Jonathan Nava-Ramirez

Sixties Research Paper

English-61

Professor Lewenstein

7 Nov. 2018

Three Days of Peace: Woodstock 1969

    The opening performance for Woodstock 1969 was Richie Havens. With almost a million people showing up, Richie jump-started one of the most historic events in music history. He became an icon of the baby boomer generation and changed his life for complete. According to an article in CNN.com, Woodstock was both a peaceful protest and a global celebration. Richie explained,  “I looked out at all of those faces in front of me and the word “freedom” came to mind.”  I relate to this because Woodstock made it so people voices can be heard.  It provided a peaceful environment in where people can all share the same passion for music and the culture they are in.  It was a free event due to the fact that the organizers could not control the lines for the tickets. The size of the event was so immense that nearly eight miles of traffic was blocking the streets of Bethel, New York. Woodstock also known as “The Three Days of Peace” set a high bar in music festival history.  Woodstock 1969 was an important event that symbolizes peace and rock and roll.

   The article “Woodstock Music Festival Concludes”  speaks to the chaos of  the event was free; however, put aside the drugs, sexual relationships, alcohol, crazy crowds, and the rock and roll the event only had two casualties. They involved a young man being run over by a tractor & another one getting a drug overdose. Having a good line up was an important aspect of the event. With three days of nonstop music the organizers did not expect that the 600 acre dairy farm they hosted  would bring in almost half a million people. The only artist this article emphasized in was Jimi Hendrix.  With his historical closing he shook the whole crowd with his “Star Spangled Banner” guitar solo. Imagine how enormous Woodstock would have been if it was turned into an annual event. With historical performances by many great artist from all over the world the event grew enormously popular in the rock and roll culture. Performances by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, and the historic event closure by Jimi Hendrix and his guitar solo.

      Although Woodstock has not been in the industry again, lucky for us we still have a lot of similar event like Coachella Fest and many others who share the same passion for music and the environment that was felt in Woodstock 1969. In the sixties Woodstock attracted half a million “hippies” from all over the country to partake in a free three day rock concert; however, Coachella on the other hand attracts people from all over the world who can afford buying the tickets.  Woodstock 1969 and modern day Coachella both share a lot of similarly, but besides being from different eras they both share the hippie/peaceful like environment.

    With its historic lineup Woodstock definitely shook the country and musical history. In comparison to today's modern festivals like Coachella Fest. Its music festival has various stages all performing at once. It attracts people from all over the world; however, those who can only afford the tickets are able to go. Unlike Woodstock, Coachella Fest has a duration of 2 full weekends, but people still manage to party during the weekdays of the festival. If we could compare any event that resembles the Woodstock environment it would be Coachella Fest. Woodstock 1969 will always be remembered for how they managed to keep a peaceful environment between almost half a million people.