On This Date in 1969: The Who's Pete Townshend was charged with assaulting a police officer when he literally kicked a plainclothes cop off the stage at New York's Fillmore East. The policeman was attempting to warn the crowd about a fire next door.The Almanac Advises for May 16: "Though stage diving may look dangerous, there is a method to doing it safely. To avoid injury from the audience, make certain the crowd notices that you're onstage and is prepared to catch you. To avoid injury from the band, do not interfere with the musicians or their instruments."







