Woodstock 1969

Woodstock ‘69

Many large concerts occurred throughout America in the summer of 1969, but none were as well known and symbolic as Woodstock. Its message was clear; three days of Peace and Music. Its impact on America’s culture and society as well as its youth will not be forgotten for many years to come.
Four men named Michael Lang, Artie Kornfield, John Roberts, and Joel Rosenman originally established Woodstock. The men’s initial idea for the festival was to promote the idea of a new recording studio in Bethel, New York, which is where the event actually took place. (Jacksonville.net) Because of the extensive amount of rain that fell before and during Woodstock, the site was changed twice and ended up on Max Yasgur’s farm. (Bethelwoodstockmuseum.com) This resulted in the loss of preparation time. The stage had not been entirely put up and the sound system was dangerously assembled. There were many other problems that occurred as a result of the mud produced during the rain. Most of the gates and fences were not put up which allowed many people to enter the festival for free.(Jacksonville.net) The mud also created a major cleanup project after the festival ended.
Woodstock gathered an unexpectedly large attendance. Only 50,000 to 100,000 people were expected to arrive at the site. These numbers seemed small compared to the 400,000 to 500,000 people who converged on the area on August 15, 16, and 17 of 1969. (Webster’s) Many expected singers and bands could not arrive due to traffic backed up for miles along all the roads leading to the area. It was said that nearly one million people could have attended the concert if it had lasted longer. (Visi.com) Many recognized musicians preformed at the concert such as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, and many others. (Home.columbus.rr.com) Truly by the first day, as the musicians looked out upon the vast crowd, they must have known that Woodstock was not going to be just another concert that would be forgotten.
On the outside, Woodstock could just be considered another concert for the youth of the time to hear their favorite music, but it can be seen that it was much more than that. Although the music was a large part of the festival, there would be no reason for it to be remembered this long if that w...

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...stock fans that made the trip to all three festivals bearing the “Woodstock” name. It seemed that the other men and women that made up the rest of the audience were nearly all there to get drunk and destroy anything they could get their hands on. By the end of the concert, nearly all of the stage and equipment was destroyed. Women were raped and all souvenirs such as shirts and posters were stolen. (MTV Woodstock Uncensored) The acts displayed at Woodstock 99’ could be summed up in two words: destructive force. It went beyond misguided violence to such a point as to bring down some of the original Woodstock’s glory. Unfortunately now when people think of Woodstock they will also think of the destruction that occurred during its latest attempt at recreation.
Despite people’s desire to bring back the feeling of the original Woodstock, all that can remain is its effect on the people who experienced it and the affect on the culture they lived in. The concert was necessary to have because it eased tension in a time of history that was full of war and prejudices. Its stories will be told, some good, some bad, but the desire that people feel to experience it firsthand will never be lost.