Woodstock: The Legendary Music Festival

## Introduction

Woodstock was a three-day music festival held on August 15-18, 1969, on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York. The festival was organized by Michael Lang, Artie Kornfeld, Joel Rosenman, and John Roberts, and was billed as “An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music.”

Woodstock was one of the most iconic events of the 1960s, and it has been credited with helping to define a generation. The festival featured performances by some of the biggest names in rock and folk music, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, and Santana.

## The Lineup

The Woodstock lineup was a who’s who of rock and folk music. The festival featured performances by:

* Joan Baez
* Country Joe and the Fish
* Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
* Grateful Dead
* Jefferson Airplane
* Jimi Hendrix
* Janis Joplin
* Joe Cocker
* The Band
* Santana
* The Who
* Sly and the Family Stone

## The Crowd

Woodstock attracted an estimated 400,000 people, making it one of the largest music festivals in history. The crowd was a mix of hippies, peace activists, and music lovers. The festival was also attended by a number of celebrities, including Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, and Arlo Guthrie.

## The Music

The music at Woodstock was as legendary as the festival itself. Jimi Hendrix’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” was one of the most iconic moments in rock and roll history. Janis Joplin’s performance of “Piece of My Heart” was equally unforgettable. Other highlights included Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s performance of “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” and The Who’s performance of “My Generation.”

## The Legacy

Woodstock has been credited with helping to define a generation. The festival was a celebration of peace, love, and music, and it helped to create a sense of community among the young people who attended. Woodstock also had a significant impact on the music industry, as it helped to launch the careers of a number of new artists.

The festival has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films. In 1994, a 25th anniversary celebration was held in Bethel, New York. In 2019, a 50th anniversary celebration was held at the original Woodstock site.

## Conclusion

Woodstock was one of the most important cultural events of the 20th century. The festival was a celebration of peace, love, and music, and it helped to define a generation. Woodstock’s legacy continues to inspire people today, and it remains one of the most iconic music festivals in history.