Woodstock Turns 57: See Iconic Photos From the Legendary 1969 Music Festival
The Woodstock Music & Art Fair was held 57 years ago, from August 15 to 18, 1969, in Bethel, New York. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered for the historic music festival, which became a defining moment of the 1960s counterculture.
Woodstock was revived for its 25th anniversary in 1994 and again for its 30th in 1999. But neither came close to capturing the magic or cultural impact of the original.
The original Woodstock — billed “3 Days of Peace & Music” — was the most important musical event of the decade, if not the century, with the biggest lineup of musicians ever to appear at a single concert. The festival boasted a now-legendary lineup that included Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival (who were the first to be signed, prompting other well-known groups to follow), The Who, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Joe Cocker, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, among many others.
Magic was made, as most of the bands that played had some of the most historic moments of their careers, including Jimi Hendrix, who ended the initial three-day event, which turned into a four-day event, with the guitar-ripping rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” where sadly only a mere 40,000 fans were still around to see.
Despite torrential rains, the mud, and the notorious brown acid, the weekend lodged itself in the public consciousness as the zenith of the youth movement. Look back at some of the best moments of this legendary event.
People on their way to the Woodstock.
Richie Havens kicked things off with a three hour set.
Traffic jams getting into the festival were more than 20 miles long.
Arlo Guthrie famously sang a soulful rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
Joan Baez was six months pregnant when she performed in the wee hours of Day 1.
The then-relatively unknown Carlos Santana played an explosive 11-minute version of “Soul Sacrifice,” launching Santana into international stardom.
Canned Heat played their iconic hits “Going Up the Country” and “On the Road Again.”
Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, just hanging out.
John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival brought the band’s signature swamp-rock sound to Woodstock.
The Who played most of the rock opera Tommy after major delays.
Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane played an early-morning set rather than the band’s scheduled Saturday headlining slot.
Joe Cocker was an unknown at the time and became everyone’s friend after famously covering the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends.”
People waiting for the music during the many rain delays.
Festivalgoers camping in the elements.
Alvin Lee of the British blues band Ten Years After gave a career-defining performance.
Funk pioneers Sly & the Family Stone took everyone higher, even during their 3:30 a.m. time slot.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young played their second concert ever at Woodstock.
Peace, Love and Happiness as crowds literally soak in the music.
A couple on the field.
John Sebastian of The Lovin’ Spoonful was there as a spectator until he was pulled onstage to play an acoustic set during a rain delay.
The whole event was released as a documentary film in 1970 by Michael Wadleigh, with a then-unknown Martin Scorsese serving as an assistant editor.
Where Are They Now? Music Legends
July/August 2025
They rocked and rolled us, they shredded, they head-slammed and they crooned, but what happened to them and where are they now?
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