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During a 1978 tour, psychobilly punk band The
Cramps created one of the strangest moments in
the history of both rock n’ roll and psychiatry
when they played a gig inside Napa State Mental
Hospital. It’s hard to believe it actually happened.
The story sounds more like an exaggerated rock
legend than an account of a real concert, but no
suspension of disbelief is needed. Someone filmed
the gig.
The footage is grainy, black and white, and chaotic,
and we immediately see the band launch into a
high-energy version of Mystery Plane. The gig
ascends into pure punk rock chaos.
Patients jump on stage and pogo like they were
Saturday night regulars. Lux Interior suddenly
duets with a member of the crowd who grabs the
mike and adds her own improvised lyrics to the
mix. One of the great pieces of rock and roll
footage.
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