About Woodstock 1969

Rolling Stone has called it "the most famous event in rock history." The Woodstock Music and Art Fair, on a 600-acre farm in the township of Bethel, New York, from August 15-18, 1969, represents more than a peaceful gathering of 500,000 people and 32 musical performances. Woodstock has become an idea that has suffused our culture, politically and socially, as much as musically. Joni Mitchell, who didn't attend but wrote an anthemic song about it, once said, "Woodstock was a spark of beauty" where half-a-million kids "saw that they were part of a greater organism." According to Michael Lang, one of four young men who formed Woodstock Ventures to produce the festival, "That's what means the most to me – the connection to one another felt by all of us who worked on the festival, all those who came to it, and the millions who couldn't be there but were touched by it."

Lang met Artie Kornfeld, a Capitol Records A&R man and songwriter, in late 1968, and the two envisioned producing a festival in Woodstock, New York.and building a building a recording studio there. In search of financing they connected with John Roberts and Joel Rosenman, a pair of young venture capitalists who were already building Media Sound studios, a large-scale recording facility in New York City. In February of 1969, the four men incorporated Woodstock Ventures, Inc., and they began work on the festival. Soon, the conservative townsfolk of Wallkill became alarmed by the growing number of longhairs arriving to prepare the festival grounds, and a number of lawsuits were filed to stop the festival. After weeks of tension, town meetings, and legal maneuverings, Woodstock Ventures were refused permission to produce the festival.The studio project was put on hold so they could focus all their energy on saving the festival. Miraculously, 600 bucolic acres belonging to White Lake dairyman Max Yasgur, in the township of Bethel, New York, were discovered after Lang recieved a call from a local motel owner Elliott Tiber the day after the Wallkill site was lost. Work rapidly got underway to turn the rural acreage into a concert site with camping areas for 200,000. Three weeks later, during the week of August 11, thousands of people from all over the country began flocking to the festival site.

By Wednesday, August 13, the lush green bowl in front of the massive 75-foot stage was already filled with some 60,000 people. On Friday the roads were so clogged with cars that the only way most artists could reach the festival was by helicopter from a nearby airstrip. Though over 100,000 tickets were sold prior to the festival weekend, they became unnecessary: The fences and gates were never finished and people simply swarmed over those that were in place. "It's a free concert from now on!" was announced from the stage. As John Roberts later pointed out, "It took us eleven years to break even, but it was a success in every other way."

The music was scheduled to start at 4 p.m. on August 15, and just after 5 it did, thanks to New York-born folksinger Richie Havens. His improvised and rhythmic "Freedom" set the tone for the weekend. "The vibe at Woodstock was an expression of the times," says Joel Rosenman. "Energized by repugnance for a senseless war and for the entrenched discrimination of the establishment, a spirited but nonviolent counterculture was sweeping the country. That counterculture burst into bloom like the mother of all Mother's Day bouquets at Woodstock."

The occasional cloudburst delayed the primarily acoustic music as Friday night wore on, but eight acts, plus a swami, made it to the stage. Around 2 a.m, Joan Baez closed the first night with the spiritual "We Shall Overcome."

Saturday boasted the most music of the weekend, starting just after noon and continuing until Sunday at dawn (with Jefferson Airplane performing "morning maniac music," as described by Grace Slick). Highlights included the then-unknown Santana in mid-afternoon, and that night spectacular back-to-back performances by Sly and the Family Stone and The Who. Blues-rock was featured via Canned Heat and Mountain, followed by such legendary California-based artists as the Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Janis Joplin. Sunday featured another long span of music, though violent thunderstorms wreaked havoc just after Joe Cocker and The Grease Band's finale of "A Little Help From My Friends." The music was delayed until late afternoon but carried on throughout the night with more highlights including the Texas bluesman Johnny Winter and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (their second gig). On Monday morning at 8:30, Jimi Hendrix closed out the festival. His magnificent, improvisational version of "The Star Spangled Banner" has come to symbolize the weekend.

