The Stars of the Woodstock Music Festival

The Woodstock Music Festival is considered one of the bellwether moments of the 60s as it brought together over 500,000 young adults at the height of the anti-war sentiment. There were no reported acts of violence at the festival. The closest anyone came to sticking a blow was when Abbie Hoffman jumped on stage during the Who’s set, and Roger threatened to hit Abbie if he didn’t get off ‘his stage.’

Did you know that the movie Woodstock won an Oscar in 1970, yet most moms kept their kids from buying a movie ticket to see the movie?

August 15th, 16th, and 17th 1969 are days that seem like an ancient memory now, nearly 50 years ago. Sadly, here’s a list of great Woodstock performers who are no longer with us: Richie Havens died in 2001, Alvin Lee (Ten Years After) passed away in 2013, Tim Hardin (drugs) in 1980. David Brown of Santana died in 2000, while Alan Wilson of Canned Heat moved on in 1970 (drug overdose) Janis Joplin died in 1970, the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia in 1995, Ron McKernan in 1973, C.C.R.s’ Tom Fogerty died in 1990, the Who’s Keith Moon (accidental drowning) in 1978, Jimi Hendrix in 1970.

Of those 27 Woodstock performers who have died, 11 were the result of drugs, 6 by heart attack, 5 due to cancer, and one was murdered by his wife. Yikes!

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Photo credit: Albert B. Grossman Management