Woodstock Research Paper
August 15-19, 1969 was the most historic music festival in history. This festival marked the arrival of the Hippie movement and their ways of expressing themselves in rebellion against mainstream America. Woodstock festival gave power to the youth, and united people of all ages, races, and sexes. Although Woodstock may have seemed to only be a concert of drugs, sex, and rock and roll, it became a historical symbol of cultural and social change that defined the Counter Culture.
Joel Rosenman was the musician with a law degree but no plans set for rest of his life(Hettler, n.d). Artie Kornfeld was a successful record producer and a songwriter(Hettler, n.d). Michael Lang was looking for a record deal for a band he managed, and became friends with Kornfeld (“Hettler”, n.d). The two began to plan for a recording …show more content…
studio settling upstate New York in a town Called Woodstock(“Hettler”, n.d). Roberts and Rosenman were planning for a tv sitcom(“Hettler”, n.d). In search for woodstock funding, Lang and Kornfeld were introduced by their Lawyer to Roberts and Rosenman (“Hettler”, n.d). Joel Rosenman was their musician with a law degree but no plans set for rest of his life (“Hettler”, n.d). In addition to being a commissioned Army Officer, Roberts was their multi million dollar trust fund (“Hettler”, n.d).
The plan for Woodstock was to build a recording studio up in Woodstock, New York (“Woodstock”, 2016). The idea was to have a three day rock concert for 50,000 people that would raise enough money to pay for the studio (“Woodstock”, 2016). The four young men began to organizing a large musical festival (“Woodstock”, 2016). They planned to have the festival in an industrial park nearby Wallkill, New York (“Woodstock”, 2016). They began printing tickets for the festival for the festival, seven dollars for one day, thirteen dollars for two days, eighteen dollars for the three days (“Woodstock”, 2016). Things did not go as planned for the festival (“Woodstock”, 2016). Location was one thing that went wrong with the concert (“Woodstock”, 2016). The people of Wallkill did not want drugged out hippies ruining their town (“Woodstock”, 2016). July 2, 1969, the town of Wallkill passed a law that banned the concert from taking place in their town (“Woodstock”, 2016). People then began to demand for refunds for their pre purchased tickets (“Woodstock”, 2016). Luckily in mid July, Max Yasgur saved the festival by offering his 600 acre farm in Bethel, New York (“Woodstock”, 2016). As lucky as they were to have a place for the festival, the venue dramatically set back the festival timeline (“Woodstock”, 2016). New contracts were needed for the dairy farm and permits were needed to allow the festival to take place in the town had to be acquired (“Woodstock”, 2016). Construction of the stage, performers pavilion, parking lots, concession stands, and a children's playground barely got finished (“Woodstock”, 2106). Ticket booths and a gate did not get finished in time (“Woodstock”. 2016). As the date came closer, 50,000 people estimate shot up to 200,000 people (“Woodstock”, 2016).
The four men tried there hardest to bring in more toilets, water, and food (“Woodstock”, 2016).
The workers for the concessions threatened many times they were going to cancel last minute (“Woodstock”, 2016) The last minute ban on off duty police officers working at the festival was dangerous (“Woodstock”, 2016). Early arrivers were able to walk right through the gaps of the gates that were not finished (“Woodstock”, 2016). Around 50,000 people were camping near the stage (“Woodstock”, 2016). There was no way they could get 50,000 people to leave and pay for their tickets, the concert ended up being free (“Woodstock”, 2016). The show must still go on while there was 400,000 people there and the opening act was not there on time. The Jeff Beck group and Iron Butterfly were in the lineup to perform on sunday of the three day concert (“Bodner”, 2016). The Jeff Beck group broke up before the concert started “(Bodner”, 2016). Iron butterfly was stuck at a Laguardia Airport and could not find a way to the concert (“Bodner”, 2016). Due to the late start time, the concert came to a wrap that Monday at 11 a.m with only 30,000 people remaining
(“Bodner”,2016).
