Are you one of those folks who believe they were meant to be born in a different time period? Honestly, with all its wonderful music and extraordinary fashion sense, I would have loved to have been alive during the ’60s. Scoring a Woodstock ticket in 1969 would have also been awesome. Even though five decades have passed since the Woodstock era ended, we can’t ignore that its legend continues. Take a look at these photos that make you wish you had been there back then.
You’ll Wish It Was 1969 After Seeing These Woodstock Photos
Chilling Out
You would’ve seen individuals resting in awkward positions and locations if you were fortunate enough to attend the festival. It was a completely outdoor festival, meaning that for its full period, participants camped out. Take a look at this guy who has found a perfect area between these two cars to doze off. While it doesn’t seem to be the safest place to sleep, it did not seem that the cowboy had an issue! He probably didn’t think the car would go anywhere, so what else is there to do but loosen up and relax a bit?
Chilling Out
The Challenge Of Getting There
To enter the festival, you’d have to join tens of thousands of others flocking to Bethel, New York. The highways seemed like parking garages! It’s not shocking that people just started walking. The roads closed down, meaning a few other people didn’t even get to the festival road. Arlo Guthrie stated, “The New York State Thruway is closed, man.” It managed to remain open at all times, though the local cops had to shut down the exit points of Harriman and Newburgh to stop more people from going to the Woodstock Festival.
The Challenge Of Getting There
The Legendary Jimi Hendrix
Festivalgoers had to queue three days before Jimi Hendrix went on stage. Without confusion, his Star-Spangled Banner version had become so iconic that many associate it with the festival. His group at Woodstock was a short term crew. That’s because, before the festival, the usual band broke up, so he decided to find people right away. That’s how he played with Gypsy Suns as well as Rainbows. Can you think they actually managed to play together for a packed audience?
The Legendary Jimi Hendrix
Janis Joplin Stayed
Janis Joplin was at Woodstock. She got her set for $7,500! Most people can remember her “Piece of My Heart” performance. She often belted many other songs, mostly during the second day. The whole group flew by helicopter into the venue. The other members recognize she tried to tell them to perform like every other gig. When the show finished, she stuck at Woodstock to enjoy the festival with the attendees!
Janis Joplin Stayed
A Surprise John Sebastian Set
John Sebastian’s Woodstock performance wasn’t planned, and it was still absolutely incredible. He ended up going there to witness the festival but did agree when the organizing committee asked him to be the acoustic guitar player. He began playing an unreleased track on top of two others.
A Surprise John Sebastian Set
Bigger Than They Thought
It was hard to come up with a venue that fitted the festival, and that could fit all expected guests. Initially, the plan was to hold it in the summer arts colony named Woodstock, a favorite of several musicians. The very first festival location was Wallkill, New York. When the locals discovered how big it would be, they voiced concerns. After that, they relocated the event to Bethel’s farmland. Even after the planning, they were not fully ready for the coming 400,000 attendees. They only knew 50,000 people! The festival surpassed expectations for both activity and guests. Governor Rockefeller considered sending aid to the National Guard for crowd management. Sullivan County even proclaimed an emergency!
Bigger Than They Thought
No Place For Discrimination
At Woodstock, discrimination had no position. Anybody can come regardless of ethnicity, gender, or age. Parents brought their children. This little one started to look enthusiastic about being in it! How cute is this? Young kids not only attended the festival, but some kids were also born there and then.
No Place For Discrimination
Sri Swami Satchidananda’s Speech
The highly regarded spiritual master, Sri Swami Satchidananda, jumpstarted the festival with a remarkable talk. There have been 400,000 individuals around just to hear him speak about the power and energy of audio that the multiverse is governed by, he said. It was greater than anything else in the globe, according to him.
Sri Swami Satchidananda’s Speech
The Place To Be
Some things that are representative of Woodstock are daisies, tie-dye clothes, and hippiedom, which so many deem as the major cultural event of the 1960s. It was merely the location to be. All the young teens wanted to spend more time, be free, and appreciate the incredible music with their friends and lovers. We had to acknowledge that today the prospect sounds is just as attractive as it did then!
