Mr. Lang's use of a lawyer associated with our sleazy, corrupt excuse for a president does not give me any warm and fuzzy feelings about this.
2
Woodstock has been dead since 1999 at least. Miley Cyrus is headlining now and Trump's lawyer is representing the festival's legal interests. We didn't need an update. Woodstock is a decaying zombie corpse that simply refuses to die.
I mostly feel bad Watkins Glen got dragged into the mess. Nice place. You should visit. However, they have absolutely nothing to do with whatever Michael Lang, Marc Kasowitz, and Dentsu Aegis Network had in mind.
Who are these people? The name "Woodstock" is better associated with maggots than Watkins Glen. Woodstock won't even host "Woodstock." Go away.
2
Beyoncé, JayZ, Miley, etc.. Great artists, but pleeeeeez no pop or rap artists. Woodstock was rock and should stay that way. Bring ShaNaNa back though!!
1
I still have my staff pass from Woodstock ('69). It was a magical moment, born of many coincidences, such as the rush to prepare the site after the planned site suddenly became unavailable, the many talented technicians working ridiculous hours in weeks of rain and mud, the struggles to run minimal water piping around the audience area, and of course the performers in a time of musical wonder that may never happen again. Three days of mud, exhaustion and wonderful, wonderful music. Two deaths and three births. A concert in the area now is a nice idea, but it will never be Woodstock.
6
We went to a Woodstock reunion concert at Bethel a few decades ago and had a very memorable time seeing Pete Townsend jam with Taj Mahal, Joni sing a gorgeous set and the incredible Richie Havens. I’m from another era, do these listed performers actually sing live without autotune? Much of the current pop music sounds computer generated.
3
I am one of the lucky ones who was at Yasgur's farm on August 16. 1969. I never even considered attending any of the anniversary concerts. After all, how could any replica/anniversary concert compare with the original? So I am not disappointed that Mr. Lang's latest venture seems to have imploded
Nonetheless, I will visit White Lake and Bethel Woods during the upcoming anniversary. I have only returned once (in 1997) and I feel like it's time for me to "get back to the garden." I'm 71 now so I just hope it's not crowded.
7
The original Woodstock was not well planned but did it on the fly warts and all. The most amazing thing about it was the absolutely incredible music! There simply aren’t enough such outstanding groundbreaking groups today that mesmerized us all the way most in Woodstock did. Sorry, young ‘uns. The caliber and innovative level simply is not there today. Have a concert, sure, but don’t call it Woodstock. Simply cannot happen today. And let’s not forget the social upheaval that fueled the music of that era, which was a key ingredient of Woodstock. Today? Yawn.
2
This guy needs to grow up. He should have had this all organized last year. He did not. Hosting 75,000 people is a big deal that requires detailed planning, a skill Michael Lang seems to be lacking. Woodstock 99 and the recent Fyre Festival are cautionary tales. Remembering how they worked it out in the good old days with their commitment doesn't cut it.
3
I don't trust Michael Lang. I showed several large paintings at the original Woodstock festival in 1969, even won a prize, but there's nothing I've found in print or media that even says there was an art show. When I contacted Michael Lang, he also didn't remember an art show, so perhaps his memory has been compromised. I'm still trying to prove the provenance of my paintings, which could be worth big bucks.
He's right about pulling off the original Woodstock 69, though---it was a marvelous event, even though no one ever collected my tickets. I've collaged them into a painting.
1
Miley Cyrus? Good grief. It sounds horrible from the start.
There is no Janis, and all the others who made the 1969 event a place this then-12-year-old-kid was wishing she could get to.
8
ROCK ON, Michael! I sincerely hope you can make it happen this summer. If you do I'll be there. We need some new hippie magic in this dark Era of Trump.
5
I don't know why we need a Woodstock at 50. As N.Mathew says in the post, Woodstock was born in a magical moment that can never happen again. That moment is gone and can never be recaptured.
20
Mr. Lang needs to let it go. It sounds like the original event was a stunning, yet organic, event that in many ways exceeded all predictions and expectations. That moment will never be recaptured again. Get over it.
16