Welcome to Woodstock 1969 - 55 Years ago... August 17-18
It was 55 years ago today that I was hanging out with my best Friend, Butch, the Bass Player in my Rock Band (Bevo), backstage at an Event that would change my Life forever... in my wildest dreams, this could never happen to a Farm Boy from Wisconsin.
The purpose of this Series of Articles is to give my Friends a first-hand view of how this all came about from someone who was there... and to detail the Impact the Event had on the history of Classic Rock. After I cover the actual 4-day Event, I will give the details of the whole Shebang that started in Boston in January when I attended the Led Zeppelin Concert at the Boston Tea Party ... where I got wind of something interesting... that 2 ambitious Founders of "Woodstock Ventures" wanted to hold an Event in Woodstock, New York. Its purpose was to raise funds to build a Recording Studio to support the Artist Colony there.
In this initial Series, I will cover all 32 Acts with just the basics of what happened and provide Vids of their performance... I will only choose 1 Song to review at the time (with full details in a later issue). This will all be a part of my Book "The Sounds of Music".. the History of how the Musical Sounds generated by Humans evolved over time from the first Drumming by Cave Men, through to what we call Modern Music.
Note: I want to give a Big "Thumbs UP!" to Michael Lang of Woodstock Ventures whose excellent Book "The Road to Woodstock" takes the reader through his amazing Journey... his Perseverance and Magical Vision brought together an unprecedented gathering of Musicians and Fans on Max Yasgur's Dairy Farm in Bethel, New York on August 15th for 4 Awesome Fukin' Days.
We will cover the 3rd Day of the "3 (4) Days of PEACE, LOVE & MUSIC"
Rock On ♪♪♪
Day 3: Sunday, August 17, 1969
A storm arrived shortly after Joe Cocker finished his performance in the early afternoon that swept across White Lake and Bethel. The storm dumped over 25mm (1 inch) of rain near the venue. There was "wild lightning and strong winds" accompanying the rain.
It forced organizers to cover electronic equipment and move people off the stage. Performances were delayed until at least 6:30 PM as a result of the storm. Yasgur's fields were transformed into a "sea of mud" due to the heavy rainfall.The muddy conditions slightly thinned the crowds.
2:00 P.M. - Joe Cocker
The Grease Band delivered a powerful and emotionally charged performance... the set included Covers of Songs by Bob Dylan, Traffic, and The Coasters, as well as his own material. The highlight of Cocker's performance was his now-legendary rendition of The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends," which showcased his raw, gravelly vocals and intense, spasmodic stage presence. This performance, characterized by Cocker's passionate delivery and unique physical expressions, helped catapult him to stardom and solidified his place in rock history. The energy and soul he brought to the stage that day perfectly encapsulated the spirit of Woodstock and left an indelible mark on the Festival's Legacy.
6:30 P.M. - Country Joe and the Fish
After a three-hour rain delay, the Band featured a new Lineup assembled specifically for the Festival... they played a diverse Set that included both old favorites and new material. Their performance began with "Rock and Soul Music" and included Tracks like "Love," "Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine," and "Summer Dresses". The highlight of their Set was undoubtedly the iconic "Fish Cheer/I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag," which became a defining moment of the Festival. This Anti-war Song, with its provocative cheer spelling out a certain four-letter word, perfectly captured the defiant spirit of the Counterculture movement. Despite the muddy conditions left by the earlier thunderstorm, Country Joe and the Fish's energetic performance helped reinvigorate the Crowd and set the Stage for the remaining Acts of the evening.
8:15 P.M. - Ten Years After
Their electrifying set, particularly the extended rendition of "I'm Going Home," was a most memorable Performance... Alvin Lee's virtuosic Guitar playing, showcased in his lightning-fast Solos and energetic Stage presence. It left an indelible impression on the audience and became emblematic of the Festival's Spirit. The Band's ability to deliver such a powerful performance despite challenging conditions - playing after a major rainstorm to a tired and muddy crowd - further highlights their exceptional musicianship. Additionally, their set featured a compelling mix of blues covers and original compositions, demonstrating their versatility and roots.
10:00 P.M. - The Band
Taking the stage around 10 p.m. on Sunday night, after weather-related delays, they delivered an 11-song set featuring classics from their album "Music From Big Pink." Despite challenging conditions, with the festival grounds in rough shape and the audience tired after three days of music, The Band's performance was impressive and well-received. Robbie Robertson later described their set as "a slow, haunting set of mountain music," which seemed appropriate given their connection to the Woodstock area. Their performance included memorable renditions of songs like "The Weight," "Tears of Rage," and "I Shall Be Released." While not initially featured in the Woodstock documentary, footage of their performance has since surfaced in deluxe editions, preserving this important moment in rock history. The Band's Woodstock set showcased their unique blend of Americana, folk, and rock, further cementing their reputation as one of the era's most influential groups.
Midnight - Johnny Winter Band
Johnny Winter delivered an electrifying performance... his setlist showcased his impressive Blues-rock Style and Guitar virtuosity, opening with a powerful rendition of J.B. Lenoir's "Mama, Talk to Your Daughter". Winter's set included original compositions like "Leland Mississippi Blues" and "Mean Town Blues," the latter featuring an extended instrumental jam that highlighted his exceptional slide guitar technique on a modified 12-string Fender guitar. Midway through the performance, Winter's brother Edgar joined him on stage, contributing keyboards and saxophone for the remainder of the set. Together, they delivered memorable covers of Bo Diddley's "I Can't Stand It" and John D. Loudermilk's "Tobacco Road," with Edgar providing an impassioned vocal performance on the latter. Despite the late hour, Winter's high-energy set was well-received and considered one of the festival's highlights, though it was ultimately omitted from the Woodstock movie and soundtrack.
