Woodstock To Return?

7 months ago 24th Mar 13:15

Woodstock bosses are hoping to hold a free event to mark the festival's 40th anniversary this summer.

Michael Lang - who co-founded the original legendary 1969 music event - says he is seeking funding for a commemorative celebration show which he hopes to hold in New York and already has an ideas of the line-up.

He said: "We want to have as small a carbon imprint as we can and use as many green techniques as we can.

"There would be a lot of legacy bands performing - The Who, Santana, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Joe Cocker maybe. And it would be people like Steve Earle and Ben Harper. There's certainly room for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Dave Matthews...that would be the shape of the music."

I think it always hearkens back to the 69 event, somehow. When people think [of Woodstock] they don't think 99 or 94. They think of the 69 event. I think 1999 has its ramifications, but I don't think it did any real damage in that sense.

The original Woodstock took place in New York in 1969 and featured sets from Jimi Hendrix and The Who.

Since then, organisers have held several anniversary festivals, with the last one in 1999.

However, the most recent festival was marred by violence and rioting, though Michael insists he doesn't believe it tarnished Woodstock's reputation.

He added to Billboard: "I think it always hearkens back to the 69 event, somehow. When people think [of Woodstock] they don't think 99 or 94. They think of the 69 event. I think 1999 has its ramifications, but I don't think it did any real damage in that sense."

The organiser said he is also thinking of holding another Woodstock at Berlin's Tempelhof airport.