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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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.
