It’s been almost 50 years since legendary music acts such as Black Sabbath, Daddy Cool and Billy Thorpe all gathered to perform in a paddock at Myponga for the three-day Myponga Pop Festival in 1971.

To celebrate the milestone, the festival is set to make a comeback in 2021.

The District Council of Yankalilla has supported the reboot, agreeing to a loan of $30,000 to the organisers to get the event off the ground.

The event, scheduled for Saturday 30 January 2021, would see well-known and up-and-coming artists play in the Fleurieu Milk Company paddock in Myponga. Organisers hope to attract a crowd of around 3000 people.

According to the council, the event would be “an opportunity to stimulate the local economy and support the live music industry that has been severely affected by COVID-19”. 

“It will be a fantastic event to showcase our region and honor the fabled 1971 event.”

The original event was held from 30 January to 1 February 1971. 

Original promotional poster for the Myponga Pop Festival.

In addition to headliners Black Sabbath, the lineup also included Fraternity (featuring Bon Scott), Doug Parkinson, Moonshine Jug and String Band (later known as The Angels), and Spectrum and Chain, among others. Cat Stevens was listed on the original lineup but was a cancellation.

A Facebook group for fans of the original event includes photos from the event and stories from those who were there, including anecdotes such as Black Sabbath taking two hours to set up and being booed by the audience.

The main organiser was Hamish Henry, a young Adelaide millionaire entrepreneur who was a band manager in the early '70s.

The organisers of the 2021 event are Adelaide Live Events, Mr Henry and Victor Marshall from Grape Organisation, Rob Pippan Productions and Scott Rich, Little Heroes Foundation.

The council's loan will need to be repaid within the year.