Around 10:30 a.m. on August 18, the festival came to an end. The innovative concert film Woodstock, directed by Michael Wadleigh, was released in March of 1970 and took the festival's message around the world. The movie documented a community of a half million people who managed to peacefully co-exist over three days of consistent rain, food shortages, and a lack of creature comforts. "Woodstock is a reminder that inside each of us is the instinct for building a decent, loving community, the kind we all wish for," according to Joel Rosenman. "Over the decades, the history of that weekend has served as a beacon of hope that a beautiful spirit in each of us ultimately will triumph."

Recordings of the music played that weekend still evoke the magic and power felt by those who were there. "It was a privilege to help found something that has meant so much to so many," adds Rosenman. "Woodstock turned out to be a sort of permanent relative of the Family of Man—the adventuresome, kind-hearted uncle you're always happy to see at Thanksgiving and graduation. I'm really grateful that we both ended up in the same family."

Two days after Woodstock ended, the New York Times ran an editorial praising what had happened at Bethel (a reversal from a previous editorial condemning the festival). It concluded with a quote from Shakespeare's Henry V, which seems appropriate upon the fortieth anniversary of Woodstock: "He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, will stand a-tiptoe when this day is nam'd."

Woodstock 1969 Artists

Arlo Guthrie	Bert Sommer	Blood, Sweat &	Canned Heat	Country Joe and
Country Joe McD	Creedence Clear	Crosby, Stills	Crosby, Stills,	Gratetful Dead
Janis Joplin	Jefferson Airpl	Jimi Hendrix	Joan Baez	Joe Cocker
John Sebastian	Johnny & Edgar	Keef Hartley Ba	melanie	Mountain
Paul Butterfiel	Quill	Ravi Shankar	Richie Havens	Santana
Sha-Na-Na	Sly & The Famil	Sweetwater	Ten Years After	The Band
The Grease Band	The Incredible	The Who	Tim Hardin

Woodstock 1969 Attendees

Shayn

Carmi

thefo

AMBER

Testa

steph

nylib

dirt

Woodstock 1969 Dates

Woodstock 1969 Reviews

		Jefferson Airplane - Woodstock 1969, Bethel, NY - 08/16/1969 Jefferson Airplane is very good!...
		Creedence Clearwater Revival - Woodstock 1969, Bethel, NY - 08/16/1969 Never forget when Creedence came on. They hit the opening riff and, because of Top 40 radio, everyo...
		Jimi Hendrix - Woodstock 1969, Bethel, NY - 08/18/1969 Drummer Mitch Mitchell returned in time for the Woodstock music festival on August 18, 1969, for whi...

Woodstock 1969 Official Photos

Woodstock 1969 Festival Site Map	Michael Lang discusses festival with Bethel officials	The Who onstage early Sunday morning from left: John Entwistle Roger Daltrey Keith Moon Pete Townshend	Wavy Gravy & Michael Lang
Stage being constructed	Wood for the stage Michael Lang (left) talks to truck driver	After the festival: stage and debris	Jimi Hendrix backstage

