Woodstock: The Oral History

"The definitive study of the mega-concert."--Rolling Stone "Woodstock comes alive here, even if the music itself seems almost incidental to the backstage dramas." Publishers Weekly Woodstock: the Oral History is the definitive, electrifying account of the rock festival that shook the world and defined a generation. In 1969 four young men had a dream: to produce the greatest rock concert ever held. Little did the group--two budding entrepreneurs who really wanted to write sitcoms, a former head shop proprietor turned rock band manager, and a record company executive who smoked hash in his office--know how enormous a reality their dream would become. Woodstock: The Oral History is the fascinating story of how it all came together--and almost fell apart--told exclusively in the voices of the men and women who made it happen. It's the adventures of a ragtag bunch of businessmen and bohemians, of hippies, hucksters, handymen, and hangers-on, working against all odds to unite a generation for one wild, glorious weekend in August 1969. These pages are replete with vibrantly expressive stories and voices, featuring a wonderfully eccentric cast of characters, from producers and performers, doctors and cops, to journalists, filmmakers, electricians, neighbors--and, of course, thousands of blessed out, rain-soaked flower children. You'll get behind-the-scenes stories from such people as David Crosby, Abbie Hoffman, Miriam Yasgur (who, along with her husband, Max, owned the land on which the festival was held) , Richie Havens, Wavy Gravy, Paul Kantner, Chip Monck, and a host of others. Woodstock: The Oral History is the one truly authoritative volume--the definitive oral history of this momentous event. This special 40th anniversary edition features a new introduction by Michael Lang, one of the original producers of Woodstock, as well as updated information on the people who made the music festival happen.