Here is the lineup for the four day concert. On the first day, Richie Havens, Sweetwater, Bert Sommer, Tim Hardin, Ravi Shankar, Melanie. Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez played (“Woodstock 1969 Lineup”, n.d). On the second day, Quill, Country Joe McDonald, John B. Sebastian, Keef Hartley Band, Santana, Incredible String Band, Canned Heat, Grateful Dead, Leslie West & Mountain, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, Sly & The Family Stone, The Who, Jefferson Airplane (“Woodstock 1969 Lineup”, n.d). On the third day, unexpected rain came and kept delaying the show till late that night (“Bodner”, 2016). Even with the rain, Joe Cocker, Country Joe & The Fish, Ten Years After, The Band, Johnny Winter, Blood Sweat And Tears, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (“Woodstock 1969 Lineup”, n.d). On the final day, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Sha Na Na, Jimi Hendrix (“Woodstock 1969 Lineup”, n.d). Drug use became out of hand. With no cops at the festival, it was very easy to bring drugs in (“Leary”, n.d). Drugs got so out of hand that medical corps had about a dozen “freak out tents” where overdose and other drug related symptoms could take care of them (“Leary”, n.d). Concession stand workers swapped out food for drugs (“Leary”, n.d). The most popular drugs that hippies used at Woodstock were LSD and Marijuana (“Leary”, n.d).
Marijuana (a.k.a weed) is a drug to get you high. Decrease in motivation and harmful effects on the brain, heart, lung reproductive system are long term effects (“Leary”, n.d). Marijuana is referred to dried leaves, flowers and stems (“Drug Facts”, 2016). Effects of smoking pot are changes in mood, difficulty with problem solving, and seeing brighter colors (“Drug Facts”,2016). Physical effects of smoking weed are breathing problems, increased heart rate, and problems with child development (“Drugs Facts”, 2016) LSD was a discovered by Albert Hoffmin (Leary, n.d). LSD was known for hallucinogen. The side effects come into play after 30 to 90 minutes after taking the drug (“Leary”,n.d). Sweating, increase in blood pressure and heart rate, dilated eyes pupils, muscle weakness, and chills are some side effects (“Leary”, n.d). LSD is a psychoactive drug, psychoactive drug means any drug will mess with your mind or behavior (“Leary”, n.d).
Through the whole concert, there was no reported incident of violence. Most would think there would be a lot of violence with half million of people. The closest incident that could have become violent when Abbe Hoffman rushed the stage during a break in The Who’s set. However there were 80 arrest that took place. The charges for those arrested were involving drugs. The majority of the audience were marijuana smokers, who were not arrested.
After Woodstock, the four organizers were shocked with the outcome. The four young men could not focus on the fact that they had created the most popular musical festival event in history (“Woodstock”, 2016). They first had to deal with over one million dollars in debt and 70 lawsuits that had been filed against them (“Woodstock”, 2016). On the plus side, the film of Woodstock turned into a hit movie and the profits from the money covered most of their debt (“Woodstock”, 2016). After everything was paid off, they were still 100,000 dollars in debt (“Woodstock”, 2016)
Throughout the four day concert, there were two deaths recorded. A 17 year old, Raymond R. Mizzak was sleeping in a sleeping bag in the bad and was run over ( “Sclafani”, 2009). Another death was caused by a overdose but no name was given (“Sclafani”, 2009). According to Michael Lang, there was three deaths total ( “Sclafani”, 2009). There could have been many more deaths due to the aspects of the festival (“Sclafani”, 2009).
Woodstock changed the United States morally (Leary, n.d). Hippies had a carefree lifestyle (Leary, n.d). They did not care what anyone thought about there culture (Leary, n.d). During Woodstock, people sang, danced, and made love (Leary, n.d). Woodstock brought the beginning of moral decline for America (Leary, n.d).
Woodstock 1969 was so popular, it was attempted to be recreated three times. Woodstock 1989 was the 20th anniversary taking place on the same exact days of 1969’s but the concert fell apart in the middle of the week. Woodstock 1994 was the 25th anniversary taking place at Winston Farm in
Saugerties N.Y. Woodstock 1999 was the 30th anniversary, at the Griffiss Air Force Base. Many things went wrong with this concert and messed up the name of Woodstock.
Through all the rain, uncomfortable living settings, deaths, drug trips, and more negative affects featured on newspaper headlines, Woodstock was still a great festival to the people attended. There were many things that went wrong with the festival but there were many things that went right. It was an event of counterculture that brought many people who believed in the same cause of anti-war. Even with all the chaos caused by traffic, everyone seemed to be able to maintain the peace at Woodstock. The event of Woodstock left a lasting impression to many even to those who did not attend but were able to achieve the knowledge of what had happened at Woodstock. Woodstock was an example of counterculture and was able to express the hippie era.
