On
the 15th, 16th and the 17th of August, 1969, a hoard of artists came together
and created something so revolutionary; that generations after wished to experience. The Woodstock Arts Festival took place on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York.
During the festival, an overwhelming crowd of 500,000 people came down to the
grounds resulting in the taking down of fences and free admission for the “three
days of peace and music.”
Artists
like the legendary Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Santana, Joe Cocker, The
Grateful Dead, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Creedance Clearwater Revival and
many more were present to make this event the single most profound event in
music history.
It
is argued that, the concerts were in fact poorly managed, considering the rains
and the sheer number of people who came down for Woodstock. The crowds were
either fighting or getting drunk or indulging in drugs, not to mention public
sex, filth and mud.
But
keeping aside all of this, the idea of Woodstock was way ahead of its time. It entailed
art, music, alternative living arrangements, different religions, the breaking
down of racial barriers, freedom, philosophy, spirituality, and so much more. This
historic event resulted in a counterculture that changed the thought process of
the generations to come.
In
Conclusion, Max Yasgur stated at the end of the festival, “you people have
proven something to the world… half a million kids can just get together and
have three days of just fun and music… peace!” Indeed, he was right, and through
the festival the potential for peaceful co-existence in mankind was finally seen
as a possibility.
The following is a clipping of the WVOS Woodstock Coverage 1969 by Harry Borwick
Hi dear,
ReplyDeleteCarry on with your great works Maalu.
Waiting to read more from you .
regards,
Veliamma.