50 Fun Facts About Woodstock

In what month did the original Woodstock Music and Art Fair take place?

The Woodstock Music and Art Fair was held from August 15 to 18, 1969, on Max Yasgur's dairy farm.

The iconic Woodstock festival was held on a dairy farm in which New York town?

Despite its name, the Woodstock festival took place on Max Yasgur's dairy farm in Bethel, New York, approximately 60 miles southwest of the town of Woodstock.

Which of these individuals was one of the four main organizers of the 1969 Woodstock festival?

Woodstock was initiated by Michael Lang, Artie Kornfeld, John P. Roberts, and Joel Rosenman, who formed Woodstock Ventures.

The original Woodstock festival was billed as "An Aquarian Exposition" with what subtitle?

The festival was billed as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music," reflecting the counterculture ethos of the time.

Approximately how many people were estimated to have attended the 1969 Woodstock festival?

The festival attracted an audience of more than 460,000 people, far exceeding the initial expectation of 50,000.

Who was the very first musical act to perform at the 1969 Woodstock festival?

Richie Havens opened the Woodstock festival at 5:07 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 1969, and played an extended set due to other performers being stuck in traffic.

Which legendary guitarist closed out the original Woodstock festival on Monday morning?

Jimi Hendrix and his band were the last to perform at Woodstock, taking the stage on Monday morning at 9 a.m., after the festival was officially supposed to have ended.

Which of these famous bands notably declined an invitation to perform at the 1969 Woodstock festival?

Led Zeppelin, The Doors, and Jethro Tull were among the notable bands that declined invitations to play at Woodstock.

The Woodstock festival took place on the farm of which dairy farmer?

The festival was held on Max Yasgur's 600-acre dairy farm in Bethel, New York.

Before settling on Bethel, New York, the Woodstock organizers faced local opposition and were rejected by which other New York town?

The festival was initially planned for Wallkill, New York, but town residents opposed the project, forcing organizers to find a new location weeks before the event.

The 1970 Academy Award-winning documentary film about the festival is simply titled after what?

The event's significance was reinforced by a 1970 documentary film, titled "Woodstock," which won an Academy Award.

Which famous musician, though not present at the festival, wrote a hit song about Woodstock that became famous through other artists?

Joni Mitchell wrote the song "Woodstock," which became a major hit for both Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Matthews Southern Comfort, despite her not attending the festival herself.

One of the most significant logistical challenges at Woodstock '69 was the massive traffic jam, leading many attendees to do what?

The influx of people created huge traffic jams, causing many concert-goers to abandon their vehicles and walk miles to the festival site.

What was the approximate advance ticket price for the entire three-day Woodstock festival?

Tickets for the three-day event cost US$18 in advance and $24 at the gate, although it eventually became a free concert due to the overwhelming crowds.

Which artist famously had to play an extended set as the opening act because many other performers were delayed by traffic?

Richie Havens opened the festival and, due to many subsequent acts being stuck in traffic, he was asked to play a much longer set, eventually performing nearly every song he knew.

The Woodstock festival is often seen as a defining moment for what cultural movement of the 1960s?

Woodstock is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in popular music history and a defining event for the counterculture movement of the 1960s.

Which of these bands performed a powerful set at Woodstock, famously including a 20-minute version of "I'm Going Home"?

Ten Years After delivered a memorable performance at Woodstock, with Alvin Lee's guitar solo in "I'm Going Home" becoming one of the highlights of the festival and the documentary film.

The decision to make Woodstock a 'free concert' was largely due to what unforeseen circumstance?

Woodstock was originally conceived as a profit-making venture but became a 'free concert' when circumstances, specifically overwhelming crowds tearing down fences and ticket booths, prevented organizers from collecting money at the gates.

Which future legendary artist made his American debut at Woodstock as part of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young?

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young made their second live performance and Neil Young's second live appearance with the group at Woodstock.

What unexpected food item became a staple for many attendees due to supply shortages at the festival?

Due to huge crowds and rampant food shortages, granola became an unexpected hero and staple snack at Woodstock '69.

Which artist performed a solo acoustic set that included "Coming into Los Angeles" and humorous anecdotes?

Arlo Guthrie performed a memorable set including "Coming into Los Angeles" and his famous "New York State Thruway is closed" announcement, along with a story about "Exodus" (the 'acid brownies' story).

The Woodstock '94 festival, an anniversary event, was held in which New York town?

The 25th-anniversary Woodstock festival, Woodstock '94, was held at Winston Farm in Saugerties, New York.

What was the original vision for the Woodstock Ventures company, formed by the organizers?

Woodstock Ventures was initially formed with the idea of building a recording studio in the town of Woodstock, New York, before the concept evolved into a large music festival.

Which British rock band famously had their set interrupted by Abbie Hoffman, leading to Pete Townshend hitting him with a guitar?

During The Who's performance at Woodstock, activist Abbie Hoffman interrupted their set, famously being struck by Pete Townshend's guitar.

