Nearly 50 years ago upwards of 500,000 teenagers and young adults traveled to upstate New York to Max Yasgur’s farm to be part of rock and roll history. August 15th, 1969 was the first day of the Woodstock Music Festival. Over the next few days we’ll take you back to one of the greatest moments in the history of mankind.
The festival was the brainchild and production of four entrepreneurs, Michael Lang, John P. Roberts, Joel Rosenman, and Artie Kornfeld. The concept was to make money, little did they know they would be making history. The farm was secured in April of that year; C.C.R. became the first act to come on board for $10,000.
Richie Havens kicked off the festival at 5:07 EST which included the classic tune “Freedom, Motherless Child.” Ravi Shankar, Melanie, Tim Hardin, Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, and Sweetwater stole the show, playing into the early morning of the 16th.
Did you know that the Woodstock didn’t actually take place in Woodstock? Max’s farm is in Bethel, New York?