The Revolution Comes to an End
The violence and indifference of the crowd present at the Altamont concert are seen by many as the sign that spelled the end of the cultural revolution that began in the earlier years. Mick Jagger is thus the symbol of the self-centeredness of the crowd, and many have said that the lyrics of “American Pie” find him responsible for not preventing or even for provoking the events of that night.
Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones performs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 4, 2015, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The entire episode shows the epitome of the aggressive rebellion that transformed America from a somewhat innocent and naïve society into a slightly apocalyptic nation that used violent means to tear up the old order. “I saw Satan laughing with delight” is the climax of a moment that shows just how ugly things have become.