One of rock’s most memorable events was the original Woodstock festival, held in upstate New York in the summer of 1969. Following the Vietnam war, this festival was put on to promote peace and the love of music.
500,000 people from all walks of life ended up attending the infamous 3-day festival and, although people came from clashing backgrounds, the music helped spread peace. All in all,
Woodstock brought peace through music during a difficult time. It’s now written in history books as one of the greatest rock concerts of all time. When havoc and destruction should have occurred, people came together instead.
On the 30th anniversary of Woodstock in 1999, a new Woodstock took place to pay tribute to the greatest rock concert of all time. Unlike the original Woodstock, Woodstock ’99 left a negative impression on the world of rock.
Sheryl Crow, a female performer at Woodstock ’99, described the audience as disconcerting
and said that it was the worst performing experience she’s ever had.
“These people were so full of rage and totally unappreciative of the music, kids raised without any pride in themselves. I’m still really (angry) about the event and regret being a part of it” (As said by Sheryl Crow in Cateforis, 2006, p 313).
Why the drastic change? This festival was supposed to commemorate the orginal Woodstock, in which people banned together. However, at Woodstock ’99, the crowds got out of control as they raged, rioted, looted and flashed body parts for the camera.
Maybe Woodstock is something that can’t be re-created or re-visited. It wasn’t meant to be as big and grand as it turned out to be. But, that’s the spirit of it all. Without planning and without rules – Woodstock ’69 defied the odds and ended up showing America the healing power of music. Through rock, people forgave their differences for three days and focused on nothing but peace and prosperity. Isn’t that what music is supposed to be about? You can’t re-create that feeling. Maybe – just maybe – if we stop trying, it’ll come back to us one day and the world will see another successful Woodstock. Until then – I think it’s about time we stop trying so hard to make it happen.
Woodstock 1969 Woodstock 1999
References
Woodstock ’69 Web site, www.woodstock69.com
Theo Cateforis, 2006, ‘The Rock History Reader,’ CRC Press
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