Woodstock Memories, Part 1

42 years ago in a little sleepy upstate New York village called Bethel, the world came calling. And so as lemmings to the sea, we responded to the call.

The Woodstock Music & Arts Fair was billed as the music event to end all events. At the then-bloated ticket price of $6 a day and $18 for all three (no discount!), it was a real bargain, although at the time seemed rather high. However, we all know it was a virtual who's who of rock & folk icons. There was even a strong yet unfounded rumor that the Beatles would make an appearance.

The event dominated the TV news. Cars strewn all across the area and backed up on the 17, if I recall correctly. We could see them for miles and miles and miles. Kids and young adults of the hippie generation came from literally all over, with VW buses covered in signs like "Woodstock or bust" painted on their broadsides.

Woodstock was soon declared a 'free concert' as hoards knocked down the hastily erected wired fences. You can't keep a crowd that size back. We wanted our WTV and we wanted now and free. Yep, that was My Generation, alright! Once that was announced, and living relatively close to the site, we decided Friday evening go take the ride up and experience it. The rub? Mt band, Chapter 4, was just out of High School and playing at a local topless (yes, you read that right) bar, two of us under age. The topless thing got boring after two weeks. I have a saying - seen two, seen 'em all. But right after Saturday's show, six of us piled into my friend's Chevy Bel Aire (I thought it was an Impala, but Frank corrected me) at 2:05AM, literally one minute after finishing.

Approximately 3 hours later, we arrived at the site with the sun coming up. Miles of cars along the highway. We were estatic that we were able to get as close to the site as possible, probably a mile, maybe less. We parked in front of someone's nice, rustic country home. I seem to recall a woman welcoming us warmly. We asked to use the restroom and she happily invited us 'young people' in. Amazing hospitality, but that's part of the saga that was Woodstock.

Our excitement built as we trekked to the site, passing more and more activity along the way. Then ... Nirvana. When you got to the top of that hill and looked down upon the crowd, and the stage so far away, it was breathtaking! Truly a magnificent sight to behold. We made our way down, about half distance from the crest to the stage. God knows how many we stepped on but not one peep or argument. No such thing as Concert Rage. As we claimed our spots and laid out individual blankets on a slightly dampened ground from the previous night's precipitation, Jefferson Airplane took the stage.