Today marks the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, no of course I wasn't around to take part in it but many of you older folks probably remember when it was happening. I have over the years watched many documentaries about it, looks like a blast or at least the aging baby boomers want us to think that. I remember my parents being horrified by the same documentaries, they felt it was people channeling their inner piggy. Running around half naked in the mud, dancing, laughing, drinking, having sex, "mommy, daddy, you keep saying that like it's a bad thing"? Except the drugs, I was never impressed with drugs, all the potheads around where I lived were weird, I never wanted to be part of that crowd.
I can't help think of the contrast between then and now. A festival, thrown together in a farmer's field, some really cool performers who loved music and who also felt it important to speak out on issues, came together to create a historic moment in music. Sure, many people went there to just have fun but it became bigger than just a concert.
Compare that to today, people tried to recreate the moment, however in my opinion, it was with the idea of cashing in on a memory and not about the spirit of the original concert. They didn't secure a site, they had a line up of people, some who play a computer program and not instruments, some top forty pop singer types, the kind of people I feel, would be more worried about parking their limousine or having sparkling water shipped in. It just seemed a disaster in the making even though they had fifty years to plan it. After the usual bureaucracy, red tape or whatever piled up, the event fell through and was cancelled. That speaks volumes about the competence or maybe dedication of people today. I'm not into county music but maybe they should have asked for advice from the country music festival types, they know how to get things done, plus they still play real instruments at those festivals.
I found it sad but to be honest, I don't think too many of the original festival goers would be able to take part, so it's not like that crowd was let down. I think it's best to let it go, just look back and think "wow". I watched a clip that gave me the "warm and fuzzies" there is that iconic picture of a young couple hugging, wrapped in a blanket. They tracked the people down and "melt in your mouth sweetness", they were a young dating couple who eventually got married and are still together today. You can watch the clip below if you like. Peace everyone!
24 comments:
Cool Dude.
I have the feeling our dear Maddie would have loved Woodstock. But he may have been more Wigstock 😮😲😜
It also made me think, why don't you open up your fields and recreate a gay Woodstock steven? I'd come.
Thanks for posting that great video about the couple in the iconic Woodstock photo! Love it!
Kinda like what Burning Man has become.
Some events, like Woodstock, can't be recreated. Just as there will never be another Saint or Studio 54. Some things should just be left alone and remain as memories of a great time.
I was 15 in 1969 and there was NO WAY IN HELL my parents were going to let me go to woodstock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxxoI8nJosE
I was thirteen that year. Woodstock and the moon landing went right over my head! I look at some of the pictures and think, that is waaaaaay too much mud. I do like the song though.
They managed to recreate Woodstock a couple of times already -- I distinctly remember hearing about festivals in 1999 and 1994. There are lots of other festivals that are successful, too -- don't the Juggalos put on a big festival every year? So although this attempt at reviving Woodstock did not succeed it does not necessarily indicate a larger trend. (Also remember that Woodstock itself didn't exactly go as planned. It was kind of a mess, and not just because of the mud.)
The Burning Man festival is somewhat almost like Woodstock. But you have beautiful people walking around in billowing linen and flashing jewels in a barren dry desert. Nah, it's not like Woodstock. I almost got the chance to go but it was either that or not come back as my parents said when I asked them. I opted to stay home and go to college. I wish I had gone though.
Woodstock was epic because it was the right time and the right place. Trying to recreate it will forever fail.
Those performances and 5e people who attended them is what makes the event so awesome.
I got the Vinyl with the soundtrack and it IS very special.
XoXo
P.S. if you follow CaliBoi’s advice and stage your own gay Woodstock I’m game!
I was 15 I wanted to run and go... but being on a farm in the rural South, didnt allow it to happen... O well .... maybe in another Life
Cali Boi, definitely more wigstock, you can't go glamping while up to your knees in mud, he would have ruined his good heels!
Or... I could lie to you and say that I'm having one and then when you come, you could think of ways to punish me for fibbing, yes?
That wouldn't be possible now, some rave corporation held a 72 hours techno dance festival near me, they rented land and never let the locals know that they were coming. For three days non stop people heard thumping dance music instead of the peaceful country side, they formed a group to ensure that never happens again. Plus I don't want the hassle, that would be too stressful.
Debra, you are most welcome, I love a cute couple story!
Jimmy, I always wanted to go to burning man, it seems so opposite of Sunday school.. lol!
Richard, I completely agree, different times create different events and people need to find their own generation events.
Anne Marie, as fun as it looked, I would never let my teenager go either!!!
Deedles, the rocket to the moon went over your head.. no pun intended??? Yes kids, today's Woodstock word is "mud"!
Old Lurker, yes they did recreate Woodstock back then but it was probably some of the same people who did the original. I think this will be a major lesson going forward, if someone tries again they will be aware of this disaster. I think the problem with the 1969 original was that they didn't realize how successful it was going to be and so had way more people than planned.
Leanna, smart move on your part, just remember that the next time you are washing cat poo out of your husband's socks!
Or... I could lie to you, say I'm having an event and you and Cali Boi could think of ways to punish me for fibbing to you!
I completely agree with your points, people just need to enjoy the memory and work on creating new ones instead of trying to recreate old ones.
Tommy, you were just a little guy, you could have been corrupted, I'm sure you had your own adventures. If I had a teenager at that time, I would not let them go either.
peace to you too my friend.
Thanks Dr Spo, you're a really cool cat!
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