Jimi Hendrix and His Iconic "Star Spangled Banner"

Jimi Hendrix and his famous band, Gypsy Sun and Rainbows, were one of the most anticipated performers at Woodstock. A lot of people waited for them, but by the time they showed up, the crowd of 500K had reduced to only 50K, still not a small number by any means.

However, those who stayed behind sure did have the time of their lives, and the wait was worth it as Hendrix performed his rendition of “Star Spangled Banner.” It remains one of the most endearing moments in the history of Woodstock and that era. He and his bandmates arrived looking like the iconic flower children they were.

Come Rain or Shine, the Party Will Go On

Woodstock was such an iconic and fun-looking time; even the rain wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Usually, bad weather can ruin an event, but the hippies at Woodstock were a resilient breed, and even torrential showers from the heavens couldn't mess this up for them.

Luckier people still found some cover to keep the water off them, so they didn't scramble away altogether. This group looks like they didn't mind the wet weather so much and sheltered underneath a small board. Huddled so close together, there's barely any room for dancing, but at least it temporarily protected them from some, if not most, of the downpour.

BYOI - Bring Your Own Instruments

Woodstock was a place where people could be themselves and let loose. It was a haven far away from the despair of the outside world, and everyone could unwind with some music. Many attendees even brought their musical instruments like these two people pictured here.

The woman seems to be playing the flute while her companion is banging away at the drums. They seem to be having fun, though it's pretty likely that the music wasn't the only reason for their blissful faces. Psychedelics were all the rage at the time, and many of those among this event's crowd were no strangers to indulging in them occasionally.

All Smiles From Jerry Garcia

Jerry Garcia was a flower child to the very core, and his thick beard, curly locks, and round colored glasses only added to the persona. He was the lead singer and songwriter of the band "Grateful Dead," and they were pretty popular amongst festival goers. No wonder he's smiling for the camera.

However, his grin would soon fade away, as this was just moments before a disaster. He wasn't satisfied with his band's performance due to numerous technical difficulties and large amounts of psychedelics. Poor Garcia never imagined things could go wrong while posing for this photo before his appearance.

Peace, Love, and Flower Power

Many couples who are still together first met at Woodstock. It was an event that wholeheartedly celebrated freedom and being carefree while encouraging love above all things. This was a celebration of life and love, and this couple got the memo. We’re not sure if they’re still together or even with us six decades later, but this photo captures their happiness of being together perfectly.

Many who met at the festival kept in touch; some became lifelong friends or lovers, while others lost touch soon after. It was the ‘60s; after all, sliding into someone’s DMs wasn’t a possibility yet.

Janis Joplin and Some Liquid Courage

Stars from the ‘60s had their distinct style. Take Janis Joplin, for example; she looks like an absolute diva in her tie-dye print dress and the way she’s sitting with her orange sunglasses on. She’s so carefree and doesn’t seem to care that she’s about to go on stage.

Apparently, reporters had gathered around her, and she was waiting for too long before she got on stage, so she took the matter into her own hands and downed a few glasses of wine to calm her nerves. But she must have had too many cups because Joplin had trouble hitting the right notes while singing on stage.

The View's Better From the Top

Over 400K folks were attending Woodstock, and while it didn’t cause any significant problems, many people had trouble seeing the talent on stage due to so many others in front of them. Neither were there big video screens that could show the performances to the crowds in the back, so they had to get creative.

People weren’t afraid to get on sound towers even though it was dangerous. Though falling was a genuine reality, dozens got on the metal scaffolding for a better view. In hindsight, it makes sense, considering they drove long hours to see their favorite performers.

"The Grease Band" Takes Over Woodstock

The Grease Band, hailing from England, kicked off the three-day festival and started with some instrumental covers of songs like "Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring" and "40,000 Headmen. Their frontman was Joe Cocker, who got up on stage and sang their cover of Pete Dello's iconic "Do I Still Figure In Your Life."

Although that didn't seem to do much for the audience, he made up for it with his performance of "Let's Go Get Stoned" by The Coasters; people in the crowd went wild. It became the perfect start to the whole festival as they got the crowd pumped up.

Rain Won't Get Me Down

Woodstock is an iconic historical moment because people from all walks of life gathered together to celebrate freedom, love, and peace. However, not everyone can have the same opinions about bad weather. One problem with Woodstock was the fact that it was the rainy season. However, many festival-goers seemed okay with that and didn't mind.

Some people did seek shelter under boards or plastic, but even they weren't too bothered. In this picture, you can see many people out in the rain. Some seem to be enjoying it, like the guy in the back. But judging from the people's expressions in front, they weren't as amused.

