Woodstock

[toolab]

Hey, anybody remember being at Woodstock 69? I traveled from San Antonio, TX with my brother who had just gotten back from Nam. He and a couple of Army buddies had bought tickets at San Fransico during their lay-over before being discharged and invited me to go with him. I was only 14 at the time and it was the most spiritual experience I have ever been a part of. We got there two days before the event and helped with last minute details such as clearing the land, setting up the perimeter fencing, and getting high. I met a young girl from somewhere in Ohio (don't even remember her name) but she introduced me to making love and thinking about the gentler things in life. She will forever remain in my heart and I sure wish I could remember her name ( I think it was Vivian), but I do remember what she looked like. She was beautiful with a big smile and the bluest eyes I had ever seen. She had long blonde hair and a great body. But it was her beautiful personality that struck this 14 year old. We clapped to the soulful sounds of Janis, the thunderous rumble of The Who, the message of love from CSNY, and the searing guitar of Jimi. It was the best five days of my entire life and I'll never forget Woodstock.

[MushroomDreams]

Please tell more! Any details that you can remember to help color a better picture of what it was like. What it smelled like, that it felt like, any other people you can remember, what you and she were wearing? It's all good.
Thanks for sharing you story. :sunglasse

[toolab]

Let's see what else do I remember about Woodstock. I remember that we parked about three miles from the site as opposed to ten or more miles for all the groovy people who arrived on opening day! They were still working on the stage when Richie Havens began playing and there was a thunderous roar from the crowd when he actually came on stage. The first day was one long big hit as performer after performer played to standing ovations and good vibes. The second day I believe is when the rains came and it was a little miserable at first, but everyone soon chilled out and we all had one big mud party! When we arrived at Bethel, the townsfolk were so friendly and helpful. It was like they knew that this was going to be a big event, bigger than anyone could imagine, and they just were so cool about the whole thing. And the kids were just wonderful. I met so many good people there that even though I was only 14 at the time, I was not treated like a snot nosed kid. It was always, "Hey, little brother, need a smoke or some coke". And this from total strangers who were willing to share their drugs, food, or just good companionship. Being Hispanic, I did not experience any discrimination or prejudice, I was just one of the beautiful people who came to have a good time. The most prevalent smell, of course, was the smell of pot everywhere. You couldn't help but be surrounded by it and the grass was good, let me tell you. It was shared by all and it didn't matter if you had any or not, somehow, someway you were going to get high. Acid was also given out freely but I didn't partake in any because I was a little scared, besides, the wonderful girl I met was enough of a high for me. And the music was just fantastic. I don't think there will ever be another event when so many bands and people came together for "three days of fun and music, and nothing but fun and music". Well, that's all I remember for now. Take care and peace, man. Oh, one other thing before I forget. She was wearing cutoff jeans that showed her beautiful long legs very nicely, a headband with flowers, and a jean jacket with THE WHO (she was a big Who Fan) written on the back and I was wearing bell bottom jeans and my brother's Army shirt with his medals on it.

ALI

[Spoonybard]

Recently I came across an awesome website on the original Woodstock, it's over at http://woodstock69.com. A ton of great pictures, with a HUGE amount of information. Just click "begin your journey" and you're off.

[toolab]

Thanks for the info.

[LittleHippy]

Man Toolab, that was one of the best descriptions of Woodstock i have ever heard. You, if possible, made woodstock sound even better to me. Man i wish i wouldve been there. But o well, i guess ill hafta get over it lol. And thanks for sharing your experience.


Peace,
LittleHippy

[toolab]

Hey, Little Hippy. Glad you liked my descriptive experience at Woodstock. It was a great party and one of the most spiritual events I have ever been a part of. What I liked the most was the feeling that we were all brothers and sisters and everyone just took care of one another. Music was in air all around you. If you went back to the campsites or near the lake area, there were people with guitars, drums, and makeshift instruments (empty cans, sticks, whatever) just jamming out, and you could join in and nobody would mind. I didn't come across anyone who wanted to take advantage of you or cheat you out of anything. It was like someone said over the PA system "We must be in heaven, man!" I'll never forget it, but time does seem to fade the memory a bit. Keep in touch, Little Hippy and we'll talk some more.

