Friday, August 14, 2009

40 year ago this weekend--------Woodstock 1969

Yes, it wa 40 short years ago this weekend that the                         almost          impromtu appearance of near a half a million people got together for a weekend 

 

 

                    

                                              Have Fun & Remember Verdun

    here's Santana ,doing Soul Sacrafice......................

                                         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnamP4-M9ko

            

24 comments:

Les F said...

Actually it seems like it was in another lifetime.........
HF&RV
....I'm always reminded when hearing of Woodstock,of my brother''s theory ,that if as many people went to Woodstock,as have said they've been,then there would have been 2 million people there at least.......lol
ps: I did not attend..

Les F said...

Here's another site ,with clips from 8mm movies,taken from the crowds perspective:
http://www.film.queensu.ca/woodstock/
there are plenty of versions of Woodstock,so I will only add this one in addition to the main thread vid.
However theey are making a movie (inspired by a true story,which generally means nothing close to the truth,but as they say ,Why let the truth interfere with a good story......the movie I think is called 'Taking Woodstock,..looks like it might be fun..here you have to listen to an ad for Halloween II ,but then a Woodstock clip from the new movie plays,have a look if you like.
http://movies.ign.com/dor/objects/14249216/taking-woodstock/videos/taking_wood_050809.html

Ken McLaughlin said...

My theory is that Woodstock must have been great because of all the mythology surrounding it. Like where is that baby that should be turning 40 this week? I was starting to plan to go with a few others at the ripe old age of 15 but at the last minute we heard that they just were not letting Woodstock bound people into the USA so we let go of it. In 1973 4 of us from Verdun went down to the Watkin's Glen concert which was estimated at 600,000. And I can tell you that we were parked 12 miles from the concert and that was with help from a local who then drove us in to the concert area. So I tend to believe a lot of the Woodstock logistic stories. Still, it was a post Woodstock show. Woodstock just kind of exploded into itself very spontaneously and I think that is part of the nostalgic charm the event has for so many. 40 years later there are still all kinds of people however who just believe it was an event that glorified filthy hippyism. Most of the Woodstock Nation can take a little bit of pride in how the strategic sarcasm of 1969 has remained in conservative thinking 40 years later. OK course, it s all also quite baffling.....

KenM

Ken McLaughlin said...

By the way, it is fashionable today in many circles to pretty much condemn the music at Woodstock, citing poor sound and terrible performances ad naseum. Jimi Hendrix doing the "Star Spangled Banner" remains one of the greatest electric guitar improvs ever recorded and took tremendous courage - though it should probably be said that no one understood how huge this event would be before it started.
Still, most of the males in the audience were either already drafted or waiting to be drafted and that meant Vietnam and that meant death or a totally messed up life for most who went there. Given the background Woodstock just seems more amazing with time.

KenM

Les F said...

Ken prior to Woodstock & any other large venue 'pop festivals' (later rock concerts) they had what was billed as the longest pop festival ever, a whole 12 or 14 hours or so of a multitude of bands,one being a very young 'The Who' as well as many others of course...Dean Hagopian was one of the Guest Hosts....blah blah blah....& I'm not sure if it was you who was with me,but standing behind the stage which was at roughly Center Field of the old Autostade,we laughed & sat on the back of the black cadillac limo which wisked the 'Who' away after their set, onstage,....and as it headed out the narrow garage door type opening at one end of the field; gals were surrounding the car,and most were pushed away as the car needed to exit the stadium,& one gal had to be pulled in as the exit way was more narrow,& the last words I heard from here , was Oh Keith...........hahahahahah little did he know he was about to check off the planet not too much later.......as for Pete Townshend he projected a real snotty holier than though attitude.....which I guess was somewhat understandable from their recent rise to fame......(I still don't like the _rick ,again the P being silent as in Psalm........hahahahaha
I think I inherited a drumstick from the the band that followed ..Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels....
Funny stuff as we go back in time,.........Do you Remember this ,as I cannot be sure of who was with us kids at that time.......but it was a big deal,long before Monterey or Woodstock.
I have searched for info on this all day affair ,many times, but to no avail so far,..even pics of the old Autostade are somewhat hard to find,though I've posted all the ones I did find usually Alouettes stuff
I Remember Ken that you were somewhat of a pioneer to f&*k off from home & travel a little before we did (or at least I did)...........hahahahha and you've found your way back home (Verdun)
I will remain on the westcoast,.......................................................HF&RV

Dolly ? said...

What year was that Les? Co-incidentally, I've taken the summer off to finish the second draft of my novel (will be close) and guess what? I'm at 1969 and one of the characters has been invited to Woodstock. I've ordered one of the Woodstock films from Chapters for my research and to get a feel for the era as I wasn't there. Ha!