Surprise Performance by John Sebastian

John Sebastian had to jump in to get the crowd going. Not officially scheduled to perform, he reportedly attended the festival for his fun. He was there as a spectator, but between Santana's set and the next act, there was a lull in the atmosphere.

So he did as any entertainer would; he rose on stage and began singing! He was performing an unplanned set to a crowd who couldn't be happier. Sebastian even dedicated his encore "Younger Generation" to an audience member who'd just had a baby. Also, notice his colorful pants and jacket. He later shared that he actually tie-dyed those himself!

Groovy Is the Way To Go

A group of people heading into a forest sounds like the premise of a horror film. The muddy undergrowth and endless towering trees make it even creepier. However, the forest near Woodstock had more of a happy vibe, and festival goers, especially those who wanted to take recreational psychedelics, sure did enjoy the woods.

Woodstock was relatively safe, and these ladies didn't seem bothered at all. Organizers had marked the routes, and attendees could either take the gentle winding path to the festival or opt for the 'Groovy Way' for those already in the celebratory mood. Suffice to say; adventure lovers chose the latter.

Amazing Grace by Arlo Guthrie

The crowd at Woodstock was excited from sun up to sun down, and nothing could change that. Arlo Guthrie began his set just as the rain stopped, fearing the attendees were settling in for the night. However, neither the weather nor the late hour made a difference. It was just day one of the festivities, and sleep was on nobody's mind.

Son of the legendary folk musician Wooden Guthrie and an equally famous mother, growing up, Arlo was always surrounded by artists. Although he wasn't one to quickly get nervous, the festival was a new experience. His rendition of "Amazing Grace," unfortunately, didn't go down well with the crowd.

Freedom and Fashion

Fashion is a form of self-expression, and many of the festival goers at Woodstock had quite a unique sense of style. These people had come to enjoy a few days of freedom away from the world's rules, so it's no surprise their style would be unconventional, too.

The clothes we wear can reveal a lot about us. For example, this woman here loves to accessorize and has added some bling on her hands and neck, but she has kept her face and locks quite natural looking. Her outfit is a plain knit top, and she seems at ease in every sense.

The Crowd Couldn't Let Richie Havens Go

Richie Havens wasn’t very well-known before Woodstock, but his set left an impression, and his career began from that point on. He had one of the most extended performances, which lasted nearly three hours. However, he made sure the audience did not get bored and did a fantastic job.

The crowd was very excited. Havens had to continue his performance for so long because many other artists were running late, and someone had to keep the show going and the people engaged. Two weeks later, he performed at the Isle of Wright Festival, and fans were indeed already looking forward to him, this time.

Janis Joplin Takes a Break From Singing

Janis Joplin had one too many drinks before she got on stage to perform. However, one can't judge because it was Woodstock, after all! Everyone, from the audience to the performers, was on something or another. Joplin was also tipsy but managed to sing her hit song "Ball and Chain."

She looked pretty happy after her performance and had passed the mic onto her bandmate, Snooky Flowers. In reality, Joplin was probably relieved she didn't have to continue singing and was enjoying herself, dancing away on stage. Here is a perfect opportunity for making a case against photographs not always telling the whole story.

Warm Hugs on a Cold Night

Woodstock days may have been hot and rainy, but the nights were the opposite. The nights brought cold winds and a slight chill which became a problem for many people who didn’t pack enough, or in some cases, any blankets. However, that was not a big problem for people with a snuggle buddy.

Someone to keep warm helped, and those lucky folks could even share blankets. Many people had traveled alone, but with all that free love in the air, the more adventurous quickly made new friends to stay warm. The nights became better for them because they now also had someone to enjoy the music with.

No Better Resting Place Than on Top of a Car

There were over 400K people in attendance at Woodstock in ’69. That means there were probably around 100 thousand vehicles that were also present. Not only did they take up a lot of space, but given that it was August, it probably also got pretty hot there.

Making things even worse was the unexpected downpour. While many people caught some shuteye in tents or sleeping bags, others had to make do with their only option: their cars. However, it seems like this girl couldn’t deal with the heat. Her solution was to sleep on top of her vehicle instead of inside it.

And It Comes to an End

All good things must come to an end, and Woodstock met the same fate after its incredibly eventful three days. The attendees didn't know it then, but they were part of a historical event that people would remember fondly decades later.

Still, everyone knew it was the biggest event of the time and everyone that they would be experiencing something extraordinary. Many were sad to leave when the time came; perhaps this man's expression says it all. It had been a life-changing three-day experience for most who attended, so it's no surprise that so many of them were unwilling to escape the trance.

