On This Day in Music (1969): The Woodstock Festival Began

August 15-18, 1969 Woodstock

The Woodstock Music and Art Fair, commonly referred to as Woodstock, was held on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York in 1969 from August 15 to 18. It was one of the largest musical festivals in history with over 400,000 attendees. Performers included Joan Baez, The Band, Joe Cocker, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Crosby Still Nash & Young, the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Santana, Sly & the Family Stone, and The Who. It is considered a pivotal event in music history and a defining event for the counterculture generation. As stated at the Bethel Woods Center website, “The world was rapidly changing and a group of young Americans were searching for their place within it. In that time of conflict and uncertainty, three days of peace and music seemed to be just what a divided nation needed. What began on a stage in the middle of a small New York farm field ended on the world stage…Those three days of music, mud, and memories would birth an entire cultural phenomenon.” BW Woodstock has been celebrated with a 1970 documentary, multiple albums capturing the original performances, anniversary festivals, and the song “Woodstock” by Joni Mitchell, which was famously recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. For more important days in music history, check out the Dave’s Music Database history page. Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “History Index” Dave’s Music Database: Woodstock Albums Dave’s Music Database: Woodstock “Remembered” – by Someone Who Wasn’t There BW BethelWoodsCenter.org “The Story of a Generation” WK Wikipedia.org Woodstock Wiki: Setlist First posted 8/15/2011; updated 8/24/2023.