Back to the Garden

It was 4o years ago today ... that Max Yasgur's Farm finally cleared out after three days of music, love, peace, and a whole lot of rain. I wasn't there (give me a break, I was only 7 at the time!), but I have always had a fascination with that whole era in general and that event in particular. I've watched the "Woodstock" movie countless times, so it was a real treat to receive a review copy of The Woodstock Story Book, a collection of nearly 300 photos from the festival—including some from the days before and after, during the set-up and clean-up efforts.

Photographer Barry Levine shot roll after roll of film, until his shutter-finger and advance-knob-thumb were blistered. There are familiar photos we've all seen over the years, but there are also many never-before-seen shots of everyone from Jerry Garcia to Joan Baez to The Band and much more. I can't stop looking at them, but I find myself equally drawn to the images of the people who came to hear the music and just be part of the experience.

The book also contains the "story" of Woodstock told in verse (written by Linanne Sackett); this is really lame stuff and adds nothing at all to the book. No text is needed when you've got photos like these!

Many thanks to the Online Publicist for the opportunity to pore over these wonderful photos! You can learn more about the book here.

Comments

[Susan]

I didn't go either though I was 17 not 7. I can just imagine what my parents would have said had I suggested going. :-) But I love the movie and also feel very attached to that whole era.

[TheNag]

I was 15 and I drove down with 2 friends. We parked miles away from the site and eventually drove back to Montreal having seen nothing. Bummer.

[margalit]

I did go, and I was 17. I went with my next door neighbor and his college friends (I had just graduated high school), and it was a wonderful experience that I mostly don't remember. Let's just say that I was unable to say "No" to drugs, much to Nancy Reagan's chagrin. My neighbor was a way cool guy who turned out to be a HUGE philanthropist and supporter of PBS through his family's foundation. I've never really changed much from that idealistic 17 year old that believed in saving the world. I'm still a believer in communal living, in a village raising a child, and in loving one another. What's so wrong about peace love and understanding, anyways?