Peace, Love and Happiness,

ALI

[fylthevoyd]

Thanks dude for sharing your story.I remember the times well,even though I never made it out of my home town.A buddy and me were picked up on the hi-way by the police and delivered to our parents.So needless to say,I never made it and had to dream about it through the evening news reports.I think my dad now days feels kind of sorry that he stopped me from going,since I have never changed my ways from those days.

Thanks for the picture you placed in my head,for a beautiful time that has been lost,with the exception of memories.

[MushroomDreams]

Earlier that summer (‘69) the Newport Pop Festival took place in Southern California. It wasn’t as big as Woodstock but it was beautiful. I remember being in the midst of a sea of people- as far as I could see.

Everyone was cool and we shared everything. I didn’t bring any drugs with me but I didn’t need to. It was all being passed around. I just had to sit there and every few minutes someone would pass a joint to me.

A bottle of wine came my way and I had a sip. About a half hour later I started coming on strong to some Acid that was in the wine. It was my first of many acid trips and it changed my life.

I had to go to the bathroom so I walked back to where the portasans were lined up. The lines were extremely long so this one guy walked out in front of everyone and said, “If you guys aren’t taking a shit, we can double and triple up and make this go a lot faster.”

It seemed like a good idea so we all just did it. We were all laughing and peeing at the same time.

There were some people trying to jump the fence in back. The pigs were there and arrested a few of them. Some news cameras were there and that incident was on the news that evening. If they would have turned their cameras around they would have seen over 200,000 people peacefully enjoying the concert. I guess that’s not what they were looking for.

Hendrix was over an hour late but he was worth the wait.

[Veritas]

I wish i was there.

[dylanzeppelin]

just reading all of these stories, makes me wish to have taken part into something as amazing as the times in the 60s. nowadays, it's impossible for anything to happen that was memorable and peaceful as the festivals in the 60s. one of the many many reasons i wish i lived in the 60s, but what can you do.. thanks for the share of stories, its amazing.. peace

[Just4laughs]

Well you know I have to disagree just a little. Last years Toronto Rocks was a great event that was memorable, peaceful and was for a good cause and I think it was the largest concert since Woodstock.

[slowed_reactions]

woodstock 69..man i wish i was there. haha just born 20 years to late..oh well i can still enjoy the music anytime i want. i bet woodstock would have been great, heard so many stories that i would have loved to be a part of!

[Beatle Kat]

Yeah,Woodstock!!My biggest dream would be to be there!!:D

[Flowerian]

Wow, really impressing... I'd give everything to travel back in time to experience it :(

@toolab: I'm from Germany and I have to write a thing called "Facharbeit" for school, a work of about 20 pages about a topic of your choice in a subject of your choice.. I took English as subject and "The HIppie Movement" as a topic, and now I'm looking for, hm, "interview" partners who can give me information.. you seem to be perfect, would you perhaps like to talk to me a little bit about it and answer some questions? I'd be incredibly happy :) Please contact me via PM, ICQ, email or whatever you like :)


btw. here in Germany it's 23:27 at the moment... only half an our until the 35th birthday of Woodstock!

[toolab]

To Flowerian,

I am sending you an email and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Sorry, it took me so long to repsond but I just got back from a much needed vacation. Everybody is welcome to pick my brain for memories about the turbulent sixties. I wish all of you could experience it just for one day, but it is possible to sit back, enjoy some good smoke, listen to some good sixties rock, and tune in!!

Rock On!!

ALI

[ElChivato]

omg, man! if i could have just one wish it would be to have been at woodstock '69. but i was born way too late to be able to have enjoyed all that. it all just sounds like it would be the best time! i really do appreciate all the stories. it's the closest thing i have to actually being there, i guess.