The Woodstock '99 festival faced severe criticism and problems due to its location at what kind of site?

Woodstock '99 was held at the former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York, a largely concrete and asphalt site that contributed to the difficult environmental conditions and problems at the festival.

Which female singer-songwriter performed a solo set on Friday night, inspiring her later hit song "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)"?

Melanie (Melanie Safka) performed a solo set on Friday night, during which audience members lit candles, inspiring her hit song "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)."

What common weather condition affected the festival, contributing to the muddy conditions?

Overcast skies and sporadic rain contributed to the muddy conditions at the festival.

Which legendary blues-rock band, known for their long improvisational jams, performed in the early hours of Saturday?

Canned Heat performed an extended set in the early hours of Saturday morning, featuring their hit "Going Up the Country" and lengthy jams.

The 1969 Woodstock festival officially concluded on what day of the week?

Although scheduled for three days (Friday-Sunday), the festival ran into Monday morning, with Jimi Hendrix being the final act.

Which of the following bands played a notable set that included "Soul Sacrifice," featuring a young guitar prodigy?

Santana delivered a high-energy performance at Woodstock, with their instrumental "Soul Sacrifice" showcasing the drumming of Michael Shrieve and the guitar work of Carlos Santana.

What was a major issue concerning sanitation at the Woodstock festival?

One of the many logistical challenges included a severe shortage of adequate toilet facilities for the massive crowd.

Which of these folk singers performed on Saturday afternoon, delivering a powerful anti-war message?

Country Joe McDonald performed a solo set and later with Country Joe and the Fish, becoming famous for his "Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag," a prominent anti-Vietnam War anthem.

The original town of Woodstock, New York, had a long history as a colony for what group of people before the festival's conception?

The town of Woodstock, NY, had been known as a popular center for artists, writers, and musicians long before the festival, attracting figures like Bob Dylan.

Which band, known for hits like "Proud Mary," performed a set that was later officially released as 'Live at Woodstock' for its 50th anniversary?

Creedence Clearwater Revival's legendary performance at Woodstock was finally released, 50 years later, as 'Live at Woodstock'.

What was the general sentiment of the New York State Police regarding the festival's atmosphere?

The New York State Police reported that the music festival, billed as an event of peace and music, was simply that, with no use of force shown and only a small number of arrests primarily for illegal drugs.

Which soul and funk band delivered a electrifying morning performance on Saturday, rousing the crowd?

Sly & the Family Stone performed an energetic set in the early morning hours of Saturday, August 16, which is considered one of the festival's highlights.

The original Woodstock festival site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in what year?

In 2017, the festival site became listed on the National Register of Historic Places, acknowledging its cultural and historical significance.

Which artist's raw and passionate performance of "With a Little Help from My Friends" became a defining moment of Woodstock?

Joe Cocker's impassioned performance of The Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends" is one of the most iconic and remembered acts from Woodstock.

The festival's name was retained as 'Woodstock' despite the location change because of what practical reason?

The name 'Woodstock' stuck because promotional materials were already branded, and changing it to 'Bethel Music Festival' was deemed impractical and undesirable, as nobody knew where Bethel was.

Which musical style was NOT typically featured prominently at the 1969 Woodstock festival?

While folk, rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock, and jazz fusion were prominent, disco music had not yet emerged as a genre in 1969.

The Woodstock '99 festival, held 30 years after the original, took place in which New York city?

Woodstock '99 was held in Rome, New York, at the former Griffiss Air Force Base.

Which artist famously performed "If I Were a Carpenter" at Woodstock, a song that had also been a hit for Bobby Darin?

Tim Hardin performed his song "If I Were a Carpenter" at Woodstock, a track that had also become a US Top 10 single for Bobby Darin.

What was the estimated number of musical acts that performed at the original 1969 Woodstock festival?

Thirty-two acts performed outdoors during the Woodstock Music and Art Fair.

Which of these bands, known for their psychedelic rock, performed on Sunday morning?

Jefferson Airplane performed a set that extended into Sunday morning, featuring their distinct psychedelic rock sound.

The Woodstock festival was a defining event for what generation?

The event became a defining event for the silent and early baby boomer generations.

What was the initial expected attendance for the Woodstock festival according to the organizers?

The organizers had anticipated that approximately 50,000 festival-goers would turn up.

Which American folk icon, known for her powerful voice and activism, performed on Friday night?

Joan Baez was a notable folk artist who performed on Friday night, known for her powerful voice and activism.

What kind of instrument was a prominent feature of Ravi Shankar's performance at Woodstock?

Ravi Shankar, a master of Indian classical music, performed a sitar set at the festival.

The Woodstock film was directed by whom?

The Academy Award-winning documentary film 'Woodstock' was directed by Michael Wadleigh.

Which band, known for their energetic stage presence, performed a late-night set on Saturday that included hits like "Dance to the Music"?

Sly & the Family Stone delivered an electrifying performance on Saturday night, featuring their blend of funk, soul, and psychedelic rock.