Woodstock Editor Video Picks

The Who - The Who - Shakin' All Over - Woodstock 1969	Santana - Santana - Soul Sacrifice (Woodstock 1969)	The Who - The Who - I'm Free - Woodstock 1969	Santana - Santana - Fried Neckbones Live in Woodstock 1969
Canned Heat - Canned Heat live at Woodstock 1969.	Janis Joplin - Joplin - Piece of My Heart [live Woodstock]	Canned Heat - Canned Heat - Woodstock Boogie (Live at Woodstock 1969)	Joe Cocker - Joe Cocker - A Little Help From My Friends - Woodstock 1969
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - Crosby Stills Nash & Young - rare Woodstock footage	Sly and the Family Stone - Sly and the Family Stone I Want To Take You Higher Woodstock	Janis Joplin - Janis Joplin-Tell Mama	The Who - The Who - My Generation [Woodstock 1969]
Janis Joplin - Janis Joplin - woodstock'69	Arlo Guthrie - Arlo Guthrie - Coming Into Los Angeles - Woodstock 1969	Matthews Southern Comfort - Matthews Southern Comfort - Woodstock	The Who - The Who - The Acid Queen - Woodstock 1969
Joan Baez - Joan Baez- We Shall Overcome (Woodstock 1969)	Jimi Hendrix - Jimi Hendrix - Gypsy Woman unreleased Woodstock performance	Jimi Hendrix - Hendrix plays National Anthem	Bert Sommer - Bert Sommer - "Jennifer", Woodstock 1969 (DVD)
Joe Cocker - Joe Cocker Live at Woodstock 1969	The Who - The Who, Pinball Wizard Live at Woodstock 1969	The Who - The Who See Me Feel Me Woodstock 1969 (Director's cut)	The Who - THE WHO...WOODSTOCK 1969
Ten Years After - Ten Years After live at Woodstock 1969.	Jefferson Airplane - Jefferson Airplane - Planes	The Band - The Band - Tears of Rage - Woodstock 69	Richie Havens - Richie Havens- Strawberry Fields
Country Joe - Country Joe - Rock And Soul Music - Woodstock 1969	Joni Mitchell - "Woodstock" Joni Mitchell	Grateful Dead - Grateful Dead @ Woodstock 8-16-69 • Mama Tried	Jimi Hendrix - Foxey Lady Live at Woodstock 1969
The Who - The Who - Summertime Blues - Woodstock 1969	Janis Joplin - Summertime - Janis Joplin & Jimi Hendrix	Jimi Hendrix - Jimi Hendrix- Red House	Jimi Hendrix - Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze at Woodstock 1969
Santana - Santana - Africa Bamba	Crosby, Stills & Nash - Blackbird - CSN at Woodstock 1969	Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Drifting Blues(Woodstock 1969)	Joan Baez - Joan Baez - Joe Hill & Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Woodstock

