In the vibrant spring of 1975, Pink Floyd excitedly announced their much-anticipated U.S. tour set for April, coinciding with the final touches on their upcoming album Wish You Were Here. This news sent Floyd fans into a frenzy as tickets rapidly sold out, particularly in Los Angeles, where the band planned what Billboard heralded as “an unprecedented five-night stand” from April 23-27 at the iconic Los Angeles Sports Arena.

While rock enthusiasts in the City of Angels celebrated this musical event, Edward M. Davis, the self-proclaimed “meanest police chief in the history of the United States,” simmered with disdain. His contempt for rock music and its culture became apparent after he took the helm of the police department in 1969, enforcing a strict policy that often led to the arrest of L.A. rock fans for minor infractions during concerts. According to Rolling Stone, by 1975, “thousands” of concertgoers had faced charges ranging from marijuana possession to underage drinking since 1967. The Free Press clearly articulated the situation, stating that Davis’ unspoken strategy was to “discourage rock events in the city of L.A.”

Explore More: How to Experience Pink Floyd’s 1975 ‘Wish You Were Here’ Tour

In the lead-up to Pink Floyd’s highly anticipated residency at the Sports Arena, speculation ran rampant that the LAPD aimed to utilize these concerts as a platform to deliver a stern message about drug use at live events. A fan recounted to Rolling Stone that during his arrest at a Robin Trower concert in March, he overheard an officer ominously state: “If you think this is something, you ought to see what we’re going to do at the Sports Arena.”

On the inaugural night of Pink Floyd’s concert series, approximately 75 officers, both in plain clothes and uniforms, infiltrated the crowd. By the conclusion of the evening, a staggering 88 fans had been escorted out in handcuffs. The following night saw an even higher number, as 134 more individuals experienced the same fate. Jim Rissmiller, one of the concert promoters, publicly condemned the police actions, expressing his shock at the aggressive attitude of law enforcement, stating, “I’ve never seen such an attitude of aggressiveness.”

Meanwhile, Davis found himself in a position of authority, addressing a gathering at the Los Angeles Hilton while Pink Floyd performed on April 25. Speaking to members of the Rotary Club, Davis took the opportunity to publicly denounce the happenings just a few miles away, proclaiming, “Tonight at the Sports Arena, under three governmental agencies, they have a dope festival. You could get stoned just walking through the place.” Supporting his claims, police estimates suggested that around 70 percent of the crowd was engaging in marijuana smoking during that first Floyd show.

As Pink Floyd wrapped up their series of performances, the arrest count had reached an astonishing total of 511 individuals for various offenses. Of these, a significant portion—364 charges—were related to “simple possession” of marijuana, while other charges included “minors under the influence” and “sexual perversion,” the latter being applied to youths seeking refuge at a nearby park.

Following the concerts, a substantial backlash against Davis’ stringent policies emerged. The manager of the Sports Arena and the event promoters both criticized the LAPD’s conduct, labeling it as “harassment.” The Los Angeles Times characterized the behavior of fans during the shows as “orderly” and hinted at a “double standard” employed by local law enforcement when dealing with rock fans. Most significantly, the civilian-controlled Los Angeles Police Commission summoned Davis to address the numerous complaints that had poured in from the public.

A year later, the Los Angeles Times reported that Davis’ controversial plan had cost the city an astounding $35,523 in regular and overtime pay for the officers involved, yet only six cases proceeded to trial, resulting in no guilty verdicts.

Despite facing this wave of criticism, Davis remained defiant. He dismissed the Sports Arena manager as a “crybaby” and labeled California legislators contemplating reduced penalties for marijuana as “irresponsible, no-good sons of bitches.”

In response to growing public dissent and pressure from both the media and the police commission, Davis was eventually compelled to alter his approach during his remaining two years as chief. By October, police made minimal arrests at an Elton John concert at Dodger Stadium, signifying a shift in strategy aligned with Davis’ post-Floyd commitment to city officials that law enforcement would focus on serious violations (e.g., the sales and use of hard narcotics) at large rock concerts.

Confronted with widespread disapproval from the public and increasing pressure from politicians, Davis began to relent. Over subsequent years, this shift in policy became evident at concerts across the city: once the house lights dimmed, pot smokers felt free to indulge, aware that the LAPD would turn a blind eye while the performances unfolded.

It is clear that Edward M. Davis was far from pleased with this change in atmosphere.

Think You Know Everything About Pink Floyd?