What's Joe Cocker's Thinking?

We wonder what Joe Cocker was thinking in this photo. As his band was about to perform in front of a sleepy crowd, we're sure he was thinking about getting them excited again. Or maybe he was just staring into space; who knows?

But if we're right, he couldn't have chosen a better song than "Let's Go Get Stoned." Woodstock was one big party with free-flowing alcohol, among other illicit substances. Therefore, many attendees could relate to the lyrics. As for those not yet in the mood to party, Cocker's music did a fantastic job of waking them up and getting them excited again.

Woodstock Got Everyone Wild

When a bunch of people meet at an outdoor event, they are sure to get creative and have fun in every way possible. Some may even do dangerous things, but what's life without a bit of adventure? This festival goer found an easy way to have fun and pull a stunt simultaneously.

As his companions looked on, this daredevil leaped off into the air and headed straight for the ground. We're sure he only did so because there was hay down there to break his fall. He's carefree and high on life, the perfect example of the spirit of Woodstock.

Nick Ercoline and Bobbi - Still Together

Many people found fame from the festival, which wasn't limited to musicians. This young couple who we see here snuggled up in a blanket together are Bobbi and Nick Ercoline. They'd only been together for about three months before attending the festival together.

They never imagined that this four-day festival would thrust them into the limelight. Bobbi and Nicki have even featured on the cover of the Woodstock album, and their pictures remain iconic. What's even better is that the couple is still together. So it's safe to say this experience is one they will cherish as long as they live.

Love Has No Boundaries

The '60s were a critical time for race politics in America, and even though by 1969, the country's government gave most people their rights, racism still existed. Moreover, dating someone from a different ethnic background was still considered taboo.

The nation was on the brink of war, so Woodstock was like a breath of fresh air where people of all races could celebrate peace and love. This picture may not seem unusual now, but it wasn't common to see at the time. Here we have two people of different racial backgrounds arms around one another as they enjoy the music.

Better Bring a Tent

This picture shows the difference between people who came prepared and those winging it. Some attendees had just shown up and left it all to fate, but fate couldn’t save them from the changing weather. It is essential to think ahead; at least these planners had a tent to sleep in at night.

Thousands of people had to catch some shuteye in sleeping bags without any cover. Some slept directly on the ground with little more than a blanket, leading to the accidental death of a 17-year-old boy. He was fast asleep in the fields when a tractor drove over him.

Judy and Jerry Griffin - Fate and a Festival

Here is a beautiful story of a happily ever after. Judy and Jerry Griffin had different plans when they headed to Woodstock. They were both making their own way, but Judy’s car broke down halfway. Lucky for her, she found Jerry, who was only too happy to give her a ride.

Many people came to enjoy the music and hopefully make some friends, but not many considered the possibility of finding lasting love at a three-day festival. Not only did Judy and Jerry spend a lot of time together during the event, but they are still together and even recreated their famous picture.

Singing in the Dark

Woodstock organizers hadn't planned with the weather in mind as it was raining throughout the festival. Though it didn't affect the crowd much, the bands were sure in trouble. It's not easy to give an extraordinary performance when one must deal with technical glitches and damaged equipment thanks to the constant downpour.

"Grateful Dead" had to endure long delays before beginning their set. Due to technical issues, they didn't even have proper lighting for their performance. However, they managed to pull off a 90-minute appearance despite facing several problems. That said, judging from this photo, it seems they're doing just okay.

Johnny Winter Gives the Crowd What They Want

Hear us out; there's something about the letter J. So many Woodstock performers had names beginning with that letter, and the more J's one had in their name, the better performers they were. Blues legend Johnny Winter is one of those many artists, and he was a force to reckon with on stage. Coincidence? We think not!

Winter treated the screaming crowd to hit songs like "Mama Talk to Your Daughter," "Mean Town Blues," and "Tell the Truth." Looking at this picture, it's pretty clear that the crowds were having the time of their life. We're sure those of them still with us continue to remember his performance.

Psychedelic Jam and Santana

Carlos Santana is a Grammy Award-winning artist, and he's known worldwide for his exceptional guitar skills. That is why it's hard to believe he hallucinated through one of his best sets at Woodstock. Of course, some might argue that such an experience could help an artist perform better.

No one can tell from only looking at this photo that Santana was, in fact, pretty high at the time. Here he merely looks like he's really into the music. He was the frontrunner of a psychedelic jam band named after himself. Despite being one of the least known bands at the festival, they made a lasting impression.

Mountain - Southbound Train

The band Mountain opened up their set with "Blood Of The Sun," followed by a cover of T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday." Theirs was an exclusive blues genre performance, and many of the audience lost their enthusiasm and excitement. That is when they decided to kick things up a notch.