Joel Rosenman was the musician with a law degree but no plans set for rest of his life(Hettler, n.d). Artie Kornfeld was a successful record producer and a songwriter(Hettler, n.d). Michael Lang was looking for a record deal for a band he managed, and became friends with Kornfeld (“Hettler”, n.d). The two began to plan for a recording …show more content…
studio settling upstate New York in a town Called Woodstock(“Hettler”, n.d). Roberts and Rosenman were planning for a tv sitcom(“Hettler”, n.d). In search for woodstock funding, Lang and Kornfeld were introduced by their Lawyer to Roberts and Rosenman (“Hettler”, n.d). Joel Rosenman was their musician with a law degree but no plans set for rest of his life (“Hettler”, n.d). In addition to being a commissioned Army Officer, Roberts was their multi million dollar trust fund (“Hettler”, n.d).
The plan for Woodstock was to build a recording studio up in Woodstock, New York (“Woodstock”, 2016). The idea was to have a three day rock concert for 50,000 people that would raise enough money to pay for the studio (“Woodstock”, 2016). The four young men began to organizing a large musical festival (“Woodstock”, 2016). They planned to have the festival in an industrial park nearby Wallkill, New York (“Woodstock”, 2016). They began printing tickets for the festival for the festival, seven dollars for one day, thirteen dollars for two days, eighteen dollars for the three days (“Woodstock”, 2016). Things did not go as planned for the festival (“Woodstock”, 2016). Location was one thing that went wrong with the concert (“Woodstock”, 2016). The people of Wallkill did not want drugged out hippies ruining their town (“Woodstock”, 2016). July 2, 1969, the town of Wallkill passed a law that banned the concert from taking place in their town (“Woodstock”, 2016). People then began to demand for refunds for their pre purchased tickets (“Woodstock”, 2016). Luckily in mid July, Max Yasgur saved the festival by offering his 600 acre farm in Bethel, New York (“Woodstock”, 2016). As lucky as they were to have a place for the festival, the venue dramatically set back the festival timeline (“Woodstock”, 2016). New contracts were needed for the dairy farm and permits were needed to allow the festival to take place in the town had to be acquired (“Woodstock”, 2016). Construction of the stage, performers pavilion, parking lots, concession stands, and a children's playground barely got finished (“Woodstock”, 2106). Ticket booths and a gate did not get finished in time (“Woodstock”. 2016). As the date came closer, 50,000 people estimate shot up to 200,000 people (“Woodstock”, 2016).
The four men tried there hardest to bring in more toilets, water, and food (“Woodstock”, 2016).
The workers for the concessions threatened many times they were going to cancel last minute (“Woodstock”, 2016) The last minute ban on off duty police officers working at the festival was dangerous (“Woodstock”, 2016). Early arrivers were able to walk right through the gaps of the gates that were not finished (“Woodstock”, 2016). Around 50,000 people were camping near the stage (“Woodstock”, 2016). There was no way they could get 50,000 people to leave and pay for their tickets, the concert ended up being free (“Woodstock”, 2016). The show must still go on while there was 400,000 people there and the opening act was not there on time. The Jeff Beck group and Iron Butterfly were in the lineup to perform on sunday of the three day concert (“Bodner”, 2016). The Jeff Beck group broke up before the concert started “(Bodner”, 2016). Iron butterfly was stuck at a Laguardia Airport and could not find a way to the concert (“Bodner”, 2016). Due to the late start time, the concert came to a wrap that Monday at 11 a.m with only 30,000 people remaining
(“Bodner”,2016).