But before Woodstock, there was the John and Yoko Bed-in for peace at the Queen E from May 26 to June 2, 1969. Does anyone remember that? I've just finished a book called Give Peace a Chance with photographs taken by Gerry Deiter who dropped dead on the sidewalk in Victoria on Dec. 9, 2005. Yes, Chapter 19 has some of the characters participate in the final day June 1, when Give Peace a Chance was recorded. Hey, I'm writing fiction but it has to read truthfully and real.

BTW Les, just found out that my first poem ever submitted will be published by Blueskies publishing here in Edmonton and will appear in an anthology with the theme Home and Away. The book launch will be in the fall in three cities in Alberta but people will be able to read it on line in October. Excited because I never considered myself a poet and to show you how well paid writers, especially poets are, I will be paid in two copies of the book and get 50% discount on any other copies I order. So will keep my day job for a little while longer unless I win the lottery, inherit a lot of money or get a 6-figure deal on my novel. :-)

Dolly ? said...

Did Dean Hagopian work for CFOX? They were the first radio station to announce that John and Yoko were doing a bed-in for peace at the Queen E Hotel and did interviews with the two during their stay.

Dolly ? said...

Ken, and who can forget Janis Joplin singing Take Another Piece of My Heart Out. Even Mama Cass Elliot was shown mouthing, Wow! Janis was amazing and none of the music now a days comes close. Oh, aren't I sounding like an old foggy. Adults at that time though Frank Sinatra was the cat's meow! :-)

Les F said...

Hello Sabby, (thought that was better than the obvious Hello D----) However Dean Hagopian did indeed work for CFOX he and another radio celeb of the day were the MC's at this 'pop festival' it ran like I mentioned about 14 hours & billed as the longest 'pop festival' ever at that time shortly thereafter to be upstaged by Monterey ,Now I'm totally guessing at the year but I suspect it was late '67 .maybe earlier in the summer.??? I really don't remember .
BTw: let us know when we can see a copy of your poem & of course any other writings.As you know the local library here is always open to suggestions & we did get one of your stories picked up by them already (a collection of stories from various authours I think it was ? So I will not hesitate to suggest they purchase any new stuff too..
Now as for your 'Bed IN' with John & Yoko at the Queen E,....you may want to email 'bro jake' brother jake at Rock 101.1 Vancouver (you can listen live via the internet, He would probably be happy to tell you his experiences ( as he's prone to like talking about himself anyway.......hahahahaha) but it may be a good insight & I'm sure he'd help.He was in the room with everyone when they recorded 'Give Peace a Chance' Give it a try.............Good Luck HF&RV
here's the link to the Bro Jake show... http://www.rock101.com/Channels/Reg/DJsandShows/TheBroJakeShow.aspx
....and here's the link to the Rock 101 opening webpage where you can click Listen Live:
http://www.rock101.com/index.aspx
again Good Luck

pauline garneau said...

http://www.cjad.com/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fcjad%2Fsrimedia%2Ftommy%20with%20Yoko%20Ono%206m28s.mp3&nid=903534&
Hi Dolly you may find this interesting
http://www.cjad.com/player/player?mediapath=&type=flv&fi=files%2Fcjad%2Fsrimedia%2FTommy%20with%20Yoko%20Ono%20March%2031%2C%202009.wmv.FLV&nid=903533&

Ken McLaughlin said...

I was not at that Autostade show , Les, but I was at one there a year or two later that had Jethro Tull, Johnny Winter, Mountain, I think Mashmakan was there, anyway, was quite the day. We watched from the top of the Autostade as a mob outside was looking to crash, riot cops looking very nervous, and I think the promoters saved the day by saying just let em in...quite the times for sure.

KenM

Ken McLaughlin said...

Of course today there would be no crashing, Everyone would just watch the feed on their Iphones from their friends inside lol.

Les F said...

Now that Sunday is approaching fast,.........Who played the final songs at Woodstock ?
Here's a list (which I cannot verify ,as of yet,but it'll do for the time being)
Woodstock Festival Final Day
After midnight - Monday Morning)
Blood Sweat And Tears:
More And More
I Love You Baby More Than You Ever Know
Spinning Wheel
I Stand Accused
Something Coming On

------------------------------ -------------------------
Johnny Winter:
Mama, Talk To Your Daughter
To Tell The Truth
Johnny B Goode
Six Feet In The Ground
Leland Mississippi Blues/Rock Me Baby
Mean Mistreater
I Can't Stand It (With Edgar Winter)
Tobacco Road (With Edgar Winter)
Mean Town Blues

------------------------------ -------------------------
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young:
(Set One - Acoustic)

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Blackbird
Helplessly Hoping
Guinnevere
Marrakesh Express
4 + 20
Mr Soul
Wonderin'
You Don't Have To Cry