[roygbivp]

I wish i was there.



i second that wishing.... :(
oh well...we can follow derek trucks...
but woodstock would be so much cooler
i hate it how some parents are like "you wouldnt last in the 60's, you would hate it..."
my theory is, would die happy seeing all those bands in the 60's....now all i have is a memory...

R.I.P JANIS JERRY JIMI JIM SRV ALLMAN

[littlewing88]

Hell yeah man...I wish I was at woodstock too man. That would have been just the most far-out thing ever. Too bad I wasn't alive yet. It's a total bummer.

[Hari]

I was 19 in 1969, and arrived in the village with two friends from Connecticut who could not stop talking about the village(Greenwhich village) so I said ,"let's move there" it was sunday feb 22 1969
and I was wasn't prepared for what I saw.(we packed up as soon as I said that)
Needless to say, having arrived at such a place, I could not be dragged out of there to spend a weekend in the country. At the time no one thought this would get the fame it has gotten.

[rainbowkid]

Thats a really groovy story. The only Woodstock '69 experiences I have, is a T-shirt and a DVD. Its nice to read a cool story of someone who not only went to Woodstock but helped at Woodstock as well.



"When the rich wage war,
It's the poor who die."


- Jean - Paul Sartre.

[toolab]

The legacy of Woodstock is that everybody was there, as long as the hippie spirit resides inside of you, the Woodsock spirit is there alive and well. I know its not the same as actually being there but just use your imagination and you'll travel back to that era and hear all the great bands and see all the groovy people. On the last day of the festival, there were only about 30,000 to 50,000 people left, but we got to hear Jimi close it out with a bang. The day was a little overcast and my girlfriend for the weekend had already left on the preceeding night. We said our good-byes as we sat by the lake, our feet immersed to the ankles in the water, and I distinctly remember hearing her heart pounding so hard that I thought it would burst through her chest. It was a bittersweet moment as we kissed for the last time, knowing in all likelihood that we would never see each other again. I held her tight that night and thought how wonderful it would be if this lasted forever. But nothing lasts forever and all we have are memories of past glories and good times. So all of you that wish you were there, well you were. Just search your hearts and the spirit of Woodstock is there forever. Peace to all, my brothers and sisters.

ALI

[peacelovebarefeet]

man... woodstock seems like such a... freeeee place, I mean, where else can a BUNCH of people get together and PARTY.. and its all for the music... wow i would have love to be there, but since im only 16 now, im a bit too young! LOL..

but hey... as tooltab says we all have the spirit of woodstock in us... im am sure as hell greatful to have that!

the thing that has come closest to being a woodstock to me is schwagstock.. wonderful place, wonderful people... if you wanna experience a WONDERFUL FREE PEACEFUL TIME.. go.. info at www.theschwag.com (http://www.theschwag.com)

peacelovebarefeet

[toolab]

My prayers are for that camerman that just died as reported by BLACKIE. I hope he is in rock-n-roll heaven listening to Jimi, Janis, Jim, Ritchie, Buddy, and all the other rock greats that have passed on. Its sad whenever we lose a close friend of the original Woodstock Generation. One day there won't be any of us left, but our legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of the younger kids who have the Woodstock Spirit in them. Peace to you my young brothers and sisters and remember that there will always be the music that keeps Woodstock from fading into the past.


Peace, Love, and Happiness

ALI

[Goldilocks]

*

[jivre]

In the same time


http://www.untitled-document.org/funnybone/john%20kerry%20vietnam.jpg

[Luke (crazy horse)]

Is that John Kerry back in the day??

[flowerchild89]

i would give ANYTHING to have been at the original woodstock.

[KasabianRulesMan!]

A friend told me that The Jeff Beck Group was in the Programm of the festival but they just split up 10 days before the festival took place!