They ended their main set with the hit "Dreams Of Milk and Honey," and now the crowd didn't want to let them go just yet. And how could they when they had hundreds of thousands of people clamoring for an encore? Mountain performed "Southbound Train," and the people were blown away by their fantastic set.

Country Joe and the Fish - Unique Name, Great Music

When a band makes good music, does their name matter? We can argue in favor of the band Country Joe & The Fish. Although they managed to blow away the audience, things didn't start too well for them on the third day of Woodstock.

The organizers had scheduled them to perform their set at the end of Joe Cocker's performance, but that's when the rain decided it was time to come crashing down. The crowd waited for three hours. But after the long delay, the band finally played several fan favorites like "Love," "Silver and Gold," and "The Love Machine," and the audience loved every minute.

Grateful Dead's Performance Is Interrupted by Glitches

Nobody judges an artist more harshly than they judge themselves. They know the extent of their talent and quickly notice when they fall short. In an interview, Jerry Garcia revealed that his band, "Grateful Dead," had played a bad set at Woodstock. And he meant what he said.

However, it wasn't all his fault, and the rain had a huge role in this. There was also a poor setup and too many people on stage to blame. But even with all those shortcomings, they still treated the audience to a rousing performance. Their energetic turn on stage managed to get the back crowd going.

Kids Like to Party, Too!

We’re sure this little one must now be grown up and fondly remembers her time at Woodstock. She is enjoying the music and having a ballast. Not many children were present since it was mostly an adult event, but some hippies also brought their children along with them.

We want to think that parents who brought their kids along to Woodstock couldn’t afford to pay a sitter for three-to-four days. Or maybe Grandma and Grandpa needed some time alone. Fortunately, organizers expected there might be some kids coming, so they made preparations. Who says only adults get to have a good time, anyway?

The Who Persevered Despite Setbacks

 

When they started their set on day two, "The Who" band members were not in a good mood. Who would be if they had to wait for 12 whole hours before they could finally get on stage and begin their performance? Some backstage mishaps further compounded that long wait.

The band's frontman Pete Townsend was justifiably angry, and the first thing he did when he got on stage was to kick the camera crew off. Then they performed one of the best sets of the festival. All that pent-up anger helped and their performance of the 1965 anthem, "My Generation," made headlines.

Ravi Shankar Was a Classical Indian Treat

Indian classical music was all the rage during the hippie era, and Ravi Shankar single-handedly popularized the sitar and classical Indian raga in America. He was an international superstar, and his performance at Woodstock was a big hit. Shankar's troupe included Maya Kulkarni, seen here with the tamboura, and Alla Rakha on the tabla.

His set lasted 42 minutes, and they performed seated cross-legged on the floor on a carpet. Shankar loved playing in the rain. However, he wasn't happy that his music was associated with illicit substance use. Nonetheless, Shankar's performance was good enough to be released as a live album the following year.

Jefferson Airplane Waited All Night Long

Grace Slick and her "Jefferson Airplane" bandmates delivered a heavy dose of morning maniac music. They had to wait all night to perform first thing Sunday morning, so it's a miracle that they could keep their white clothes looking clean.

They started with their cover of Fred Neil's "The Other Side of This Life," which was pretty standard for the time. After the crowd got in the zone, they launched into some of their biggest hits like "Somebody to Love." Despite constantly getting tin shocks from the microphone due to poor technical grounding, it's evident Slick was really into her performance.

Jefferson Airplane's Hardcore Music at 7 AM

The band Jefferson Airplane started as a folk-rock project, and later they developed their own unique sound. They pioneered a new unique style of music that has come to be known as 'psychedelic rock' since then.

Add in some defiance and an independent political stance, and you get the perfect act to perform at Woodstock for a bunch of politically defiant people. So even though they began their set at 7 am, their music was still hardcore and maniacal. It was perfect for getting the crowds on their feet and a fabulous start to the rest of the day's festivities.

Melanie Safka - First Lady of Woodstock

The first time Melanie Safka performed in front of a large crowd was at Woodstock. She was starting her career, so this was a lifetime opportunity. Of course, she must have been a bit nervous, given how new she was to the scene.

Though it isn't apparent from the photo, it was raining cats and dogs when Safka stepped up to the stage that night. She was one of the few solo acts and performed "Close to It All," "Momma Momma," and "Mr. Tambourine Man." The rain added a further ethereal effect to her music, a befitting touch for someone called the First lady of Woodstock.

