On January 14, 1967 a Human Be-In called the Gathering of the Tribes was held at the Polo Grounds. Speakers included Jerry Rubin, Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Timothy Leary. The Jefferson Airplane were the musical guests. On May 7, 1969 The Grateful Dead and The Jefferson Airplane performed here.

In October of 1991 a crowd of 300,000 turned out for the Bill Graham memorial concert. It was called "Laughter, Love and Music" and it lived up to its title. Crosby, Stills and Nash, Journey, Santana, and Bobby McFerrin played for free.