By the time we got to Woodstock...
by Scott Laming
From 15-18 August, 1969 Max Yasgur′s dairy farm in rural New York became the centre of the counter culture movement of the 1960s. Somewhere between 400,000 and 500,000 people migrated from across the continent to watch the top folk and rock ‘n' roll acts of the day (including the late Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin), and experience what has been described as the greatest concert of all time.
The early planning of the festival was chaotic, with protests and other hurdles forcing the organisers to relocate to Bethel, NY from the original Woodstock location. The whole project nearly ground to a halt on several occasions, but with some tenacity and blind luck the event actually happened. The concert was originally designed as a for profit venture, with over 180,000 advance tickets selling. But as the festival began concert organisers quickly realised they were about to be overrun by patrons and famously opened the gates declaring Woodstock to be a free concert which caused even more patrons to rush to the site in an effort to witness some of the greatest performers of their generation play the greatest show on Earth.
We have selected 15 books written by the artists who played at The Woodstock Festival. The books are as varied as the artists themselves from Pete Townshend′s collection of short stories, Arlo Guthrie′s children′s book and the numerous biographies from a life in music.
Books by the Artists
They Can't Hide Us Anymore
Richie Havens
A biography of Richie Havens from his multitude of records, opening the Woodstock festival and his non-profit work outside his life in music.
Searching for the Sound: My Life in the Grateful Dead
Phil Lesh
Lesh provides insight into what it was like touring and playing with the Grateful Dead.
Since Then: How I Survived Everything and Lived to Tell About It
David Crosby
Memoir which delves into Crosby's personal life as well his time with Stills, Nash and Young.
Mooses Come Walking (children′s book)
Arlo Guthrie
Singer/songwriter Arlo Guthrie's lyrics come alive in this illustrated version of his folk song Mooses Come Walking.
And a Voice to Sing With: Memoir
Joan Baez
Baez was pregnant when she performed on the first day at Woodstock; this 1989 memoir covers her life as a folk star.
Garcia: A Signpost to New Space
Jerry Garcia
An amazing look into the mind of one of the most interesting musicians of our time.
Raga Mala
Ravi Shankar
A record of the life of the world famous sitar virtuoso who opened the eyes of so many westerners to the amazing sounds of India.
Horses Neck (collection of short stories)
Pete Townshend
A collection of short stories from The Who guitarist.
Bass Culture: The John Entwistle Bass Collection
John Entwistle
A coffee table book showing dozens of guitars and basses from the private collection of The
Who′s John Entwistle.
Somebody to Love: A Rock & Roll Memoir
Grace Slick
Jefferson Airplane′s charismatic lead singer recounts her life though the 60s and 70s.
This Wheel's on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band
Levon Helm
From backing Dylan to playing for President Clinton, Helm covers the history of The Band.
Greendale
Neil Young
Since playing Woodstock and being called the godfather of grunge, Young has become one of the most influential musicians of our age.
Something Good for a Change: Random Notes on Peace Thru Living
Wavy Gravy
The Clown and entertainer who has become synonymous with Woodstock.
Pathways to Peace (gave invocation of Festival)
Swami Satchidananda
Indian spiritual teacher who gave the invocation of the Woodstock Festival.
Dance of the Rainbow Serpent (guitar tablature)
Carlos Santana
Tablature from one of the greatest guitar players to ever pick up the axe.
Enjoy these rockstars? Check out our Books Signed by the Rich and Famous.