Woodstock: The Oral History (Excelsior Editions)

The definitive oral history of the Woodstock rock festival.

“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.