"By the time I got to Woodstock,
there were half a million strong."--
Joni Mitchell, "Woodstock"
No, dears, I did not get to Woodstock THEN, but I have been there SINCE.
The place has become so iconic, especially now that we are celebrating 50 years (Can you believe it! When it happened, I was 14! Now I am 64! I never dreamed such a thing would be possible!) that it calls for me to paraphrase one of Dorothy Parker's most famous quotes--
"If everyone who said they'd been to Woodstock, were laid end to end, I wouldn't be at all surprised!"
That is, more claim to have been to Woodstock than have. I actually know four people--whom I shall not name, but were actually there.
On Woodstock Saturday, fifty years before, without my parents' knowledge, I took it upon myself to dress up in my tie dye shirt, floppy hat, guitar, and try to thumb my way there. I actually made it to the Jersey Turnpike, which was jammed, and began hitching. I thought I was on my way.
Fate intervened. Two friends of my parents, coming home from somewhere, spotted me, and dragged me into the car, took me home, where my outraged parents promptly sent me to my room. I listened to it on the radio, there!
Forty four years later, in 2013, while visiting friends with David, I finally made it to Woodstock. I was walked out to wear the stage was, and, a cappella, started doing a couple of songs. And people gathered to listen.
So, darlings, I have done some sets at Woodstock. There were other visits.
How I wish I could have been there. Fifty years, and I am not about to forget.
Here is the most famous image of Woodstock. We all know it, darlings!!!!!!!!!!
Grace Slick, doing "White Rabbit," and "Volunteers!"
Happy Woodstock 50, everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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