Decker Blog 4

I think that one of the most iconic musical moments in not just the 1960's but in the history of music would be Woodstock. Woodstock began as an idea for a music festival and the promoters developed it into what they thought was a large event planning on having 50,000 yet selling 200,000 tickets. Little did they know there would soon be over 500,000 people showing up. There was no way for the venue or the state to account for all of the people. People who came never took into account the need for shelter or food so many people came unprepared. People left their cars in the middle of the road and set out for the festival on foot hoping they would be there when it was time to leave, which possibly sparked the peace and love atmosphere Woodstock had. The roads were so blocked up the hospitals had to fly helicopters into the venue to deliver things. However despite all the bad things, so many good things happened. Woodstock attracted so many hippies and their slogan ended up being Peace and Love, and tried to prove it as a way of others seeing how truly showing peace and love can benefit everyone. I think that having 500,000 people together peacefully and enjoying life showed the rest of the world it is possible and it is enjoyable. I believe this idea and movement helped people realize what a monumental event Woodstock was and how it is considered so legendary. I think if an event similar to Woodstock were to break out today, there would be violence, theft and many other bad things. To top off the whole festival, on Monday morning with only 30,000 people left there to witness it, Jimi Hendrix performed his memorable act of the Star Spangled Banner. I think having this as a closing act was symbolic because it leans towards the idea that we are all American's and if we have a mindset of peace and love then great things can be achieved.