Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Woodstock and Altamont at Forty


Forty years ago today, Woodstock wrapped up with Jimi Hendrix playing an electric voodoo version of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Woodstock and Altamont (December 6, 1969) are both thought of best, I think, in the context of their times, and not placed in a mystical vacuum.

While reading Nixonland, here's another perspective -- Rob Kirkpatrick's 1969: The Year Everything Changed (2009). And here's a link to his cool blog:

http://www.robkirkpatrick.com/blog/

Going from the book cover, I'd say IGGY AND THE STOOGES are the winners in terms of shifting cultural embrace over the decades -- probably the least recognized of cultural icons in 1969 at the time . . . I dig!



Life magazine put out this special edition on Woodstock in 1969.


Rolling Stone's LET IT BLEED issue, early 1970.



The Criterion Collection DVD version of Albert & David Maysles & Charlotte Zwerin's documentary, Gimme Shelter (1970), with special features.

A salute to JC for his recent nod to Jimi Hendrix and Woodstock, and congrats on finishing his Ph.D!

Today's Rune: The Mystery Rune.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks man! I'm actually listening to "Are You Experienced" at this moment. It's Jimi talkin', baby!

JC

Sidney said...

They had a rock festival near my home town in Louisiana a couple of years after Woodstock. Nobody quite understood what it was, but it was a bit scandalous and heavily reported on the news when I was a kid.

Hard to believe it's all been so long.

Charles Gramlich said...

I almost bought a book on Iggy last night.

the walking man said...

I have to agree with Kirkpatrick's title. 1969 was the year that changed everything. One of the crossroads times where now with the distance that has passed we can look back and see how we got to where we are by the societal/cultural choices we made then.

jodi said...

Erik, I was fascinated by the whole Woodstock festival, but I was too young to go. Now I would be too old!