Here is the lineup for the four day concert. On the first day, Richie Havens, Sweetwater, Bert Sommer, Tim Hardin, Ravi Shankar, Melanie. Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez played (“Woodstock 1969 Lineup”, n.d). On the second day, Quill, Country Joe McDonald, John B. Sebastian, Keef Hartley Band, Santana, Incredible String Band, Canned Heat, Grateful Dead, Leslie West & Mountain, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, Sly & The Family Stone, The Who, Jefferson Airplane (“Woodstock 1969 Lineup”, n.d). On the third day, unexpected rain came and kept delaying the show till late that night (“Bodner”, 2016). Even with the rain, Joe Cocker, Country Joe & The Fish, Ten Years After, The Band, Johnny Winter, Blood Sweat And Tears, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (“Woodstock 1969 Lineup”, n.d). On the final day, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Sha Na Na, Jimi Hendrix (“Woodstock 1969 Lineup”, n.d). Drug use became out of hand. With no cops at the festival, it was very easy to bring drugs in (“Leary”, n.d). Drugs got so out of hand that medical corps had about a dozen “freak out tents” where overdose and other drug related symptoms could take care of them (“Leary”, n.d). Concession stand workers swapped out food for drugs (“Leary”, n.d). The most popular drugs that hippies used at Woodstock were LSD and Marijuana (“Leary”, n.d).
Marijuana (a.k.a weed) is a drug to get you high. Decrease in motivation and harmful effects on the brain, heart, lung reproductive system are long term effects (“Leary”, n.d). Marijuana is referred to dried leaves, flowers and stems (“Drug Facts”, 2016). Effects of smoking pot are changes in mood, difficulty with problem solving, and seeing brighter colors (“Drug Facts”,2016). Physical effects of smoking weed are breathing problems, increased heart rate, and problems with child development (“Drugs Facts”, 2016) LSD was a discovered by Albert Hoffmin (Leary, n.d). LSD was known for hallucinogen. The side effects come into play after 30 to 90 minutes after taking the drug (“Leary”,n.d). Sweating, increase in blood pressure and heart rate, dilated eyes pupils, muscle weakness, and chills are some side effects (“Leary”, n.d). LSD is a psychoactive drug, psychoactive drug means any drug will mess with your mind or behavior (“Leary”, n.d).
Through the whole concert, there was no reported incident of violence. Most would think there would be a lot of violence with half million of people. The closest incident that could have become violent when Abbe Hoffman rushed the stage during a break in The Who’s set. However there were 80 arrest that took place. The charges for those arrested were involving drugs. The majority of the audience were marijuana smokers, who were not arrested.
After Woodstock, the four organizers were shocked with the outcome. The four young men could not focus on the fact that they had created the most popular musical festival event in history (“Woodstock”, 2016). They first had to deal with over one million dollars in debt and 70 lawsuits that had been filed against them (“Woodstock”, 2016). On the plus side, the film of Woodstock turned into a hit movie and the profits from the money covered most of their debt (“Woodstock”, 2016). After everything was paid off, they were still 100,000 dollars in debt (“Woodstock”, 2016)
Throughout the four day concert, there were two deaths recorded. A 17 year old, Raymond R. Mizzak was sleeping in a sleeping bag in the bad and was run over ( “Sclafani”, 2009). Another death was caused by a overdose but no name was given (“Sclafani”, 2009). According to Michael Lang, there was three deaths total ( “Sclafani”, 2009). There could have been many more deaths due to the aspects of the festival (“Sclafani”, 2009).
Woodstock changed the United States morally (Leary, n.d). Hippies had a carefree lifestyle (Leary, n.d). They did not care what anyone thought about there culture (Leary, n.d). During Woodstock, people sang, danced, and made love (Leary, n.d). Woodstock brought the beginning of moral decline for America (Leary, n.d).
Woodstock 1969 was so popular, it was attempted to be recreated three times. Woodstock 1989 was the 20th anniversary taking place on the same exact days of 1969’s but the concert fell apart in the middle of the week. Woodstock 1994 was the 25th anniversary taking place at Winston Farm in
Saugerties N.Y. Woodstock 1999 was the 30th anniversary, at the Griffiss Air Force Base. Many things went wrong with this concert and messed up the name of Woodstock.
Through all the rain, uncomfortable living settings, deaths, drug trips, and more negative affects featured on newspaper headlines, Woodstock was still a great festival to the people attended. There were many things that went wrong with the festival but there were many things that went right. It was an event of counterculture that brought many people who believed in the same cause of anti-war. Even with all the chaos caused by traffic, everyone seemed to be able to maintain the peace at Woodstock. The event of Woodstock left a lasting impression to many even to those who did not attend but were able to achieve the knowledge of what had happened at Woodstock. Woodstock was an example of counterculture and was able to express the hippie era.