(Set Two - Electric)

Pre-road Downs
Long Time Gone
Bluebird
Sea Of Madness
Wooden Ships
Find The Cost Of Freedom
49 bye-byes

------------------------------ -------------------------
Paul Butterfield Blues Band :
Everything's Gonna Be Alright
Driftin'
Born Under A Bad Sign
All My Love Comin' Through To You
Love March

------------------------------ -------------------------
Sha-Na-Na:
Na Na Theme
Jakety Jak
Teen Angel
Jailhouse Rock
Wipe Out
Who Wrote The Book Of Love
Duke Of Earl
At The Hop
Na Na Theme

------------------------------ -------------------------
Jimi Hendrix:
Message To Love
Hear My Train A Comin'
Spanish Castle Magic
Red House
Master Mind
Here Comes Your Lover Man
Foxy Lady
Beginning
Izabella
Gypsy Woman
Fire
Voodoo Child (slight return)/Stepping Stone
Star Spangled Banner
Purple Haze
Woodstock Improvisation/Villanova Junction
Hey Joe

Hendrix insisted on being the final performer and was scheduled to perform Sunday at midnight. He didn't take the stage until 9 A.M. on Monday morning and played for 2 hours to a dwindling audience.

Les F said...

I have to say that I did not remember that Paul Butterfield Blues Band played at Woodstock let alone on the final day....he's one of the blues bands I've liked for years & he came to UVIC & played here often,until his untimely demise at 44 ( I think it was)
HF&RV

Ken McLaughlin said...

Ya know what? Maybe that whole Woodstock thing is that everyone who claims they were at Woodstock claims to have seen Hendrix - and it seems like less than everyone caught that show.

Bob Bisnett said...

Hi Les
I don't know if Butterfield played Woodstock, but he sure played the New Penelope in Montreal a few times. Saw him there a few times. blew me away!

BobB

Dolly ? said...

Love Paul Butterfield! Didn't know he played the New Penelope. Is it still around or has it morphed into something else? Don't recall which came first, The Yellow Door or the NP. If you go to Woodstock Wikipedia, all the info is there. Butterfield was third to last act on last day and Jimi indeed played last.

Thanks everyone for your help. I'll try to get in touch with Jake Edwards when he returns on the 24th Les. Pony, that's a great help too. I remember Schurnamacher too. He was a friend of a friend. I think he's still around. Those were good times, a good era and hope I capture it in my novel. I've completed the chapter (19) on the Bed-in and it is true to the theme of my book. So many people invaded Room 1742 including the separatists who talked to John about their cause and John, of course, tried to disuade them from using violence...and next year in October 1970, we know what happened. Interesting times and I was glad I lived through an era of such change and innocence.

David Flood said...

The New Penelope was originally owned and operaed by the late Gary Eisenkraft (sp?) better known as Craft Eisengary. Many well renowned acts played at both of his venues on Bishop and Stanley incl Lightfoot, Woodstock vet Richie Havens. Great performances by all at the NP.

Almost forgot blues legends Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee. I saw them there in 1967, again in CAlifornia in 1975 and 1979 or 80

Bob Bisnett said...

Having a hard time posting...my PC is acting up......if this comes through twice, that's why.

The New Penelope is no more....closed in 1969. Gary Eisenkraft died a few years ago, Here's a link to an article written by his sister for the Globe & Mail.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/article873339.ece

BobB

Dolly ? said...

Sorry to hear about Gary. I remember him and going to the NP and seeing Terry and McGee. Good times.

Bob Bisnett said...

I only heard about Gary's passing quite accidentally. I was reminiscing about Montreal and the music I heard there at the New Penelope. I was telling a story about Gary when a Toronto friend said that she had seen something in the Globe & Mail about Gary dying. It upset me and I searched the on line Globe and found his sister's article. It troubled me that I had known him in the 60's, often wondered about him and then this news.

Flash forward a few weeks and i was at Hugh's Room (a great club) in Toronto to see Kate and Anna McGarrigle. Part way through their first set, Kate announces that the next song was going out to the memory of someone that former Montrealers may know - Gary Eisenkraft. I applauded at the mention of his mane. No one else responded. I must have been the only former NP fan there that evening. When the set ended and as I sat at my table, a woman appeared and asked "How do you know my brother?" It was Harriet who wrote the Globe article. So I had a chance to talk to her and tell her how much her brother meant to me and how through his love of music he had changed my life.

BobB

Ken McLaughlin said...

That's a great story, Bob. Just proves how powerful music is, how it can connect us all....

KenM

Bob Bisnett said...

Yes. I agree Ken. It's a powerful thing. It's a blessing indeed.

BobB

Les F said...

Great letter by his sister,nicely done,...Thanks for the input Bob. HF&RV