How to Catch a Ride

Not everyone who made it to Woodstock came in their cars. Some hitchhiked along the way so they wouldn’t miss this event of a lifetime. But getting to the campground was only half the trouble, and they had to do the same again when it was time to go back.

This girl found a creative way to hitch a ride back to New York and knew she would get everyone’s attention with her daring approach. We’re sure the move worked in her favor. We only hope she eventually got her clothes back on when before reaching the city. As they say, when in Rome...

Creedence Clearwater Revival Faded Into Obscurity

The band Creedence Clearwater Revival chose not to have the recordings of their performances included in the Woodstock film. That is one reason they faded into obscurity, at least in Woodstock history. Because of this, many people don't know that they even performed at the festival.

Their set lasted for an hour or so, and they sang some of their greatest hits like "Bad Moon Rising," "Proud Mary," and "Green River." Despite being one of the highest-ranking bands on the music chart, Woodstock was way beyond what any of them had expected. Unfortunately for them, their history at the festival has faded.

Leslie West - A Natural Talent! 

Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, and Steve Knight named their band after West's solo album, "Mountain." They performed in three shows on the West Coast, and afterward, they headed East for their fourth performance. Lucky for them, despite the bad weather and long traffic jams, they made it to Woodstock and got to sing.

They didn't have widespread fame of bands like The Band or musical acts like Jimi Hendrix and Joe Cocker. Mountain was lucky and talented enough to perform for a crowd of around half a million. As the picture shows, West was utterly delighted to play with his band at Woodstock's coveted evening slot.

Bob Dylan & The Band's Unfortunate Backing Off

Bob Dylan and his band, The Band, were all over promotional photos and posters for Woodstock. As one of the music industry's most famous entertainers, many people showed up just for him. He may have brought in the crowds, but fans didn't see him play as Dylan never made it due to an unfortunate motorcycle accident.

But despite their disappointment, the crowd gave The Band a warm reception. Their performance was well-received even without the presence of Dylan. However, like several other musical acts from the event, they also later refused to be associated with both the festival and their well-received appearance.

Who Doesn't Love Fringe?

The '60s had a lot of trends going on. Fringe was one of them. Artists like Jimmy Hendrix, who adopted the look, helped increase the popularity of fringed clothes. Yes, fans trying to look like their favorite celebrities isn't a habit that only originated with the present generations.

Even people in the '60s looked up to the stars for inspiration. This young girl here seems to be busy having the time of her life in that top to bottom fringed look. The beads add another fun element to her suede outfit. We only hope she fared well when the rain came pouring down.

Throwback to the '50s

Sha Na Na was a rock and roll tribute band made up of Columbia University students, and they were the most unusual band present at Woodstock. They looked nothing like the hippies seen in the crowd or on stage. Even though it was the swinging '60s, Sha Na Na brought a touch of nostalgia and performed parodies from the '50s.

But those differences mattered little once they began their set, treating the audience to hits like "Get a Job" and "His Latest Flame." The crowd loved them for being so unique. It was also a nostalgic few hours as the '50s were a time everyone present remembered well.

Tim Hardin Was Shy on Stage

Despite being a talented and well-known musician, Tim Hardin had chronic stage fright and substance abuse problems. Both these issues made him an unreliable performer and affected his set at Woodstock. Before he got on stage, Hardin needed some liquid courage.

He was one of the few solo artists to perform on day one, but when he began playing "How Can We Hang On To A Dream?" it was at a sluggish pace, with slurred vocals. Hardin didn't manage to excite the crowd, and his nervousness was clearly showing. Because of this, he preferred to keep his eyes closed, as seen in the picture.

Canned Heat Were an Audience Favorite

One of the best things the people at Woodstock heard was following Canned Heat's 30-minute extended rendition of "Fried Hockey Boogie." It was one of the festival's most thunderous and sustained ovations, and the crowd couldn't get enough of them. Everyone present wanted more, and Canned Heat was more than happy to oblige their wish.

They responded with an all-out version of "On The Road Again" and later combined the performance with intense guitar solos from Harvey Mandel and Alan Wilson. Canned Heat was all the audience wanted to hear, and they brought the house down before ending the night.

Blood, Sweat & Tears Succumbed to the Humidity

The weather at Woodstock proved a problem for more than one act. The air humidity caused many issues for the jazz-rock group Blood, Sweat & Tears. They chose to sing the song "More and More" to begin their set that morning on day three of Woodstock, and they followed it with a cover of Randy Newman's "Just One Smile."

It could have been an outstanding performance had it not been marred by a poor horn section intonation. They tried to move past the technical problems caused by the weather, and the crowd was encouraging. However, Blood Sweat & Tears refused to participate in the Woodstock documentary or album later.