of history now, but it remains a beloved piece of nostalgia for thousands of St. Louis area residents. And now, for the first time, the complete story is being told. With fan reviews, artist recounts, and a gallery of rare, vintage photos, this is the story of what happened when the stars came out.

About the Book

In the summer of 1969, the Mississippi River Festival (MRF) kicked off on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Over the next 12 turbulent summers, the outdoor concert series attracted more than a million fans, showcased the talents of hundreds of legendary performers, and created countless memories among the artists, fans and workers who called the MRF their summer home.

The Who, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, the Eagles, Janis Joplin and many other rock legends played the MRF. But the festival’s commitment to music diversity allowed area fans to also enjoy classical, jazz, dance, barbershop, theater and bluegrass over the course of a summer. How many entertainment series could attract Henry Mancini AND Alice Cooper? Bob Hope AND Richard Pryor? The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra AND the Ozark Mountain Daredevils? Sir Michael Redgrave AND Julie Harris?

The Mississippi River Festival is a part of history now, but it remains a beloved piece of nostalgia for thousands of St. Louis area residents. And now, for the first time, the complete story is being told. This is the story of what happened when the stars came out.

Find When the Stars Came Out at Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis, Missouri; the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis, Missouri; Euclid Records in St. Louis, Missouri; The Webster Groves Bookshop in Webster Groves, Missouri; Afterwords Books in Edwardsville, Illinois; and Trusty Chords Record Shop in Edwardsville, Illinois.

$15.00 – $19.95Select options

A Stellar Recount of Music History

When the Stars Came Out allows the artists who performed, the fans who cheered, and the dedicated folks who made it all possible to tell the MRF story in a comprehensive manner for the first time.

Reviews

“Wow, does this book take me back! It’s great!”

-Bill Craft

“The book is great! Reading it is such a joy, bringing back many memories of the festival, as well as the people connected with it.”

-Cindy Reinhardt

“This is absolutely the book the MRF deserved! The story needed to be told and (Pierce) did a perfect job.”

–Rick Stankoven

“Marvelous! A great and informative read.”

-Tom Webb

Meet the Author

Mark Pierce

Mark Pierce has been a journalist and corporate communications leader in the St. Louis area for more than 30 years. A graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Mark’s love of music and connections with many who played pivotal roles in the Mississippi River Festival story served as inspiration to write the first book that truly tells the MRF’s story. Mark lives in Glen Carbon with his wife, Sara.

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