The Place To Be
Buses And Caravans Aplenty
Littered throughout the festival grounds were caravans as well as abandoned buses. It represented the perfect escape from reality or the chance to enjoy a little confidentiality!
Buses And Caravans Aplenty
Shopping Galore
There have also been makeshift stores selling crafts, garments, and paraphernalia for drugs. The aural and visual fest that Woodstock had to offer was only boosted. At music concerts and festivals, most of these are common sights, of course. Several folks decided to leave with tie-dye shirts on their backs during the festival itself! They had nothing to worry about when people came without the need for a change of clothes.
Shopping Galore
Odd Sleeping Arrangements
It is only reasonable for the people attending to just get exhausted every once in a while, with all of the other individuals, music, and psychedelic drugs at their disposal. If all the hoods are taken from the car, perhaps a motorcycle? The odd sleeping spots would be another iconic Woodstock encounter!
Odd Sleeping Arrangements
Choose Your Own Adventure
Both “Gentle Path High Way” and “Groovy Way” sound appealing if you ask us. The latter makes people wonder about afros and bell-bottom jeans, while the former calls to mind pictures of the green countryside. Isn’t it awesome to think that the “Groovy Way” was achievable for participants to uncover?
Choose Your Own Adventure
The Birth Of Jam Sessions
The festival is considered by many people to be the origin of what we now know as the American drum circle. This applies to a set of individuals arriving together to play songs next to each other. Perhaps as a “jam session,” you know it better. Everybody was impacted by the music being played to develop their own music and make instruments with whatever they had. The participants were jammed with friends and strangers alike. Joining in on the entertainment and making amazing music together has been simple!
The Birth Of Jam Sessions
Setting Up The Sound System
The man in charge of sound engineering at Woodstock had been Bill Hanley. The festival was very successful, according to him. He developed custom columns of speakers and positioned arrays on the towers. The agreement was only intended to entertain 150,000 individuals. The audience that happened to come was, as we already know, much larger than they had thought previously. The sound system was nevertheless flawless.
Setting Up The Sound System
A Truly Unique Experience
Whenever you remember what it’s like to be in Woodstock, wouldn’t you feel a slight hint of jealousy? We are certain that all the participants consider it a great moment in their lives. What we’d offer to see these people wearing colorful clothes, bead necklaces, and a love celebration!
A Truly Unique Experience
Fun In The Sun
As mentioned before, many mothers and fathers have managed to bring their little ones along with them. They had such a ton of fun, apart from the songs, feeling the heat on their skin! It was not only for adults but also for children indeed. These young children must have enjoyed wandering around the place, hearing good and loud music.
Fun In The Sun
Families Celebrating Peace, Love, Music
This dad was probably the coolest parent anybody has ever had! We bet you’ve never been carried to concerts and festivals by your father or even let you hop on psychedelic school buses. In the meantime, the family agreed it was nice to have a break from the activities and enjoy a bite to eat. Look at them laying down on the sleeping bags on this grassy field as well as gulping down 7 up.
Families Celebrating Peace, Love, Music
Latin Rock At Woodstock
Latin Rock was brought to the festival by Carlos Santana and his band. They were adored by the attendees. He said during a Rolling Stone interview, “So I said, ‘Hey, I think I’ll take some psychedelics, and by the time I’m coming down, it’ll be time to go on stage, and I’ll feel fine.’ But when I was peaking around two o’clock, somebody said, ‘If you don’t go right now, you’re not gonna go on.’” These are among the festival’s greatest memorable scenes. Everybody had a ton of fun having to listen on guitar to Carlos Santana and on bass to David Brown.
Latin Rock At Woodstock
Love Makes The World Go ‘Round
At Woodstock, sharing was another big thing, which made perfect sense taking into consideration the values it enforced. Since there was not enough to go around, everyone decided to share their snacks. There were just too many people, leading to a shortage of food. The fact that people were celebrating love was a good thing! Many decided to volunteer on the festival grounds to feed everyone.
Love Makes The World Go ‘Round
More Amazing Performances
During the course of those three days, there were many musical acts. Clearwater Revival of Creedence and The Who were those who performed! Do you believe any other festival will measure up to Woodstock? We find it hard to believe that. It seemed like it will be the greatest ever that nothing can live up to, but then again, we’ll see about that.
