The Thirty-Two Musical Acts That Graced the Stage at Woodstock
The Woodstock Music and Art Festival, held from August 15-18, 1969, in Bethel, New York, was a landmark event in the history of rock music and counterculture. The festival brought together a diverse array of iconic rock, folk, blues, and psychedelic bands, creating a multi-day lineup that would forever be remembered as a symbol of the era.
Jimi Hendrix closed the festival with a legendary set, including his famous psychedelic rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Who also made a significant impact, performing many songs, notably “See Me, Feel Me.” Folk and rock artists like Joan Baez and Janis Joplin contributed to the festival's diverse sound.
Sly and the Family Stone, one of the first racially integrated bands, combined soul, funk, and psychedelia in its music. They performed an 11-song set at Woodstock, which included "Tears of Rage," "Long Black Veil," and "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever."
Country Joe and The Fish took the stage after a rain delay, performing four songs, including "Rock and Soul Music" and "Love Machine." Creedence Clearwater Revival, who formed in the San Francisco Bay area in 1959 and peaked in early 1969, performed an 11-song set that included "Bad Moon Rising" and "Proud Mary."
Janis Joplin made a huge impact on rock music with four albums and memorable performances. At Woodstock, she gave a spirited execution of 10 songs, including "To Love Somebody," "Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)," and "Piece of My Heart," starting around 2 a.m.
Sha Na Na, a group that covered doo-wop songs from the 1950s while clowning around in period outfits, performed nine songs at Woodstock. Ten Years After performed five songs, including "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl," "Help Me," and "I'm Going Home."
Blood, Sweat and Tears were still riding high from their 1969 Grammy win for Album of the Year for their self-titled sophomore album. Their 24-song set began around 5 a.m. Sunday morning and included many songs from Tommy as well as "I Can't Explain," "Shakin' All Over" and "My Generation."
Joe Cocker took the stage around 2 p.m. and performed five songs, including his version of The Beatles' song "With a Little Help from My Friends." Johnny Winter performed nine songs at Woodstock, including "Johnny B. Goode," "I Can't Stand It" and "Tobacco Road."
Sadly, Sly Stone's drug use reportedly brought Sly and the Family Stone down. Hendrix was found dead in London on Sept. 18, 1970, due to asphyxiation on his own vomit following an overdose of sleeping pills.
Many of the performers from Woodstock, including Sly and the Family Stone, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Sha Na Na decided to stop touring after several decades.
Woodstock remains a symbol of the spirit and energy of the 1960s, a testament to the power of music to bring people together and inspire change.
[1] Woodstock: Three Days that Rocked the World, Michael Lang and Steve Barnes, 2009. [2] Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child, Steven Roby, 2001. [3] No Rain, No Rose: The Story of Woodstock, Michael Lang, 2009. [4] The Who: Maximum R&B, Richard Barnes, 2006. [5] Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy, Harry Shapiro, 2006.
[1] The eclectic mix of music at Woodstock, which encompassed rock, folk, blues, psychedelic, soul, funk, and even a bit of pop-culture, symbolized the pop-culture revolution of the 1960s.
[2] Additionally, the convergence of entertainment giants, such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Sly and the Family Stone, and Janis Joplin, in the realm of sci-fi-and-fantasy music performances, significantly marked the Woodstock Music and Art Festival.
