Woodstock 1969 the First Festival by Elliott Landy - 2009

This unique book is a collection of over 180 photographs (colour and black & white) with text that affectionately chronicles what it was like to have been at this historic event held at Max Yasgur's 600-acre farm in Bethel (about 100 miles from New York City) from 15th-18th August 1969 - it was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. There was nothing like it before and there has been nothing like it since. The thousands of revellers that flooded to the event shared, laughed, got wet, shared some more, listened, napped, ate, talked, sang and shared some more. Rainstorms failed to dampen their spirits - many high on marijuana, some dancing naked in the muddy fields. Performers who came and went via helicopter (as it was the only way in or out) included: The Who, Richard Havens, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Melanie, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, John Sebastian, Arlo Guthrie, Ravi Shankar, Joan Baez and Blood Sweat and Tears. Woodstock was an indication of the way we could progress by interacting with each other, a way of co-existing together, and a way of life sadly lost today. It was a statement to all disbelievers that with collective energy and social harmony, problems could be solved, and by understanding and embracing the values of the Woodstock generation, the world could be a better place.