Memories of Woodstock - 51 Years Strong

[Heather Shay]

I planned to present a program on Woodstock at my Chautauqua Series and include a mini-concert. I found out and showed THEN and NOW photos and couples who met and are still together like the iconic couple on the cover of the 3 record set.

 

I've attached a powerpoint I planned to show and discuss. 

 

What memories do you have OR in the case of those born after - what are your perceptions of the event.

 

 

woodstock powerpoint.pptx

[KathyLauren]

I wasn't old enough to go to Woodstock.  I couldn't have afforded the trip anyway.

 

The one that really burns me, though, was Festival Express in 1970.  I could have walked to that one in Calgary, but my parents wouldn't let me go.  They had The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Buddy Guy, Flying Burrito Bros, Ian & Sylvia's Great Speckled Bird, and Delaney & Bonnie & Friends.

[Heather Shay]

wow - what a show that would have been to see. If you look at the powerpoint you'll see a couple Canadian who were at Woodstock and are still married.

[KathyLauren]

I liked the powerpoint.  Interesting info.

 

I did eventually see Ian & Sylvia.  They had split up both personally and professionally, but both of them were on the bill, as separate acts, for a charity event that I attended.  But they did get together on stage for a couple of songs.

[Charlize]

I was certainly old enough to attend and was fortunate to have seen some of the folks who preformed there at the Fillmore East.

Since the hippie was dead and buried by then much of the magic i had know seemed to have disappeared,  I could no longer believe that everyone with long hair was friendly or safe.  My now wife and i more or less dropped out, living in an old laundry truck before moving into a chicken house at a commune just outside college.  I was finishing, just as much to avoid Viet Nam as any other reason.  We were broke, shooting game, and doing odd jobs to get by.  Going to another farm to get stoned with strangers wasn't appealing even if the music was good.

I guess that is my memory of an event i had heard about but about which i cared little.   

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Heather Shay]

@Charlize - I was in the last class to get 4H school deferments and I was happy because I drew 53 in the lottery and probably would have gone. A straight arrow friend was in LSD by the first few weeks of basic training and my brother went to Nam and got caught in crossfire in first week there - got scharpnal (that is still in him to this day) - he was in the hospital for 28 days and the wonderful Army wouldn't consider those days toward promotion because he wasn't "on active duty" AND they sent him back in. I was happy not to go.

[KayC]

I was too young (and lived too far away) for Woodstock.  But the music influenced my life and is still embedded in my life memories.

PBS The American Experience did a great documentary last year.  Its available on Netflix I believe.
While the music and artists are highlighted It tells more of the story of how the event came about (and almost didn't happen) and the interesting side stories and one the greatest cultural events .. Ever.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/woodstock-official-trailer/

 

[Heather Shay]

I used that series as part of my research for my PowerPoint. PBS always does a wonderful job.