The famed Woodstock festival began 55 years ago today (August 15, 1969), in the town of Bethel, New York. The three-day event was one of the defining moments of the hippie era. It featured unforgettable performances by some of the world’s biggest rock artists, and some who soon would be.
The festival’s first day of performances began in the late afternoon of August 15. Partly because of delays caused by the rainy conditions, it wound up stretching in the wee hours of August 16.
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[RELATED: The 6 Most Iconic Performances at the Original Woodstock]
Day one of Woodstock featured some well-known artists, and also showcased some lesser-known acts. Folk singers Richie Havens and Joan Baez, respectively, opened and closed the first day of performances. In between, Sweetwater, Bert Sommer, Tim Hardin, Ravi Shankar, Melanie, and Arlo Guthrie hit the stage.
While most music fans probably are mainly familiar with the performances featured in the Oscar-winning 1970 Woodstock concert film or the companion soundtrack album. There also were many noteworthy performances that didn’t appear in the movie or on the record, though.
To mark the anniversary of the launch of the Woodstock festival, here are four noteworthy performances from that day that you might not have seen or heard:
“Strawberry Fields Forever”/“Hey Jude” – Richie Havens
Havens famously was the first artist to perform at Woodstock. He agreed to open the festival after the rock band Sweetwater were delayed on the way to the event. Richie, who was a respected folk artist from the New York City scene, played a 10-song set.
Two of those songs were featured in the Woodstock film, his 1966 anti-war protest song “Handsome Johnny” and “Freedom (Motherless Child).” Havens created the latter tune spontaneously at the event because he’d run out of material to play, combining an impromptu jam with the old spiritual “Motherless Child.” It became perhaps the song for which he’s best known.
Havens’ Woodstock set also included a cool medley combining two classic Beatles songs, “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Hey Jude.” Richie’s performance is highlighted by his gravelly but powerful vocals and hypnotic guitar strumming. Havens had recorded a studio version of “Strawberry Fields Forever” for his then-latest album, Richard P. Havens, 1983.
“Jennifer” – Bert Sommer
Sommer was a 20-year-old singer/songwriter who had just released one album, The Road to Travel, when he played Woodstock. When the band Sweetwater was delayed arriving at the event, Sommer was asked if he would open the festival, but he refused to go on first. He wound up performing third, after Havens and Sweetwater.
Sommer was not featured in the Woodstock film or on the original soundtrack. His 10-song set featured mostly songs from The Road to Travel. It also included a cover of the Simon & Garfunkel tune “America,” and Bert is said to have received the first standing ovation of the festival after his performance.
One of the originals Sommer sang from his debut was “Jennifer,” and excellent footage of his performance can be viewed on YouTube. His strong vocals are reminiscent of Robert Plant and, perhaps, Jeff Buckley. Sommer looks like the quintessential hippie, with a wild nest of brown hair flowing a headband.
The musician wrote the song about Jennifer Warnes, whom he dated and who had been a cast member with him in a production of the famous flower-power musical Hair.
“If I Were a Carpenter” – Tim Hardin
Singer/songwriter Hardin was the fourth artist to perform at Woodstock, although none of his songs were featured in the movie or original soundtrack album.
Hardin played a 10-song set that included a strong version his classic 1966 tune “If I Were a Carpenter.” You can check out footage of Tim’s performance on YouTube, showcasing his smooth and deep voice and finger-picking skills.
Bobby Darin had scored a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with a cover of “If I Were a Carpenter” in 1966. Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded a duet version of the tune in 1969 that reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and later won a Grammy.
Hardin does appear briefly in the Woodstock movie. Appearing stoned, he chats briefly somewhere on the concert grounds as a motorcycle zooms by in the background.
“I Shall Be Released” – Joan Baez
Baez closed out Woodstock’s first day with 13-song set that ended at about 3:35 a.m. In the film, the folk legend is shown performing two tunes, the folk song “Joe Hill” and the spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” Joan also talks about her then-husband, David Harris, who had recently been arrested and jailed for draft dodging.
Early in her set, Baez performed a powerful cover of Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released.” Joan belts out the song with her clear, nearly operatic voice. You can check out high-res footage of her performance on YouTube.
A studio version of “I Shall Be Released” is featured on Baez’s 1968 double album Any Day Now, which is made up entirely of Dylan tunes.
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