It hurts me...i like a lot this band 'cause at that time The Jeff Beck Group line up was :

JEFF BECK on guitar (ex-Yardbirds)
RON WOOD on bass : (ex-Birds(uk) ex-Creation and the same years he join as guitarist The Faces then in the mid-70's The Rolling Stones)
ROD STEWART on vox : (the same yars he join the Faces)
NICKY HOPKINS on piano: one of the best rock'n roll piano player of the era playin as a sixth member on the classic Rolling Stones albums of the era and join soon after the Jefferson Airplane for their last classic LP Volunteers then in 1970 he join The Quicksilver Messenger Service for 2 albums.

that was a great line-up...the Jeff Beck Group was with Cream one of the Led Zeppelin mean influences ...

a can only dream of it ...those guys playin' at Woodstock...oh shit why they don't wait just 2 more weeks to split up!

[KasabianRulesMan!]

Earlier that summer (‘69) the Newport Pop Festival took place in Southern California. It wasn’t as big as Woodstock but it was beautiful. I remember being in the midst of a sea of people- as far as I could see.

Everyone was cool and we shared everything. I didn’t bring any drugs with me but I didn’t need to. It was all being passed around. I just had to sit there and every few minutes someone would pass a joint to me.

A bottle of wine came my way and I had a sip. About a half hour later I started coming on strong to some Acid that was in the wine. It was my first of many acid trips and it changed my life.

I had to go to the bathroom so I walked back to where the portasans were lined up. The lines were extremely long so this one guy walked out in front of everyone and said, “If you guys aren’t taking a shit, we can double and triple up and make this go a lot faster.”

It seemed like a good idea so we all just did it. We were all laughing and peeing at the same time.

There were some people trying to jump the fence in back. The pigs were there and arrested a few of them. Some news cameras were there and that incident was on the news that evening. If they would have turned their cameras around they would have seen over 200,000 people peacefully enjoying the concert. I guess that’s not what they were looking for.

Hendrix was over an hour late but he was worth the wait.

Thank you for writin'bout your experience. I always think about the others festival of the era ...Some were giant one ...
There's one DVD and it's always woodstock...so i'm one of the only one there(i'm sure not) to think about the other great festival of the era (67-74)...
I'm searchin' movies and all kind of pictures of it...there's probably some movies of those event somewhere...
Those TV with their videos that you talk about had nothing to do but film little disorder in a funny and lovely place...why do they don't use it to film the deep meaning of this giant reunion to film the pure reality and the strange musical shows?...those were the days...and it looks as it was just yesterday...
Thank you to your mail...i can imagine it with your words thanx man

sorry for my average english

[8footsativa_chik]

I wish all big concerts and festivals were like that. It seems that all that looking after eachother and treating eachother like brothers and sisters is lost amoung the people who are my age and the people of today, well most of them anyway. It so disapointing and sad. People these days wouldnt give you a bud or some food without you giving them something in return. although you do meet the odd very nice person who is very nice indeed.

One thing i wana ask is, did the bands get paid for plaiying at woodstock? or did some of the bands play voluntarily?

[HippieFlowerGirl67]

That sounded like a groovy time! I'd give anything to be back then and go to Woodstock! Did anyone happen to see John Densmore there? He said in his book he went with his gf I think....

[SillyLidlSkull]

HEY,
kinda of curious in knowing if you get to ear Janis JOPLIN singing,
shouting her emotions and energy out her lungs,live!?
CIAO/

[Sedge]

Hey did you know apparently Zeppelin were offered a place but they turned it down.

[flowerchild89]

HEY,
kinda of curious in knowing if you get to ear Janis JOPLIN singing,
shouting her emotions and energy out her lungs,live!?
CIAO/I can only IMAGINE what it would have been like to see her live...wow...

[Bilby]

Hey what happened to the baby that was born a Woodstock? Did (s)he do anything special with his/her life?

[Hippievixen]

I envy all ya'll Woodstockers. The closest I've been to that is camping out in Austin on Lake Travis in Austin with a big group of friends and musicians. I can't imagine the brotherhood of so many!

[Erunhere]

Jezz... I wish I could have been there... hehe... not even a chance... I wasn't even thare... anyway my father had a hriend that wanted to commit suicide cuz hi didn't go... well it was imposible for him cuz in romania in those times it was impossible to find out about an event I mean he found out about woodstock after an year and a half or so... well he quit commiting suicide at last but he is still frustraded...
In romania we have the stufstock festival but it really sux... and it sux so so much... I men they even invited a rap band this year (yuck).
Still the greatest festeval where I went wes rock in my heart... i mean there were Carl Palmer, Dave from Jetro Tull... u get the ideea...

