Who Played at Woodstock?

One of the biggest music events to date, Woodstock represented much more than a gathering of artists and a staggering 500,000 fans. Woodstock embodied an entire culture, era of music, and the power to send a peaceful message to the entire world.

Despite the event being well documented in writing, film, and the (scattered) memories of those who experienced it, there is still debate about who actually played at Woodstock 1969. Most every Woodstock lineup has a few pieces missing, some wholly incorrect. Forever immortalized in time, the message of Woodstock 1969 and the Woodstock bands play a large part in identifying the festival and sending the message of peace, and it's about time the Woodstock lineup was officially finalized.

Butchered, deconstructed, reconstructed, heavily debated, who played at Woodstock 1969 has become a hazy recollection and seems to reflect only what individuals recall. All confusion cast aside, a final comprehensive list has been established outlining exactly who played Woodstock 1969 and how their participation helped sculpt not only the landscape of music, but the entire world.

Some of the best artists contribute to the art of music over an eclectic variety of genres, Woodstock bands have become a benchmark of music's ability to move and inspire. The Woodstock nation represents the apex of togetherness and the height of a movement designed to embrace humanity. Here is the official lineup of musicians who made Woodstock 1969 possible:

Day 1 August 15, 1969

Richie Havens

1. The Minstrel from Gault
2. From the Prison
3. Get Together
4. From the Prison (Reprise)
5. I'm a Stranger Here
6. High Flying Bird
7. I Can't Make It Anymore
8. With a LIttle Help from My Friends
9. Handsome Johnny
10. Strawberry Fields Forever > Hey Jude
11. Freedom (Motherles Child)

Swami Satchidananda

Country Joe McDonald

1. Janis
2. Rockin' All Around the World
3. Flyin' High All Over the World
4. Seen A Rocket
5. Fish Cheer/I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixing-To-Die-Rag
   

John Sebastian

1. How Have You Been
2. Rainbows All Over Your Blues
3. I Had A Dream
4. Darlin' Be Home Soon
5. Younger Generation

Sweetwater

1. Motherless Child
2. Look Out
3. For Pete's Sake
4. Day Song
5. What's Wrong
6. My Crystal Spider
7. Two Words
8. Band Introduction
9. Why Oh Why

Incredible String Band

1. Invocation
2. The Letter
3. This Moment
4. When You Find Out Who You Are

Bert Sommer

1. Jennifer
2. The Road To Travel
3. I Wondered Where You Be
4. She's Gone
5. Things Are Going My Way
6. And When It's Over
7. Jeanette
8. America
9. A Note That Read
10. Smile

Tim Hardin

1. (How Can We) Hang Onto a Dream
2. Susan
3. If I Were a Carpenter
4. Reason to Believe
5. You Upset the Grace of Living When You Lie
6. Speak Like a Child
7. Snow White Lady
8. Blues on My Ceiling
9. Simple Song of Freedom
10. Misty Roses

Ravi Shankar

1. Raga Puirya-Dhanashri/Gat In Sawarital
2. Tabla Solo In Jhaptal
3. Raga Manj Kmahaj
4. Iap Jor
5. Dhun In Kaharwa Tal

Melanie

1. Close to It All
2. Momma Momma
3. Beautiful People
4. Animal Crackers
5. Mr. Tambourine Man
6. Tuning My Guitar
7. Birthday of the Sun

Arlo Guthrie

1. Coming Into Los Angeles
2. Wheel of Fortune
3. Walking Down the Line
4. Arlo Speech: Exodus
5. Oh Mary, Don't You Weep
6. Every Hand in the Land
7. Amazing Grace

Joan Baez

1. Oh Happy Day
2. The Last Thing On My Mind
3. I Shall Be Released
4. Joe Hill
5. Sweet Sir Galahad
6. Hickory Wind
7. Drug Store Truck Driving Man
8. I Live One Day at a Time
9. Sweet Sunny South
10. Warm and Tender Love
11. Swing Low Sweet Chariot
12. We Shall Overcome

