Woodstock '69 - A 40 Year Voyage

J. Crawford · #1 04-14-2009, 03:10 PM

August 15th marks the first day of the Woodstock Festival of '69. This concert has been one of the most influential, if not the most, and still (I believe), the largest concert in history. Some of us may have been there to spread the love, but others, like myself, just are happy enough to know of such an event.

I need not say anymore details, because it is something that should be known to all. This was a day that changed history forever, a day that may have directly influenced us all being here on TB.

Just a friendly reminder to keep rockin, loving, and being the humans they would have wanted us to be.

DudeistMonk · #2 04-14-2009, 03:32 PM

Sweet! I need to check the history channel for any 60's specials that might be airing.

I wish I was alive back then...it would have totally been my scene.

J. Crawford · #3 04-14-2009, 03:52 PM

I agree. Its one thing I dont like about my era, the 90's kids, we got stuck with Fall Out Boy and Blink 182 while everyone else got jimi and JPJ.

Not fair!

I made a Powerpoint in 8th grade about Woodstock. Best project I have ever done. It was worth like 15 points, but I spend about 10 hours working on it. Definitely worth it.

warwick.hoy · #4 04-14-2009, 03:55 PM

Unfortunately the latest two will go down in history as monuments to commercialism, debauchery, aggression and rape (thanks to Fred Durst).

[/debbiedowner]

J. Crawford · #5 04-14-2009, 03:57 PM

Youre right Warwick, you are. They were completely unneeded, useless festivals that just caused trouble and remorse.

But like most things, the bad things have to be outweighed by the good, and I think '69 does the job well.

etoncrow · #6 04-14-2009, 04:00 PM

Believe me; if you were there you probably would not remember being there. But I do remember that it started on August 15 and ran to August 18, 1969. So, unless my dementia is acting up again April 15th had nothing to do with it.

J. Crawford · #7 04-14-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etoncrow

Believe me; if you were there you probably would not remember being there. But I do remember that it started on August 15 and ran to August 18, 1969. So, unless my dementia is acting up again April 15th had nothing to do with it.

Eton, your post confuses me. You say it started on the 15th, which it did, but then say the 15th has nothing to do with it.

ForestThump · #8 04-14-2009, 04:11 PM

I'll second etoncrow. It was the Summer of Love not the Spring of Love.
I was stuck in traffic in a bus returning from boy scout camp in upstate N.Y when it was letting out. I remember that our scoutmaster had James Brown's "Sex Machine" blasting on an 8 track cassette non-stop as me and my cohorts were glued to the windows watching the hippies staggering onto the road.
Most of us wished we were a few years older and could have gone to the festival.

iamlowsound · #9 04-14-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordasch

Eton, your post confuses me. You say it started on the 15th, which it did, but then say the 15th has nothing to do with it.

Because it was in AUGUST, not APRIL.

lowsound

J. Crawford · #10 04-14-2009, 04:17 PM

Oh.. wait. I was reading my dads Guitar Player and I swear it says tomorrow.

Wow guys, I feel so ignorant. I knew this, and I totally messed it up. Man.. What an idiot.

Wow, I feel like such an idiot. Ill change my OP to the correct dates, sorry for the inconvenience guys.

kesslari · #11 04-14-2009, 04:25 PM

Nah, getting minor details like the date wrong is absolutely in the original spirit of Woodstock. Celebrate it anyway!!

Pilgrim · #12 04-14-2009, 04:26 PM

I was around (but not present) at the first one. The press coverage it received nationally was impressive.

The MOVIE was fantastic. The way they printed it with multiple images and other innovative visual techniques was something I had never seen before. I regard it as one of the best documentaries ever made.

And if you don't have the original soundtrack, you should. The Woodstock II soundtrack didn't impress me, but the first one is fantastic.

Among other things in the soundtrack is Steven Stills (of CSN&Y) confessing that "...this is the first time we've ever played together in front of an audience....we're scares s**tless!"

J. Crawford · #13 04-14-2009, 04:29 PM

I am sincerely sorry guys, I am. I dont like making mistakes, and that was a totally ignorant one.

I am a very proud endorser of the ways of Woodstock, other than anything mind altering.

Deluge Of Sound · #14 04-14-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordasch

I am a very proud endorser of the ways of Woodstock, other than anything mind altering.

Tye-Dye?

J. Crawford · #15 04-14-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

Tye-Dye?

Who isnt, really?

Deluge Of Sound · #16 04-14-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordasch

Who isnt, really?

Fair point, but I feel like drug use was such an important part of the music of that festival that the two are very intertwined. Watch Joe Cocker on the DVD, or read that interview where Santana played his absolutely amazing set at the peak of an acid trip, and you realize that this incredible music (Santana's set especially) was totally drug-induced. The man can play, the songs are great, but those solos are otherworldly, and totally drug-induced.

J. Crawford · #17 04-14-2009, 07:31 PM

Oh, I believe it. Completely. But that doesnt mean that drugs have to be used to a Woodstock buff, or fan. Other than my EPIC TIME FAIL!, I know a fair share about Woodstock.

How many people died there, and how?
How many people were expected to be there, but how many showed up?
How much did they rent the land for, and how much did the promoters pay neighboring homes?

I know some things, but I wasnt there, nor have I ever taken drugs.

[/rant]

Kyon` · #18 04-14-2009, 07:58 PM

You know, while I was never at woodstock I don't believe I've actually been to a music festival I've enjoyed. I hear all these great stories about 69 and just images of Hendrix's guitar face, breaking sun on The Who, or Santana and his group(which was my favorite video taped performance I saw). I'm sure there are plenty great festivals out there but I just didn't enjoy the ones I want to or the price, and the words of the las t two Woodstocks seem to only outline the general trends in popular music. As stated above the first thing I think of when you mention later woodstocks are the crimes committed, especially the rapes being friends with the brother of one of the girls there. Sad for her to have to say luckily she was only groped a few times. Sorry just a little rant...

dangnewt · #19 04-14-2009, 08:04 PM

I know a bunch of people who went (I was only nine and baseball was my passion that summer). What is interesting is that since they are all 10-15 years older than me they tended to be my bosses or the peers of my bosses.

My current sax player drove up from Philly and somehow avoided the big traffic jam and ended up on the stage side of the venue and walked right in with no problem. The press guy where I used to work went. A few of my supervisors from when I worked in NYC attended.

J. Crawford · #20 04-14-2009, 08:21 PM

Dream purchase: Unused, or even used Woodstock ticket, framed, and in my music room when Im older.