Woodstock Experiences

		jerryd > Woodstock 1969 > jerry Posted: Jun 06, 2010 hi im jerry me and my bother were sleeping on abandon house porch on 17B guy named charlie who bo was sleeping in a station wagan took a pic of us if your still above ground contact me on facebook under jerry durante...
		Cordell Francis > Woodstock 1969 > Cordell Did His Solo Career In 2007 Posted: Apr 17, 2010 In 2007, Cordell Released A Live Album...
		colomae > Woodstock 1969 > woodstock 69, we were there. Posted: Mar 17, 2010 we got there firday afternoon. nice guy who said he lived next door gave us ride all the way to the stage. there was richie h singing freedom. the people on the hill, started to do a wave., i grew up right then. we walked up the hill. we walked arou...
		projectwoodstock > Woodstock 1969 > Project Woodstock Posted: Feb 10, 2010 In 1969, a life changing event happened. Unfourtunatly, in 1991.. I was born. I've had dreams and wishes of being there on those days. But no matter how much i wish and dream, it will never come true. Luckly, I have a chance to turn everyones opinions...
		Jeff L > Woodstock 1969 > Close but no Cigar Posted: Feb 03, 2010 Even though I went to Woodstock with a couple of friends from high school, by the time we got there Sat. morning we couldn't get near the exit we wanted to take. We crept along bumper to bumper on some road for what seemed like miles only to be turned aro...
		Maui Mike > Woodstock 1969 > Woodstock Hippie Theme Custom Chopper Unique Show Bike Posted: Jan 20, 2010 My ULTIMATE Woodstock memorbilia piece must be sold and I'm SAD!! I thought it would be appropriate to post it here because others may have the same passion for this life-changing event... This is a ONE OF A KIND motorcycle built with nothing but PEACE...
		ROCKING FUN MUSIC REALITY ROCK SHOP > Woodstock 1969 > Some Woodstock hi-lites Posted: Dec 30, 2009 I was born in the magical year 1969. A Woodstock baby, I guess. -Kellie Levans- ALL~MOST FAMOUS VIDEO REVIEW MAGAZINE...
		odes > Woodstock 1969 > The Orange Blossom Express . . . . a novel set in 1969 Posted: Dec 02, 2009 Love and peace gets complicated as Maggie and Lucy survive relationships with their drug smuggling boyfriends. The bizarre and edgy realities of the Age of Aquarius tempered with a raw narrative fiction that brings the era to back to life. orangeblosso...
		peace_love_understanding > Woodstock 1969 > never had the chance.... Posted: Nov 24, 2009 to experiance something prolly so spectacular. i am sure it was so incredibaly amzingg. and i feel terribly sad tht i couldnt be the one to experiance it. it is only passed down throught generations to me and my yunger brother. sadly, i couldnt stand ther...
		Donnie Mayer > Woodstock 1969 > Heading to Woodstock Posted: Nov 03, 2009 Everyone, thousands of us, all walking from wherever our last ride ended. Charlie Hicks and I were 15 years old and had hitchhiked from Arlington, VA. The NY state thruway was clogging up, we had to walk. The total walk ride for me and Charlie was about 3...
		Kikaniels > Woodstock 1969 > Can U help us Posted: Oct 16, 2009 Hi. We are are 2 students in France. And we're doing a project about woodstock festival. We need to know about your experience of Woodstock 69, 94 or 99 Thanks you for helping us. =)...
		JohnnyBGood > Woodstock 1969 > I'm the guy on the inside cover of the album. Posted: Oct 14, 2009 During the late 80's early 90's. I took my oldest son to a flea mkt in Tampa Fl. He was/is very interested in music. So we stopped at a shop that had a ton of oldies. Then we came across the Woodstock album. For some reason, I had never seen that album. W...
		jtate > Woodstock 1969 > I meet so many new friends their. We atew,sleep and got trhrough all of the rain and lack of food and bathing!!! Posted: Sep 24, 2009 Just getting back from Vietnam the previous March I was alone and had really no group of people with me. was kind of worried that i mabe not looked at as a friend. So many stories i was told when i got home. That the long hairs as they where called hate...
		ShayneA10 > Woodstock 1969 > Leather wristbands and belts Posted: Sep 14, 2009 I was in Wasington DC hanging with my best friend Chryl Taylor . We had a Caravan with some people that made Leather goods. When we got to woodstock there was a line for Miles But we made it. We had to set up Camp aboit 3 mi from the music.we got there on...
		abaauer > Woodstock 1969 > Looking for 3 people from Louisiana I went to Woodstock with Posted: Sep 05, 2009 I meet 2 girls and a guy in Central Park, New York on Thursday before the concert. One of the girls was from Baton Rouge and her father was a published science fiction writer. The other girl and her boyfriend were from New Orleans. When I meet them, the...
		Terri > Woodstock 1969 > Woman Marine Quantico Virginia Posted: Sep 04, 2009 I was a lifeguard/swimming instructor at Quantico MC base and hanging out at the enlisted mens pool in my speedo bathing suit when fellow lifeguards John and Tony drove up and invited me to accompany them to "a concert." I said nope, I have a court martia...
		indiandreamer > Woodstock 1969 > Woodstock or BUST! Posted: Sep 02, 2009 Well I it's a real bummer that my dad caught me with a bag in hand heading out the door to meet up with some friends who were driving cross country to Woodstock. I think because I had run away from home a few months earlier to San Francisco, Haight Ashbur...
		Choo Choo 67 > Woodstock 1969 > Woodstock, 1968!!!! Yup, that's right.... Posted: Aug 31, 2009 I was on my way to the Woodstock Festival (at Bethel) a group of us had tickets...we were going up in a Pick up truck...but somewhere along the way we got re-routed and held up due to the traffic...so we ended up all over the map...and had some good adven...
		Marilyn Wells > Woodstock 1969 > Thrilled by 40th anniversary! Posted: Aug 31, 2009 I was 12 in 1969, Too young for Woodstock. A friend of mine went when he was 12. He ran away from home so he could go (from Seattle) and while hitching he was picked up by a very nice hippie guy who took him under his wing and they traveled across the cou...
		FRANK D'ANDREA > Woodstock 1969 > Six of us from Milford CT. Posted: Aug 25, 2009 There were 3 couples. Glenn and Patty, Joe and Maryann and myself (Frank) and Linda. We left early Friday morning. It took us about 2 and half hours to get there. On the way in my 68 Carmero I remember listening to "THE CREAM" on my 8 track. We camped ou...