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Woodstock at 40
To commemorate the greatest hippiefest of all time, a new exhibition of Henry Diltz’s photographs captures Janis, Jimi, and all the mud, sweat, and tears. VIEW OUR EXCLUSIVE GALLERY.
The Woodstock Music & Art Fair took place at Max Yasgur’s 600-acre farm 40 years ago this weekend, and though it was a muddy, druggy puddle at the time, it's still regarded as one of the most significant events in rock ‘n’ roll history. It’s no wonder that now—in a post-Obama, forward-thinking era—everyone is falling over one another to commemorate and celebrate what is still considered as a perfect weekend for music, activism, and brotherly bonhomie. Though many of the modern anniversary celebrations smack of commercialism, Henry Diltz’s iconic photographs of the event are worth remembering. The legendary rock photojournalist was the “official photographer” at Woodstock, leading to some of the festival’s most lasting images. Now 70 years old, Diltz’s Woodstock portfolio is on display at the Morrison Hotel Gallery on New York’s grungy Bowery. VIEW OUR EXCLUSIVE GALLERY.
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Plus: Check out Art Beast, for galleries, interviews with artists, and photos from the hottest parties.
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Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
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MaliciousDisorder
I couldn't have asked for a better time in America to be nineteen..
BeyondBeliefs
While I was in Viet-Nam murdering innocent people over NOTHING BUT POLITICS, my HEROES were at WOODSTOCK. Their protesting saved more innocent people than I and my fellow fools had murdered in the enitre time of that ''police action''.
BeyondBeliefs
I was in Viet-Nam at the time, but the real heroes were at Woodstock. They ended that political insanity that my guns could never end.
mcmchugh99
I was six at the time, and got stuck in all the traffic on Route 17, coming back with my aunt and her husband from New York City.
The music of that time was good--better than now. The hippies were generally nicer people than Generation X-ers like me, if a little too soft and fuzzy minded Utopians.
Someone has to clean up the mess of the last 40 years, and try to improve the lives of the working class and middle class after decades of malign neglect by the ruling elite. Thatgrim and unpleasant task has fallen to Generation X, which will have to push through reforms in a tough-minded way, like the New Deal generation.
That way, maybe the generation of the 2060s will get to do it all again, thanks in part to our efforts today.
Thank you.
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