[rory]

One thing i wana ask is, did the bands get paid for plaiying at woodstock? or did some of the bands play voluntarily?[/QUOTE]
As far as i'm aware, the bands were all paid around double or triple the going rate for a normal gig, the big guys i believe were getting around 8-10,000 dollars/pounds (not sure which but it does tell you on the dvd)

[RainbowCat]

sounds really nice. it woulda been cool t obe there, but i definetly am not obsessed about the whole thing. there's alot of people that still try to get events like that happen again. i hardly ever get offered to smoke

[gnarkill_chik]

...woodstock...i mean one word....that is in history and if i had anything to say about it...i wish i was there to experience the love..peace..how music inspired everything and everyone...i wouldnt mind seeing the black militaries...and i would be protesting if i lived back then....music is my only way out of life...that makes everything better again...:D....i mean music changed people's views about the war back then....and it would be bad a$$ if music did the same thing it did in the 60's...:)

[Hippievixen]

i don't know if the bands got paid. they should have done that for free!

in the modeling world, cover girls are compensated very little due to the amount of exposure they get from a cover shot.

[purple grass]

a lot of my family went to woodstock 69'.

i went to woodstock 99', but i've been told that nothing can compare to 69'. i totally agree, without even being there.

[flowerchild89]

Hey what happened to the baby that was born a Woodstock? Did (s)he do anything special with his/her life?There were a few babies born at Woodstock, I talked to one of them one time.

[al_from_mn]

My mom lived in New York at the time and was on her way to woodstock (69), but they closed the thruway because of the insane amount of people, and so she never got there :(

Alex

[rainbowkid]

Woodstock would have been an amazing experience for anyone who had gone.
I would have loved to have seen
Jefferson Airplane
The beautiful Janis Joplin
The Who
John Sebastian
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
And many more
Has anyone seen he movie?

[al_from_mn]

Has anyone seen he movie?
YES!! If you haven't seen it yet, you should watch it. Make it a new years resolution :rolleyes:

Alex

[Arachne]

being as young as i am, and hearing about the amazing energy at woodstock, i can only hope that sometime my generation and others to come will be fortunate enough to experience the unity and happiness that yours did.

thanks so much for sharing your memory

[The Sandreckoner]

There were a few babies born at Woodstock, I talked to one of them one time.My Dad was a medical student at the time, he delivered some of them. His pinto was near the stage, and the trunk thereof was one of the few dry places around. So why was his pinto close to the stage? On the first day they established a section of the field as parking, and another as the concert area. Then it started raining and they switched the two areas so that the cars could be on the more solid ground, while it didn't matter if the stages sank into the mud, they were easier to dig out. My dad's Pinto never got out of the mud. To his knowledge, it's still there. You can see part of it on the cover of an album by a band who was there, I forget who it was.

[blindmelon__]

My Dad was a medical student at the time, he delivered some of them. His pinto was near the stage, and the trunk thereof was one of the few dry places around. So why was his pinto close to the stage? On the first day they established a section of the field as parking, and another as the concert area. Then it started raining and they switched the two areas so that the cars could be on the more solid ground, while it didn't matter if the stages sank into the mud, they were easier to dig out. My dad's Pinto never got out of the mud. To his knowledge, it's still there. You can see part of it on the cover of an album by a band who was there, I forget who it was.
That is so amasing, can you imagine having that frammed in your house. The festival, like this thread seems to be, full of awsome intentions and good feelings. Like it was said, you wouldnt of needed drugs to get high in such a wonderful place. If there is a heaven, it would have to same feeling, a heavenly brotherhood of man, state of mind in each of us... Make on think of Imagine, doesnt it?

[shroom_tree]

wow im amazed at the story thanks alot for sharing it !!