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Woodstock

© Ann Stanton

Does the name Max Yasgur ring a bell? No? How about Woodstock? The 3 day event that took place in 1969 on Max Yasgur's farm in Bethel, New York - about fifty miles from the town of Woodstock. Bob Dylan was currently residing in Woodstock, New York at the time, and promoters had first chosen that location for the festival. To protect the community itself, it was later decided that it would take place on the 60-acre stretch of farmland. Over 500,000 people gathered in attendance of the rock festival - a nonstop frenzy of music, drugs and free love. (Can you believe it's been nearly thirty years since Woodstock reshaped the music world? Performers are now gearing up for Woodstock '99 in Rome, New York - July 23rd, 24th and 25th.)

Although titled Woodstock Music and Arts Fair, it was obvious that most folks were there for the music. The original concept sprung forth when four young entrepreneurs decided upon a cultural exposition - so to speak. Total cost of the event would be $2.5 million. Woodstock was to be the largest music festival ever. It was a party, a fellowship, a concert, a demonstration - and was to be one of the most historical events ever. It was "Three Days of Peace and Music." The expected attendance was estimated at about 200,000 people, but officials were amazed to see over a million people lining the highway - traffic was backed up for over twenty miles in every direction. Half those people would end up at Woodstock for a rebirth of the summer of love. And less than one quarter of those people had tickets.

Law officials stood by helplessly in the sea of "hippies" as drug use and sales, and public love-making were abound. The crowd of 500,000 attendants was a city in itself - Woodstock Nation. They feared riots and violence, and of course, by the end of three days had witnessed their fair share of assaults. But at the end of that three days of chas, two women had also given birth.

The musical line up, is legendary in itself. It was here that Jimi Hendrex played his infamous rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, which may have been the most memorable music event at Woodstock. Creedence Clearwater Revival joined the stage with the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane. Contrary to popular belief, artists did not attend Woodstock to simply partake in the festivities, they weren't even part of Woodstock Nation. It may have been a time of peace and free love, but the entertainment didn't come without a price. The artists were there to work and were paid up to $18,000 to play their music.

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