The Legendary Woodstock Festival: A Celebration Of Music And Peace

On August 15, 1969, thousands of people gathered at a 600-acre dairy farm in Bethel, New York, for what would become one of the biggest events in music history. The idea behind the first Woodstock musical festival—which was conceived by John Roberts, Joel Rosenman, Artie Kornfield, and Michael Lang—was simply to raise enough money to build a recording studio in Woodstock, New York. But the three days of “peace and music” that unfolded from August 15-18 far exceeded anyone’s expectations. Ahead of Woodstock, 186,000 tickets were sold—but the actual turnout was so high that the festival was opened up to the public for free. The festival, which featured 32 acts total, was chaotic, rainy, and forever changed the history of music.

Richie Havens: The Opening Act

Richie Havens opened Woodstock at 5:07 p.m. on Friday evening. Due to traffic issues, many musicians were delayed, which gave Havens the opportunity to perform longer than planned. He claimed he played every song he knew, totaling 11 songs, including “From The Prison,” “With A Little Help From My Friends,” and “High Flying Bird.”

Havens later recounted one of his strongest memories: flying in a helicopter over the huge crowd that stretched back beyond the hills. He thought to himself, “This is incredible... We’re really here, and they can’t hide us anymore,” as he reflected on the magnitude of the event.

Arlo Guthrie: A Rainy Performance

Arlo Guthrie, son of musician Woody Guthrie, took the stage at 11:55 p.m. on Friday. His performance was marked by rain and rumors of drug use, as he played seven songs total, including “Coming Into Los Angeles” and “Amazing Grace.” Guthrie noted that everyone felt they were part of a history-making moment during the festival.

He emphasized how the size of the crowd and the overwhelming conditions, such as weather, roads, and food shortages, made it clear they were in the middle of something extraordinary. “Nothing like this had ever happened before, planned or by surprise,” he stated.

Joan Baez: A Pregnant Performer

Folk singer Joan Baez, who was pregnant at the time, was the last artist to perform on the first day, taking the stage around 1 a.m. After wishing everyone a good morning, she performed through light rain, delivering a setlist of 14 songs, including “Oh! Happy Day” and “We Shall Overcome.”

In a later interview, Baez expressed her delight at being allowed to perform among big-name bands. “It was wonderful... a three-day period during which people were decent to one another,” she said, reflecting on the festival's spirit.

Santana: A Breakout Moment

Woodstock served as a breakout moment for Santana, who rose to fame after performing “Soul Sacrifice” on Saturday, August 16. This performance helped propel his first album and included songs like “Evil Ways” and “Persuasion.” Santana recalled the festival as a gathering of real hippies, who believed in unity and sharing.

He explained how his experience at Woodstock was different from many others, emphasizing the ideals of love and harmony that characterized the event. “Jesus was the first hippie that I know,” he remarked playfully.

The Grateful Dead: A Technical Struggle

The Grateful Dead, although a famous act, faced numerous challenges during their performance. They played from 10:30 p.m. to midnight on the second day, but their show was plagued with technical difficulties. Rain caused flooding on stage and electrical issues, leading to delays during their performance of songs like “Dark Star” and “Turn On Your Lovelight.”

Jerry Garcia, their lead guitarist, later reflected on their set, stating, “We played such a bad set at Woodstock. The weekend was great, but our set was terrible.”

Creedence Clearwater Revival: A Unique Experience

Creedence Clearwater Revival performed at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 17, squeezing in 11 songs within their short 50-minute set. Despite being delayed by the Grateful Dead, they included hits like “Proud Mary” and “Born On The Bayou.”

John Fogerty described the scene, noting the surreal sight of half-naked, sleeping festival-goers in the crowd. “It looked like one of those pictures of the souls coming up out of hell,” he humorously remarked in his memoir.

Janis Joplin: A Wild Performance

Janis Joplin's performance at Woodstock marked one of her early appearances after leaving her band, Big Brother & The Holding Company. She played early Sunday morning, delivering songs like “Raise Your Hand” and “Piece Of My Heart.”

Her brother noted that she found the entire experience interesting and fun, calling it “wild” and full of party atmosphere.

The Who: A Late Night Show

Although The Who were originally scheduled to play Saturday, they took the stage on Sunday at 5 a.m. Their performance featured their iconic rock opera album, Tommy, and coincided with the sunrise.

Roger Daltrey reflected on the experience, describing the chaotic conditions and the challenges they faced with the sound and equipment. “We were battling the elements and ourselves,” he recalled.

Jefferson Airplane: A Memorable Performance

Jefferson Airplane was scheduled to perform Saturday but took the stage early Sunday morning instead. They played a total of 13 songs, including favorites like “Somebody To Love” and “White Rabbit.”

Singer Marty Balin described the festival as a “muddy mess at times” but also incredibly spectacular, highlighting the challenges of performing in such conditions.

Joe Cocker: A Pivotal Moment

Joe Cocker's performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday became a pivotal moment in his career. His rendition of “With A Little Help From My Friends” was particularly well-received, just before a thunderstorm hit the festival, causing a two-hour delay.

Cocker humorously noted that he ended up with a tie-dyed shirt that stained his chest in the same pattern after his performance.

Blood, Sweat & Tears: Late Night Magic

Blood, Sweat & Tears took to the stage at 1:30 a.m. on Monday morning, playing a total of 10 songs. Hits like “You've Made Me So Very Happy” and “Spinning Wheel” energized the audience.

Singer David Clayton-Thomas remarked on the significance of performing in front of such a massive crowd, recognizing it as a momentous event that may never happen again.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: A Nervous Debut

During their performance, it was only the second gig for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Drummer Dallas Taylor admitted feeling nervous about proving themselves as a new band. They played a mix of acoustic and electric sets featuring songs like “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.”

Despite their nerves, the experience was invaluable, as they realized that they had successfully made a mark during this historic event.

Jimi Hendrix: The Grand Finale

Jimi Hendrix and his band, known at the time as Gypsy Sun & Rainbows, concluded the festival with their performance on Monday morning at 9 a.m. His setlist included “Purple Haze” and a unique version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that resonated with many attendees.

Hendrix expressed his connection to the anthem, stating, “I’m American, so I play it. I thought it was beautiful,” reflecting the deep meaning behind his performance.

Other Notable Performers

Many other talented artists graced the stage during the festival, showcasing a range of musical styles. Notable performances included:

• Friday: Country Joe McDonald, John Sebastian, Ravi Shankar.
• Saturday: Quill, Canned Heat, Sly and the Family Stone.
• Sunday: Johnny Winter, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and Sha-Na-Na.

Woodstock was more than just a music festival; it was a cultural phenomenon that symbolized a generation's quest for peace, love, and unity. The performances and experiences shared at Woodstock continue to resonate today, leaving a lasting legacy in music history.