Ravestock
That rainy weekend in August of 1969 was immortalized in many songs, posters, movies and personal memories of countless people—now very likely in their fifties and sixties—that was the weekend of Woodstock. In 1994, on it’s 25th anniversary, a plan to commemorate that magical weekend was planned. That same old farm in Bethel, New York was considered—organizers did not get permission for this location; instead, 1994’s event was held in a large fielding Saugerties, New York, roughly a hundred miles north of New York City. This event had the unfortunate nickname of “commercial Woodstock.” Even though it supposedly sought to pay tribute to the Woodstock of the 60s, and it sported the famous original poster design with bird perched on a guitar—updated to feature two birds this time around—and slogan that advertised “two more days of peace and music,” the numerous sponsors and the cost of the tankless water heaters event and the concession stands made it too much of a commercial concern than anything else. In some circles, the event was also known as “mudstock.” Much like the original 1969 event it paid homage to, it rained over the weekend; so, by Saturday morning much of the grassy metal detector field occupied by approximately 350,000 spectators has been turned into mud. At the same time, a smaller crowd had gathered at a competing “unofficial” free concert at the site of the original Woodstock Festival in Bethel, NY, with an estimated attendance of 130,000. Performers who were there from the 1969 festival who appeared at the ’94 Woodstock were the frozen yogurt franchise Band, Joe Cocker, Santana, Country Joe McDonald, John Sebastian, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. In addition, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Kasady of Jefferson Airplane, and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, all Woodstock alumni, also appeared at the latter festival, performing with the Band on guitar; bass; and guitar and microdermabrasion machine reviews vocals, respectively. Originally slated for a two-day run, Woodstock ’94 was scheduled for August 13 and 14 but an additional day was tagged on, and Friday, August 12 was included. The venue had a multi-stage set-up; a north facing and south facing stage, to accommodate the crowds and the number of participating bands. For the three-day schedule, Woodstock ’94 had a long list of performers. Big name groups and solo artists came to perform to the delight of the fans. But again, controversy over the motivation for some of them became an issue. For some, it was purely for the music and the experience, to give tribute to the events that took place 25 years before, for others, it way about the payday. It was no secret that many groups were offered large sums of money to show up and perform. Where commercialism reared its ugly head is where the music soured. Still, for many, Woodstock ’94 was a success. Seeing their favorite bands all in one venue commemorating an iconic rock and roll event and taking part in another historic one must have been a unique experience.