447 Gates Ave, New York City, NY NATIONAL REVIEW By: Jered Yagi Published: August 20, 1969 WOODSTOCK: CHAOS OF COUNTER-CULTURE THE CRAZINESS THAT WAS WOODSTOCK, 1969 WOODSTOCK, NY In what is being described as the peak of counter-culture, the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival took place from August 1518 where I witnessed the performances that echoed across the fields of fans. SANTANA: SOUL SACRIFICE Naked man sitting atop a tree playing a guitar during Woodstock ‘69 SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PHENOMENON? Woodstock was the personification of the counter-culture movement that has been circulating in American society this decade. The 3-day campaign was a rebellion against our traditional values and a rejection of our wellestablished norms. It became a symbol of our youth’s disapproval in terms of the current state of politics and society. This was their stand against authority, their expression of new liberal qualities to make a statement against the war and conservative ideologies. When was the last time our country had an upheaval this big? Will this crazed group bring the change that they fight for, or will America keep its peace and conformity? Musician Carlos Santa (right) and bassist for band “Santana”, David Brown (left) perform with other band members on August 16 One of the standout performances was by Santana, whose Latin-infused rock brought a unique sound to the scene. With songs like "Soul Sacrifice" and "Waiting," Santana's music kept this crazed crowd engaged and excited. The music, however, seemed to show dissonance with an unorthodox blend of beats that represented their “counter-culture”. As impressive as their guitar playing is, it only contributed more to the cacophony of this concert. “Soul Sacrifice” was the band’s most prized rendition. The ecstatic screams of the guitar and the precision of percussion were remarkable. The power of the performance is notable to anyone, no matter their beliefs. The message this song conveys shows the group's inspired minds. This performance was more than just a song, it was an invention that symbolized the departure of this ragged group from societal norms and the embracement of a very free-spirited lifestyle created by counter-culture. Another noteworthy performance was the exciting rush created by their song “Waiting”. The song brings an energy to the crowd that has never been seen before. The people listening to the music were like wild animals. The song represented a more symbolic significance than the other songs in which it reminded the crowd to still cherish some of their current values despite the change that they so desperately wanted. JIMI HENDRIX: A REAL ENDING TO A SHOW Jimi Hendrix is the embodiment of the guitar. He closed out this massive event with a performance that can only be described as transcendental. His mastery of psychedelic rock brings your mind to its own palace, and that is exactly what Hendrix does to the thousands of fans in the crowd. His own rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” infused the counter-culture within American pride. He and his guitar alone represent an entire community of people who wish for changes in society. Hendrix delivered a feast to this hungry crowd, enveloping them in his own world. Songs like “Purple Haze, “Fox Lady”, and “Fire” were met with wild, animalistic cheers howled from the crowd. The spiritual experience that resonated with the crowd could only be understood through the distorted guitar solos of Hendrix. His music represents the culture’s search for change and purpose in American life. In the words of an audience member, Hendrix “didn’t just play music; he channeled the spirit of an entire generation”. Jimi Hendrix standing in front of the thousands at Woodstock CULTURAL EFFECT FROM THIS UNORTHODOX EVENT This unprecedented gathering of over half a million youthful men and women has greatly altered the ideas of our society. Their fight for peace and love, for better or for worse, has sparked new ideologies like counterculture. In the middle of this chaotic event, there is one single symbolization and purpose above all others: the questioning of the societal foundation of the United States. These young, talented minds are questioning the conservative values that many people in America hold onto for dear life. The question is, will this change in society bring good or bad effects to America? One can’t deny the enchanting music that the Hippies have displayed so clearly here, but the music stands for a movement that rejects the ideologies that citizens have lived off of for decades. What will happen to the traditional moral values and standards? This event very clearly demonstrated the new generational divide within American society. The clash between the young who want to express themselves freely and the older more conservative and progressive generation has never been more exemplified than now. The three-day-long festival became somewhat of a battleground which one attendee explained as “the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, a new era where love and understanding will prevail”. On the more respectable side of perspectives, a scholar expressed the concern that “idealism is wonderful, but it must be tempered with pragmatism. We can’t build a sustainable future on dreams alone”. Reporting after viewing Woodstock, Jered Yagi National Review
