See Me, Feel Me, Touch Me, Smell Me: Woodstock turns 40
Fuck Woodstock.
Woodstock was after the creativity and sparkle of Monterey but before the drama and era-wrapping darkness of Altamont. Musically, Woodstock is more notable for who didn’t show up rather than who did – its greatest claim to fame was that a half million people could sit in the mud and get stoned for three days without killing each other. Woodstock wasn’t protesting anything, either, which makes it all the more laughable that it’s become the centerpiece of the cottage industry of Baby Boomer self-mythology – which, of course, conveniently overlooks their utter futility: they couldn’t stop the war and they couldn’t prevent Nixon from being elected – twice. It’s nothing but a brand name at this point – the word Woodstock carries about as much cultural weight as Club Med.
That being said, Woodstock was not without its musical highlights. Like the rising stars of ’69, Creedence Clearwater Revival:
Or the dosed-to-the-gills Who’s transcendent sunrise climax to Tommy:
Regardless, here’s to the 15th anniversary of true commune between artist and audience – a moment where they became one or, to paraphrase Jimi, “the Gods made love” – which, a quarter of a century later, finally lived up to the original, intended spirit of the Woodstock concept.
That’s right – the Green Day mud fight.
*and a tip of the cap to the Dead Milkmen for the titular inspiration
Explore posts in the same categories: UncategorizedTags: Creedence Clearwater Revival, Green Day, The Who, Woodstock
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