More Amazing Performances
Lending A Hand To Those In Need
As we said, during the three-day event, love was in the air. Individuals did not hesitate, when needed, to help out each other. It is this sense of community aside from the music that differentiates Woodstock from every other music festival that did come before and after it.
Lending A Hand To Those In Need
Atop The Roof Of The Vans
A stylish way to get around the venue, for events like this one, psychedelic vans were perfect. They were not only comfortable, but they really provided an excellent way to see what was going on stage. Of course, while they waited for the next musical act, individuals could choose to rest inside the van. It sounds more attractive than a motorcycle or the hood of a car, we must say! There seems to be something extraordinarily appealing about this arrangement’s hippiness.
Atop The Roof Of The Vans
Anything Goes
Usually, individuals are free to wear anything they want to concerts and festivals. Although most folks at Woodstock chose the tie-dye style, some ended up taking the chance to stand out and send out a message. Do you believe that at the moment, he had been under the influence of drugs? Who knows what statement this guy intended to communicate, even but we’d have to acknowledge that his imagination and devotion amuse us.
Anything Goes
Hugs For All
A photographer snapped this picture as yet another morning was breaking out on the festival site. As they share a common blanket, it shows the two locked in an embrace. They have been hardly the only ones huddled up during Woodstock for comfort! Mostly during the event, the resting arrangements were genuinely something else.
Hugs For All
One For The History Books
More than 400,000 people gathered to celebrate three days of music, peace, and love on August 15, 1969. This was indeed the greatest one ever recorded in history, not only it was attended by adults or teenagers but also children! To add, even the children who attended the festival enjoyed every second of it. Although it was quite not convenient, many people still stayed in the location to fully enjoy the event.
One For The History Books
Unforgettable Music
Truly, this was an occurrence that one would never forget. Of course, it was made all the more unique by great performers like Janis Joplin, The Who, Santana, Jimmy Hendrix, and Joan Baez. Aside from the location being jampacked, the stage, indeed, is jampacked as well with big performers and great artists.
Unforgettable Music
Intimate Hideaways
Even though we would exchange anything and everything to listen to those productions, the scenes of affection shared by the festivalgoers might have been our best-loved part of the event! It’s probably one of the best things that happened in the event aside from having to hear the great musicians’ performances; witnessing people share and spread love all over the place.
Intimate Hideaways
Time For Chow
Even though most people will look back at Woodstock and start realizing they need to improve their sense of fashion, how inclusive and communal the concert was was the biggest takeaway we ended up getting. The 400,000 people in attendance had to eat, and so they did! This was successfully done with a lot of assistance from the crowd as well.
Time For Chow
Come Rain or Shine
Woodstock was happening no matter the weather. If it started raining, it would rain! Even though the heavens opened and the storm came, the festival was rain or shine, so the crowd continued enjoying the festival as if there’s no change in the weather at that time.
Come Rain Or Shine
Dreamer
Why not take your friend’s car for a nap while you queue up? It sounds like an awesome concept to all of us! This was the next best thing for those that didn’t come with tents. And although we must admit that, that couldn’t have been extremely comfy!
Dreamer
Stay Flexible!
Mostly during the 1960s, and particularly among the Woodstock participants, yoga was a huge hit. Right there, in the middle of the event, the few who did know some postures managed to hold improvised yoga seminars. Well, staying fit, and the likes should not be compromised, right?
Stay Flexible
Welcome To The Club
Woodstock is renowned for the serene environment and friendliness of the people that have come. They happened to come together for a significant juncture in U.S. history and became one. Can you truly think that one fight didn’t take place? Unbelievable!
Welcome To The Club
Janis Joplin Of Course
Janis Joplin was definitely a talented lady. She has been one of Woodstock’s big names! She continued to play until 2 AM on Saturday night; the audience’s hearts and souls were in the palm of her hand the whole time. This was her biggest show since going solo.
