The summer of ’69 rocked and rolled its way into music history. For three days, music lovers across the country flocked to this muddy field in upstate New York, creating a massive crowd of free spirits. This legendary festival, also known as Woodstock, defined an entire generation and provided legendary performances that are still remembered today! In today’s article, we’re reliving 10 of the best moments from Woodstock.
Joe Cocker
First up on our list of the best moments from Woodstock was Joe Cocker, who rocked the festival on Sunday afternoon with his wild take on The Beatles “With a Little Help from My Friends.” At this time, the British singer was rising in fame and at just 25 years old.
During his rendition, Cocker flailed his arms while his gravelly voice reached the massive crowd. By the time he finished, Cocker had the audience in the palm of his hand. His recorded version of the song also hit #1 on the UK charts and was used as the theme song for a hit TV show, The Wonder Years.
His passionate performance became one of the best moments from Woodstock, turning him into an overnight star and earning the first slot on our list.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Next, Creedence Clearwater Revival hit the Woodstock stage around midnight on Saturday, much later than their scheduled evening slot. The delay came after the Grateful Dead‘s notoriously long set ran over time.
Despite the late hour, CCR delivered a solid performance. John Fogerty and his bandmates powered through their hits, including “Born on the Bayou” and “Proud Mary.” Their rock sound stood out among the more psychedelic acts of the festival.
Though the band played well, in interviews, Fogerty later expressed disappointment about their set time and the drowsy audience. Still, for the fans who were awake, CCR provided a welcome change of pace in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Country Joe and the Fish
After Joe Cocker’s set finished, heavy rain continued to pound Woodstock, turning the field into a muddy mess. When the downpour eased, Country Joe and the Fish took the wet stage, creating one of the best moments in Woodstock history.
Joe McDonald, wearing his army jacket, led the crowd in the “Fish Cheer” before launching into “I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die Rag.” The band’s anti-war songs and psychedelic rock cut through the damp air and the mud-caked audience loved it. They cheered loudly as the band wrapped up their performance.
Despite soggy equipment, Country Joe and the Fish delivered a performance that perfectly captured the festival’s spirit.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Once the rain subsided, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young took the Woodstock stage early Monday morning at 3:30 a.m. Although it was only their second public performance, the band delivered a powerful set.
“This is only the second time we’ve performed in front of people. We’re scared […[,” Stephen Stills famously told the audience.
Despite their jitters, they delivered a memorable acoustic set, showcasing harmonies on songs like “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” and “Marrakesh Express.” They then plugged in for an electric set, with the guitar shredder himself Neil Young joining them on stage.
CSNY’s Woodstock appearance launched them into the spotlight, cementing their status as one of the era’s most influential acts and earning a place on our list.
Janis Joplin
Another one of Woodstock’s best moments was Janis Joplin‘s electrifying performance in the early hours of Sunday morning. The 26-year-old Texas powerhouse took the stage around 2 a.m., but her energy showed no signs of the late stage time.
Joplin, wearing her signature colorful attire, sang bluesy vocals to the crowd. Her rendition of “Ball and Chain” was particularly moving as she howled and swayed across the stage.
Her performance solidified her status as one of rock’s most captivating voices. Tragically, it was one of her last major festival appearances before her untimely death the following year, making this Woodstock moment even more memorable in retrospect.
Santana
Santana’s performance also earned a place on our list of the best moments from Woodstock. The then-unknown band from San Francisco took the stage on Saturday afternoon, filling in for a delayed Grateful Dead.
Led by 22-year-old guitarist Carlos Santana, the group introduced the audience to their Latin-infused rock, immediately grabbing their attention. Their instrumental “Soul Sacrifice” became the highlight of their set, featuring a drum solo by Michael Shrieve.
Perhaps more memorably, Santana himself later revealed that Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia offered him hallucinogens right before he took the stage. He admitted he was hallucinating on mescaline during the entire set, thinking his guitar was a snake he had to wrestle with.
Despite this, or perhaps because of it, Santana delivered a performance that stunned the audience. Their appearance at Woodstock, later immortalized in the documentary, launched the band to stardom.
The Band
Next, The Band‘s Woodstock set also earned a place on our list of the best moments from Woodstock. Although they were relatively new to the scene, they delivered a performance that stood out from the festival’s psychedelic acts.
Led by Levon Helm’s distinctive vocals, The Band played favorites like “The Weight” and “I Shall Be Released.” While not as flashy as some other Woodstock moments, The Band‘s set highlighted the festival’s musical diversity. Their down-to-earth sound provided a perfect soundtrack as the weekend wound down, earning them a place on our list.
The Grateful Dead
Taking a turn from these more positive “best moments,” The Grateful Dead‘s Woodstock set on Saturday night became infamous for all the wrong reasons. The band took the stage during a steady and heavy rainfall, creating dangerous conditions for their electric equipment.
As they began their psychedelic jams, the wet stage caused numerous technical difficulties. Band members were actually getting small electric shocks from their instruments, leading to a chaotic performance.
Despite these setbacks, the Dead soldiered on, playing an extended set that pushed back other acts’ schedules. While definitely not their finest musical moment, The Grateful Dead‘s perseverance through their “electric” set became part of Woodstock lore.
The Who
Another one of the best moments from Woodstock was when The Who stormed the stage at 5 a.m. Sunday, delivering a set that jolted the crowd awake.
Their performance of iconic tracks from their concept album Tommy peaked as they played “See Me, Feel Me” right as the sun began to rise, creating a truly unforgettable moment.
The set also had its share of drama when activist Abbie Hoffman interrupted, which prompted Pete Townshend to boot him offstage with his guitar. Nonetheless, the band powered through, showcasing their unique theatrical rock style. The Who’s performance, capped by Townshend’s iconic guitar smashing, embodied the true energy of Woodstock.
Also Read: 7 More of The Best Female Singers of the 70s
Jimi Hendrix
Last but definitely not least was Jimi Hendrix‘s set. He closed Woodstock with a performance that became the festival’s defining moment. Although he was initially scheduled for Sunday night, he didn’t take the stage until 9 a.m. Monday morning.
He ultimately played to a dwindling crowd of about 30,000 die-hard fans. Despite the reduced audience, Hendrix delivered a two-hour set, including his now-legendary rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Hendrix’s guitar work and showmanship were on display throughout the set, which included some of his other hits like “Purple Haze” and “Foxey Lady.” His Woodstock performance, particularly the national anthem, symbolized both the festival and the 1960s counterculture. This historic set, one of Hendrix’s last major performances before he died in 1970, provided a fitting end to Woodstock’s three days of peace and music.
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