1:30 A.M. Bood Sweat and Tears
The nine-member band, led by vocalist David Clayton-Thomas, showcased their unique blend of Rock, Jazz, and Blues to the festival crowd. Their setlist featured ten songs, primarily from their first two albums, including hits like "Spinning Wheel," "And When I Die," and "You've Made Me So Very Happy". The band's horn section, featuring trumpeters Lew Soloff and Chuck Winfield, trombonist Jerry Hyman, and alto saxophonist Fred Lipsius, added a distinctive jazz-rock flavor to their performance. Despite challenges posed by the humid conditions affecting the sound quality, particularly the horn intonation, Blood, Sweat & Tears delivered an energetic set that highlighted their musical versatility.
3:00 A.M. - Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
The band played separate acoustic and electric sets, with Neil Young joining midway through the acoustic portion. Their setlist included now-classic songs like "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," "Marrakesh Express," and "Wooden Ships". Despite the late hour, CSNY's harmonies and musicianship captivated the audience, showcasing their unique blend of folk-rock and intricate vocal arrangements. The performance helped solidify their status as a supergroup and marked a significant moment in their early career. However, their Woodstock set also highlighted some of the technical challenges faced by performers at the festival, with reports of out-of-tune guitars and organs due to the humid conditions. Despite these issues, CSNY's appearance at Woodstock remains a pivotal moment in rock history, capturing the band at the beginning of their collective journey.
6:00 A.M. - Paul Butterfield Blues Band
They showcased the band's high-energy blues-rock style and featured songs like "Everything's Gonna Be Alright," "Driftin'," "Born Under A Bad Sign," and "Love March". By this time, Butterfield was the only original member left in the band, but the new lineup included talented musicians such as Buzz Feiten on lead guitar and David Sanborn on saxophone. Despite the late hour and challenging conditions, the band's performance was well-received by the festival crowd. However, their Woodstock appearance didn't provide the career boost some other acts experienced, partly because they were not included in the original Woodstock film. The band's full set, consisting of seven songs, was eventually released in 2019 as part of the 50th anniversary Woodstock box set and later as a standalone vinyl album by Run Out Groove Records, allowing fans to finally experience their entire Woodstock performance.
7:30 A.M. - Sha Na Na
Known for their energetic renditions of 1950s rock and roll classics, the band captivated the audience with a vibrant performance that included hits like "Yakety Yak," "Jailhouse Rock," and "At the Hop." Their theatrical style, complete with greased hair and gold lamé suits, stood in stark contrast to many of the more serious acts at the festival, providing a fun and lighthearted atmosphere. Despite the challenges of performing at such an early hour, Sha Na Na's set was well-received, helping to introduce a new generation to the rock and roll music of the past. Their performance at Woodstock solidified their place in music history and showcased their unique ability to blend nostalgia with the contemporary counterculture of the late 1960s.
10:30 P.M. - Grateful Dead
Their Set was plagued by technical difficulties and timing issues, which definitely affected the Crowd's reception. Their set was significantly delayed, finishing near midnight, due to Electrical problems with the Sound System that were complicated because of the Rain. The band's insistence on fixing the stage's electrical ground and their heavy equipment damaging the festival's "turntable" stage contributed to the delay. Once they began playing, there were long breaks between songs, disrupting the flow of their performance.
The Grateful Dead's style, known for extended improvisations and lengthy compositions, may not have been ideal for the late-night timeslot and the tired audience... the overall Crowd response seems to have been mixed.
This if finally the end of Day 2 and I can see many in the Crowd bedding down... what a Day, indeed.
If you are genuinely interested in my perspective on the Event, please hit the "Like" button to let me know. I will then send you the link to the post. This is not a requirement; it is solely for Friends of William W. Nelson who are truly curious about:
How I got to Woodstock
What I experienced while I was there
My personal feelings about the Festival and its significance in the evolution of Rock Music
Below is a list of key paradigm shifts that occurred before Woodstock, which contributed to the evolution of Rock 'n' Roll and the numerous Spin-offs influenced by certain Musicians and Bands Sounds:
Ike Turner's "Rocket 88" (1951) is often considered one of the first rock songs.
Chuck Berry and his Contemporaries who are recognized as the modern "Fathers of Rock Music" in the early '50s.
Elvis Presley – His Blues Rock Sounds captivated a massive following and established him as a Cultural Icon.
The "British Invasion" – Sparked by The Beatles' appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964, attracting 73 million viewers for the first performance... and only 70 million for the next.
The evolution of the Electric Guitar – Innovations in Guitar technology allowed Musicians to explore new Sounds and Styles.
Woodstock '69 – The Festival marked a significant increase in new Artists aiming for success, with a notable shift in Music Styles from Pop to a Fusion of Blues and jazz beginning in about 1963. By 1969, numerous Bands were at the forefront, and by 1970, the list of Rock Bands and their Spin-offs reached 100.
The impact of Woodstock '69 on this growth is debatable, but I strongly believe it ignited a powerful movement in Rock Music, which we will discuss further in my "Inner Circle" soon.
To that end, if you want to get involved with Members of our Community who want to learn about the intricacies of how things evolved and "Have a Say" about it... then start by joining me and make Comments on My Take, especially if some of you were there... Rock On ♪♪♪
