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| Woodstock poster. Found on Wikimedia Commons. |
It has been 49 years since the Woodstock Music & Art
Fair took place on the grounds of Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel, NY. For four
days starting August 15, 1969, more than 30 bands and fans gathered together to
connect on a greater level through music. The result became one of the most
iconic shows in music history, exemplifying the “peace and love” vibes of the
1960s counterculture. And though many a festival has tried to replicate its success
and vibe, few have come close.
Of course, within the bounds of the mud-soaked fields, Woodstock
had its fair share of iconic performances. From artists who already had a huge
following to artists who made their first big impact on that stage, these are
the sets that helped make the festival what it was.
In honor of the festival’s 49th anniversary,
Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look back at some of the
most iconic performances from the original Woodstock festival. Here are six
that left an impact on music forever.
1.
Richie Havens: The first artist to grace the
Woodstock stage, Richie Havens’ nearly three-hour performance was one of the
highlights of the entire festival. And it wasn’t even his main set list that
got him there. According to the Woodstock website, his improvised performance
of “Motherless Child,” which he later recorded as “Freedom,” during the final
of his many encores stole the show. Havens career would become so entwined with
the festival that upon his passing in 2013 his ashes were scattered at the
original site.
2.
Santana:
Another band that was taken from virtual unknown to overnight sensation by the
festival was Santana. Now one of the best-selling bands of all time, the
Latin-rock band had just released their debut album that month. But festival
goers loved it and their local following became a global one with their song “Soul
Sacrifice” becoming a hit.
3.
Joe
Cocker: A virtual unknown when he hit the Woodstock Stage, Joe Cocker owes
his success to the festival. His gritty, soulful performance of the Beatles’ “With
A Little Help From My Friends” became his signature hit and his performance of
it the break-out moment of his career.
4.
Crosby,
Stills, Nash & Young: Woodstock helped introduce the world to the
collective known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Though they had each been
performing for years, this was the second time David
Crosby, Stephen
Stills, Graham
Nash and Neil
Young performed on stage together. Young didn’t play the entire set,
electing only to play during the electronic portion and the encore.
5.
Sly
& the Family Stone: Coming at the height of their career, Sly & the
Family Stone’s performance at the festival has been credited as one of the band’s
best. Despite the early hour that they performed, Ultimate Classic
Rock described it as “a bit sloppy, but the blurry-eyed delivery digs into
the dirty, nasty pull of the music.”
6.
Jimi
Hendrix: The final artist to play on what became the fourth day (rain
delays had him playing at 9 AM on the 18th) of the festival, Hendrix
had what became the single-most iconic moment of the entire weekend. Towards
the end of his set, the guitarist broke-out into a noodle-y and buzzed-out rendition
of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” His guitar work was said to have emulated the
feel of bombs dropping and machine guns firing, an impassioned addition to the
patriotism of our national anthem.
The Woodstock Music & Art Fair has been one of the most
influential festivals in the history of music. Boasting many iconic
performances, it helped to launch the careers of many artists who would become
icons themselves, as well as served as an outlet for more well-known artists to
reach a new audience. With “Peace & Music” as its premise, the festival
defined the counterculture of the era, a shining example of what a little “peace
and love” could do.
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Find music from Woodstock’s iconic performers and more at
Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands
of titles in a variety of genres to choose from. Browse our wide selection of
new and used vinyl records, CD, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store
at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being
added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at
Vinyl Bay 777.
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