The 1960s was a completely different period for the whole world. On the one hand, wars and conflicts continued, on the other hand, anti-war youth were growing up. The only concern of these young people, called hippies, was sex, drugs, music and peace. The places where these people gathered together were the music festivals, which were very popular at that time. No one could have predicted that one of them, the 1969 Woodstock music festival, would go down in history.
Woodstock is a small town in the US state of New York. Most people didn’t even know the name of this place until the 1969 Woodstock music festival. The organizers of the festival planned to open a music studio with the money they had earned by selling several thousand tickets. However, something happened that even they did not expect, and this happened in the history of the world. Let’s take a closer look at the 1969 Woodstock music festival and see interesting information about what happened during this period.
First, what is the 1969 Woodstock music festival?
Although it is known as the 1969 Woodstock music festival, this event, which is called the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, is a music festival organized by four young people in their 20s at that time and held in the town of Woodstock, New York, USA.
The organizers had informed the authorities that a maximum of 50 thousand people would attend the festival, the ticket price of which was $18. In this festival, which took place between 15 – 18 August, many famous and famous artists would take the stage. When the festival started, 180 thousand tickets were issued. There were more than 500,000 people in the area. A lot of people tried to enter the area but were sent back.
Well, why can’t people forget this festival even after years?
Although many years have passed since the 1969 Woodstock music festival, the details of which will be mentioned shortly, the biggest reason why it is not forgotten is that a documentary was shot during the festival. The 1969 Woodstock music festival documentary, shot by a team that included a young filmmaker at the time, Martin Scorsese, won an Oscar for Best Documentary in 1971.
At the 1969 Woodstock music festival, many names that were famous at that time and would become famous later on took the stage. There was no violence in this event, which was attended by more than 500 thousand people. The number of participants was a record that cannot be easily surpassed even today. With these and countless other reasons, the 1969 Woodstock music festival has become a true legend, as everything is recorded. Moreover, a festival like this could not be easily held again.
Interesting facts about the 1969 Woodstock music festival:
- Most of the attendees at the 1969 Woodstock music festival did not pay.
- The US army sent food to the region by helicopters.
- Only three people died at the 1969 Woodstock music festival, which was attended by hundreds of thousands
- The names that performed at the 1969 Woodstock music festival were true legends.
- Many Woodstock music festivals that were attempted to be rerun failed.
- Festival merchandise still makes millions of dollars a year.
The majority of attendees at the 1969 Woodstock music festival did not pay:
Before the 1969 Woodstock music festival began, about 50,000 people camped in the area. The number of tickets sold is estimated at 180 thousand. However, the festival area was neither fenced, nor solid gates, nor were there enough ticket offices. Moreover, these people were hippies who opposed the system. When this is the case, most of the more than 500 thousand people who participated in the festival attended this festival without leaving five cents out of their pockets.
The US army sent food to the region with helicopters:
Woodstock is a slightly larger town than a village. That’s why the organizers agreed with the suppliers for the necessary food. However, they did not have such a large number in mind. The food brought by the suppliers was consumed by more than 500 thousand people in one day. Although the participants of the festival tried to find food somehow, this small town did not have the strength to feed such a large crowd.
This is where the United States military stepped in. Even though they were angry with the soldiers because of the Vietnam War, the army, which helped the hippies, came to the region with helicopters and unloaded tens of thousands of sandwiches, water, fruit, canned food, and medical supplies to the region. Thanks to the arrival of military aid, the festival took one day longer than planned.
Only three people died at the 1969 Woodstock music festival, which was attended by hundreds of thousands:
One of the events that made the 1969 Woodstock music festival world history is the criminal consequences. When you bring together hundreds of thousands of drug users, you are sure that at least a few hundred people will die. However, only three people lost their lives during this festival. Two of them died due to an overdose of drugs, and one died due to a tractor running over him in the field where he slept. Several thousand injuries occurred. However, there were no other cases of violence or harassment.
The performers at the 1969 Woodstock music festival were true legends:
For three days at the 1969 Woodstock music festival, the stage was packed from morning to night. Among the names that appeared on the stage were groups such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Crosby, Still, Nash & Young, as well as names such as Carlos Santana and Joe Cocker, who will be the last stars to shine.
Jimi Hendrix appeared on stage in a costume similar to the US flag, wearing a white leather jacket with blue beads and a red bandana. He didn’t settle for that and sang the US national anthem psychedelic in his own way. This event is one of the most iconic moments of the 1960s. However, as this event took place at 10 am and many participants began to disperse, most of those present missed the event.
Many rerun Woodstock music festivals have failed:
Because the 1969 Woodstock music festival was such a success, many organizers tried to hold the Woodstock music festival again, but all failed. The 25th anniversary commemoration in 1994 was filled with corporate company sponsorships. The 30th anniversary commemoration was passed with accusations of sexual violence. Even if the 50th anniversary commemoration could not be made, it remained only an idea.
Festival merchandise still makes millions of dollars a year:
The 1969 Woodstock music festival, which passed like a dream and was witnessed by only a few hundred thousand lucky people, could not be held again, but the bread of those days is still being eaten. More than $20 million is generated each year from the memorabilia of the 1969 Woodstock music festival. At the 50th anniversary celebrations in 2019, this earnings was more than $ 100 million.
We shared interesting information about 1969 Woodstock, the unprecedented music festival that went down in world history, and shared little-known details about this event. You can share your thoughts about 1969 Woodstock and similar music festivals in the comments.
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