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Peace, Love and Woodstock

What did you do this past weekend? Maybe you went and saw a movie, partied with some friends or vacuumed out your closet. This past August weekend seems pretty inconsequential to us; it’s really just three more days of summer that have gone by. Forty years ago, however, the weekend was far from inconsequential, especially for the 300,000 people who spent August 15 – 18, 1969, standing in dairy farmer Max Yasgur’s field. The Woodstock Music and Art Fair was undoubtedly one of the greatest moments in rock and roll history, and its memory will never, ever fade.

I really don’t know what I wouldn’t give to have witnessed Woodstock. There is something magical about live music, and to know that the hundreds of thousands of people surrounding you are feeling that same thing would be surreal. Sullivan County, NY, really did not need to declare a state of emergency. While there were hundreds of thousands of young people gathered in one area, no one was there to cause a riot or make trouble. They were there for the music. Woodstock transcended beyond simply being a concert. It illustrated the real power of music – bringing people together, in peace.

Well, maybe it wasn’t all peaceful. I mean, when you’ve got 300,000 music lovers crammed into a field while the Grateful Dead is playing, things are bound to get a touch rowdy. But to be able to return home and say that you rocked out to The Who, Jimi Hendix, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young all in the same weekend?? I really don’t think it could get any better than that.

Unfortunately time travel is not yet a convenient or accessible form of transport, so young Woodstock lovers must satisfy themselves with a couple of films. Michael Wadleigh’s 1970 documentary about the festival provides great footage of the festival, as does a part of The Who’s 1979 documentary, The Kids Are Alright.

August 28th will see Taking Woodstock, a fictional film about Woodstock, hit the big screen. The film is centered on a teenager who works at his parents' dilapidated motel. Given that his neighbour is farmer Max Yasgur, there is a good chance that things could get a little interesting when 300 000 people come flooding into the area…

This weekend may not have seemed to have much importance to you, but for the rock and roll world, the 40th anniversary of Woodstock recognizes and celebrates an unforgettable four days of peace, love, and rock and roll music.