played some proms and homecoming dances at high schools around me. The Chicago area bands of that time were all very accessible and there wasn't a "star tripping" vibe to it. At a lot of these engagements at the time at armories, schools etc. the band would either be right on the floor or a fairly low riser. People in the audience were cool and just wanted to dance, hold hands, make out and watch the band. So you could walk right up and stand within a few feet of the band. Most didn't have some huge traveling PA system at that time. That whole manner of conduct changed of course. I saw Three Dog Night live when "Easy to Be Hard" first hit and we all stood right up a few feet from the band and they were just on the concrete floor. No riser. Even a big band like Jefferson Airplane would play places where people were laid back and cool and the band would have people standing close without a problem. That all changed too but here is a clip of an example from when it was laid back.