Beyond the Good Vibes: The Wild Reality of Woodstock '69

Imagine stepping back in time to the legendary Woodstock festival in August 1969. What do you think you would remember most? It wasn't all peace and love!

You might recall an epic traffic jam. Imagine the worst traffic jam ever. Cars were abandoned everywhere as people just gave up and walked for miles! And then there was mud. It rained and rained, turning the farmland into a giant muddy swamp. And to make it even more memorable, it was mixed with cow manure and piles of trash! In a time before weather apps, no one was really prepared for how wet it would get. What about the electrical hazard that no-one talks about? The insulation of the main power supply was damaged, exposing live wires - combined with rain and mud, this created a real risk of people getting electrocuted. Country Joe and the Fish found themselves performing “acoustically” while repairs were made.

Country Joe at Woodstock

But beyond the chaos, the Woodstock legend was of course really about the music. Here are three performances that stood out (you can follow the links in the text to create some new memories):

1. Richie Havens: A relatively unknown folk-rocker, Richie Havens, unexpectedly became the first act on Friday afternoon. Because of the insane traffic, the first four bands couldn't even get there! Havens played an extended set, eventually running out of repertoire. So, in a moment of true inspiration, he improvised a final song on the spot, and "Freedom/Motherless Child" was born – an incredibly energetic song that perfectly captured the spirit of the festival.

   
   

2. The Who: Part of the British Invasion, The Who finally took the stage around 5 am. Their song "My Generation" was a highlight of their encore. The performance ended with Pete Townshend smashing his guitar on the stage and throwing it into the crowd! Talk about rock-star energy!

   
   

3. Joe Cocker: Joe Cocker took a Beatles song, "With a Little Help From My Friends," and turned it into a soulful, powerful anthem. Paul McCartney himself praised Cocker's version. Cocker's 7-minute performance closed the show, ending just as a huge summer thunderstorm rolled in. Epic!

Even better than re-living memories, how about making some new ones with family or friends! Join us as we take you back to "The Summer of Love" at The Latvian Hall on Sunday 18 May. Tickets are selling fast! TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DAOKE