Woodstock
Jimi Hendrix
It was 40 years ago that the original Woodstock Music & Art Fair took place at Max Yasgur’s 600-acre dairy farm in rural Bethel, New York. The festival took place from Aug. 15-18, 1969.
Thirty-two acts performed for about half a million concertgoers during the weekend. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest moments in popular music history and was listed on Rolling Stone’s 50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock and Roll.
Among the performers: Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, Santana, Jefferson Airplance, CCR, The Who, Grateful Dead, Sly & the Family Stone, Blood Sweat and Tears.
Joe Cocker’s memorable Woodstock performance of “A Little Help From My Friends”
Santana “Soul Sacrifice”
Jimi Hendrix “Purple Haze”
Summertime
Ah, summer! ugh, humidity! Whether you love the summer sun and fun or you suffer from the summertime blues, there’s a song for it. It seems that of the four seasons, summer, and its related activities, is the subject of the most songs. This theory excludes the genre of holiday songs, where winter is often mentioned. I’ve chosen some off the top of my head and welcome more suggestions from you.
We’ll begin with the California group that sang extensively about summer fun and named themselves after the number one place to spend summer days – The Beach Boys.
The Mamas & The Papas
John, Michelle (who epitomized the California girl), Mama Cass, and Denny needed no instruments. Their harmonies were angelic. The foursome’s greatest success came with the anthemic California Dreamin’. Check it out below.
Other summer songs:
Summer in the City – Lovin’ Spoonful
Hot Fun in the Summertime – Sly & The Family Stone
In The Summeritme – Mungo Jerry
Heatwave – Martha & the Vandellas
Summer Nights – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
Summer Breeze – Seals & Croft
4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) – Bruce Springsteen
Girls In Their Summer Clothes -Bruce Springsteen
Summertime – Janis Joplin
Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams
Summertime – Sublime
Summer Love – Justin Timberlake
Summertime – Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff
Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran
Please send me comments with more suggestions, and we’ll make this list longer throughout the summer.
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain was born on this day – February 20 – in 1967. He died in April 1994, joining the 27 Club, which included Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin.
Nirvana’s 1991 Smells Like Teen Spirit marked the beginning of a shift in popular rock music – away from metal and hard rock, and dance – toward grunge and alternative rock. That song was the anthem of Generation X, for which Cobain became a reluctant spokesperson and role model.
Even though Nirvana was around for only a handful of years, its music defined a generation and is still relevant 14 years after Cobain’s passing. His legendary status lives on.
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