21 Photo Showing How Wild Woodstock Really Got
Woodstock, the most hippie event to have ever happened, ran from August 15 to 18, 1969. It included appearances by such musical legends as Jimi Hendrix and Creedence Clearwater Revival. What the depictions of the “three days of peace and music” leave out are the huge logistical problems involved. Instead of the expected 50,000, about a half a million attendees turned up. Roads were clogged for miles (made worse by rains and mud), food, water and sanitation shortages were rampant, and the Air Force had to help with helicopter airlifts.
Woodstock Music & Art Fair was organized by Michael Lang, John P. Roberts, Joel Rosenman, Artie Kornfeld, and held in the field of farmer Max Yasgur. The festival took between $2.4 million and $3.1 million to produce while bringing in $1.8 million from ticket sales. The producers did make money from the movie and the soundtrack of the festival, but Roberts has said that it took him till 1980’s to repay the debts.
(h/t: buzzfeed. distractify)
Woodstock ran from August 15th to 18th, 1969. Jimi Hendrix and other musical notables made appearance.
Image source: theredlist.com
The organizers expected 50,000. They peaked at over 400,000.
Image source: epicrights.com
Image source: LIFE
Image source: Getty
The roads were soon clogged with traffic jams as people flooded the festival.
Image source: Getty Images
Food, water and sanitation was scarce.
Image source: Getty
Image source: Woodstock
Despite it all, only two deaths were recorded: one from heroin overdose, and one from tractor riding over a sleeping attendee.
Image source: Getty Images
There were also two births: in a car caught in the traffic jam, and one after an airlift to a hospital.
Image source: Henry Diltz
Image source: Woodstock
Image source: Woodstock
While many greats like Janis Joplin appeared, other declined for various reasons. Jethro Tull, for example, had a dislike of hippies and concerns over public nudity.
Image source: Henry Diltz / Corbis
Image source: Woodstock
Image source: Tucker Ransom/Stringer
Image source: AP
Due to unusable roads, medicine had to be flown in via helicopter.
Image source: AP
To combat food and water price hikes, both the organizers and local sheriff organized free food and water relief efforts.
Image source: AP
Image source: AP
Image source: AP
Going out was no easier than getting in: many had to walk or hitchhike.
Image source: AP
Image source: Three Lions / Stringer
Got wisdom to pour?