On August 15, 1969, the Woodstock music festival opened on
a patch of farmland in White Lake, a hamlet in the upstate New
York town of Bethel.
Promoters John Roberts, Joel Rosenman, Artie Kornfield and
Michael Lang originally envisioned the festival as a way to raise
funds to build a recording studio and rock-and-roll retreat near
the town of Woodstock, New York.
The longtime artists’ colony was already a home base for Bob
Dylan and other musicians.
Despite their relative inexperience, the promoters managed to
sign a roster of top acts, including the Jefferson Airplane, the
Who, the Grateful Dead, Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin,
Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival and many more.
Amazing in 1969. It’s part of American history regardless of how people may reflect on it. It nearly happened at Blumel Road in Scotchtown. Instead of Max Yasgurs in Bethel. Now Bethel Woods. I was too young age 10 at that time. However, longtime family friend’s sister Barbara Kelly and Nick, are on the cover of the original Woodstock album. So, it was nearly on family land and Micheal Lang did meet my aunt and uncle. Hey, move over ‘Let Jimi Take Over’. And, the Who played the most tunes. 23 Songs in all.