The Legacy of Woodstock
Courtesy of ABC News
“It was the most wonderful failure in entertainment history”.
This is a common thought about the musical and historical bonanza known as Woodstock that took place in the late summer of 1969 in Bethel, New York. Despite national warnings, enthusiasts and musicians braved inclement weather conditions, overcrowded areas and other issues to enjoy the music festival of the decade. Artists included renowned folks like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead and Santana.
In a time of political, social and economic chaos, people come together for “peace, love and rock n’ roll”. It was originally not well-received, until media organizations realized its potential. They comprehended they could build an audience and gain a younger audience.
This is important to music today and people that want to be part of the industry for a few reasons. It shows the principles and landscape of another time – when music was pure, simple and not all about making money. It showed that music was an inescapable tool that could bring people together. At this musical extravaganza, people found their husbands/wives; people felt they found their ‘calling’. This is important to musicians today because it shows them that they shouldn’t get into music, unless it’s because they’re truly passionate about it and want to do that with their life.
Today, music isn’t as simple and fun-loving as it once was. It’s plagued by synthesizers, money-making schemes, changing your style to conform to the expectations of the industry today and doing anything they can to become famous. It’s not about the love of the art anymore. And it should be.