Janis Joplin Of Course
I’m in the Band
Even though there was an entrance fee to gain entry, when the masses and masses of people kept coming, the organizers soon decided to give up. The happy people were flooding the campsites, and the organizing committee did know there was really no point in even trying to restrict the number of attendees.
I’m In The Band
Writing the Next Big Hit
Until Day 3 at Woodstock, Tim Hardin managed to perform, though his performance is rarely thought about. He is a lesser-known folk musician who had only one massive success, “If I Were a Carpenter,” under his belt. Fortunate for him, the fans were just as fond of it as they were on the radio!
Writing The Next Big Hit
My Bubbles
The farmer who owned the land on which Woodstock took place, Max Yasgur, was brought to tears by the festival. He was popularly quoted saying, “If we join them, we can turn those adversities that are the problems of America today into a hope for a brighter and more peaceful future.” This man saved Woodstock by first and foremost letting it happen!
My Bubbles
Helping One Another
Opposition to the Vietnam war was primarily the ‘flower child’ movement. Many people have come to Woodstock to demonstrate unity and peace in order to oppose the horrific events that were taking place. People here encourage each other to do henna tattoos mostly during festivals, a famous body art.
Helping One Another
Extra Extra Read All About It
Because there was no Internet back then, people received their stories via magazines and newspapers. While at the music event, they just want to keep up with current events, so this was how people did it! It is quite different from what we are doing now and how it’s supposed to be but at that time, who really cares?
Extra Extra Read All About It
Fashionista
Styles very often come right back, as you know. The same could be said of fashion during the sixties. On the streets today, the garments and hairdos this couple is sporting could undoubtedly be seen. As the saying goes, “History repeats itself.” Well, it definitely did.
Fashionista
Goth before Goth
During Woodstock, try and find someone dressed in all black; it’s incredibly tough!This image is pretty astounding because this lady did the unthinkable and appears to have done something that no other participant did. She wore all black! If she wanted to stand out in the crowd that time, well, she definitely did.
Goth before Goth
Melanie Sings ‘Candles in the Rain’
Melanie Schekeryk is conducting “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” in this photograph, which was quite a success! Can you believe that she continues to perform today and has been since 1967?? She’s really unstoppable, we must say! Well, it’s really hard to stop especially if you love what you’re doing.
Melanie Sings Candles In The Rain
Fortune Teller
During Woodstock, fortune tellers were obviously a massive deal. We’re not sure we’d get guidance from some kind of hippie donning a trippy dress like that, but then again, it’s Woodstock! Nothing is ever too weird not to try. Everyone was just living in the moment at that time.
Fortune Teller
Fresh From the Farm
We’re not quite certain who decided to bring the cow, from where did come from, or why it was milked, but there’s one thing we do know with certainty. When it relates to Woodstock, everything goes together, so this photograph would not be too strange!
Fresh From The Farm
Fuller House
We understand exactly 400,00 individuals (the number of individuals who attended Woodstock) are difficult to picture, so try and think of it like this. A few other math whiz found out that if you line up blue jeans equivalent to the total of participants, you will end up with a garment of 10 million yards!
Fuller House
Jimi Hendrix Sings
In Woodstock, more than 30 iconic musicians managed to perform, and no one was as remarkable as the one and only Jimi Hendrix. He wholeheartedly accepted his capabilities to satisfy everybody in the crowd, the power of the moment, and the power of the sixties, of course.
Jimi Hendrix Sings
2017 or 1969?
This couple is indeed the coolest! At a festival like Coachella, we could easily see them in 2019. Her Bohemian-style outfit and her jean-cut shorts have never been out of fashion. Oh, and how can we neglect her bleached waves and his fantastic afro! Again, history does repeat itself.
2017 Or 1969?
Rain Dance Man
When it began to pour down, the crowd came together and performed a rain dance to attempt to stop the downpours. As it kept on coming, they were apparently not likely to succeed, but it’s the thought that counts! At least, they still enjoyed the festival even though it rained.
Rain Dance Man
Twist and Shout
Although the rain dance did not work, it always helped a friend dry his garments! The only way to make things really nice and dry was the old tactic… twist and yell! Oh, and we’re just not talking about this prestigious dance move.
Twist And Shout