The Woodstock Music and Arts Festival of 1969 was something else. It took place in August 1969 in Bethel, New York, and had over 30 different artists on the stage. On the estate of Max Yasgur near Bethel, New York, it was a three-day event that featured some of the biggest musicians of the day which included, The Grateful Dead, Joan Baez, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and many other rockstars.
Most of the performer at the music festival was rock stars who had a great career. However, Janis was the only one among all the musicians who had a number-one hit in her career. Note to be taken, her song, ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 only after Janis’ death in 1970.
Sly & the Family Stone was the only group to enter Woodstock with a number-one song to their credit. One of the most well-known bands in America at the time, the soul-pop-rock hybrid ensemble revolutionized some of the time’s typical band compositions by mixing genders and races.
The Family Stone was supposed to be on the stage on Saturday along with Jefferson Airplane and The Who but the rain delayed their entry. They took the stage at 3:30 am in the morning. Sly & the Family Stone had the distinction of performing the only number one song at the Woodstock festival: “Everyday People,” yet they are most known for their captivating audience participation in “I Want to Take You Higher.” The song perfectly encapsulated the spirit of Woodstock and still resonates with listeners today.
CCR had hard luck back then. They had five songs that reached number two on the chart and not a single one peaked at number one. During their performance at Woodstock, Creedence featured their first number-two hit. Back in February 1969, ‘Everyday People’ was the number-one song on the chart. CCR’s ‘Proud Mary’ was number two.
People from all over the country traveled to the event to take in the music, the ambiance, and the sense of camaraderie. The festival marked a significant turning point in music history and was a celebration of freedom, love, and peace. As one of the most important concerts of the 20th century and a representation of the counterculture movement, Woodstock is still remembered today.