Day 2 August 16, 1969

Quill

1. Driftin'
2. They Live the Life
3. BBY
4. Waitin' For You
5. Jam

Keef Hartley Band

1. Spanish Fly
2. Believe In You
3. Rock Me Baby
4. Medley: Leavin' Trunk, Halfbreed, Just To Cry, Sinnin' For You

Santana

1. Waiting
2. Evil Ways
3. You Just Don't Care
4. Savior
5. Jingo
6. Persuasion
7. Soul Sacrifice
8. Fried Neckbones

Canned Heat

1. I'm Her Man
2. Going Up the Country
3. A Change Is Gonna Come
4. Leaving This Town
5. The Bear Talks
6. Let's Work Together
7. Too Many Drivers at the Wheel
8. I Know My Baby
9. Woodstock Boogie
10. On the Road Again

Grateful Dead

1. St. Stephen
2. Mama Tried
3. Dark Star
4. High Time
5. Turn On Your Lovelight

Mountain

1. Blood Of The Sun
2. Stormy Monday
3. Long Red
4. Who Am I But You and the Sun
5. Beside the Sea
6. For Yasgur's Farm (then untitled)
7. You and Me
8. Them From An Imagination Western
9. Waiting to Take You Away
10. Dreams of Milk and Honey
11. Blind Man
12. Blue Suede Shoes
13. Southbound Train

Creedence Clearwater Revival

1. Born on the Bayou
2. Green River
3. Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do)
4. Commotion
5. Bootleg
6. Bad Moon Rising
7. Proud Mary
8. I Put a Spell On You
9. Night Time Is The Right Time
10. Keep On Choogin'
11. Suzy Q

Sly & The Family Stone

1. M'Lady
2. Sing A Simple Song
3. You Can make It If You Try
4. Everyday People
5. Dance to the Music
6. Music Lover
7. I Want to Take you Higher
8. Love City
9. Stand!

Janis Joplin

1. Raise Your Hand
2. As Good As You've Been to This World
3. To Love Somebody
4. Summertime
5. Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)
6. Kosmic Blues
7. Cant Turn you Loose
8. Work Me Lord
9. Piece of my Heart
10. Ball and Chain

The Who

1. Heaven and Hell
2. I Can't Explain
3. It's a Boy
4. 1921
5. Amazing Journey
6. Sparks
7. Eyesight to the Blind
8. Christmas
9. Acid Queen
10. Pinball Wizard
11. (Abbie Hoffmann Incident)
12. Do you Think It's Alright?
13. Fiddle About
14. There's a Doctor I've found
15. Go to the Mirror Boy
16. Smash the Mirror
17. I'm Free
18. Tommy's Holiday Camp
19. We're Not Gonna Take It
20. See Me Feel Me
21. Summertime Blues
22. Shakin' All Over
23. My Generation
24. Naked Eye

Day 3 August 17, 1969

Jefferson Airplane

1. The Other Side of This Life
2. Plastic Fantastic Lover
3. Volunteers
4. Won't You Try / Saturday Afternoon
5. Eskimo Blue Day
6. Uncle Sam's Blues
7. Somebody To Love
8. White Rabit
9. 3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds

Joe Cocker

1. Delta Lady
2. Some Things Goin' On
3. let's Go Get Stoned
4. I Shall Be Released
5. With a Little Help From my Friends

Country Joe & The Fish

1. Barry's Caviar Dream
2. Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine
3. Rock and Soul Music
4. Thing Called Love
5. Love Machine
6. Fish Cheer/I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin-To-Die-Rag

Ten Years After

1. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
2. I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes
3. I May Be Wrong, But I Won't Be Wrong Always
4. Hear Me Calling
5. I'm Going Home

The Band

1. Chest Fever
2. Baby Don't Do It
3. Tears of Rage
4. We Can Talk
5. Long Black Veil
6. Don't You Tell Henry
7. Ain't No More Cane
8. Wheels on Fire
9. Loving You is Sweeter Than Ever
10. The Weight

Blood Sweat and Tears

1. More and More
2. I Love You Baby more Than you Ever Know
3. Spinning Wheel
4. I Stand Accused
5. Something Coming On
6. God Bless The Child

Johnny Winter

1. Mama, Talk to Your Daughter
2. To Tell the Truth
3. Johnny B Goode
4. Six Feet in the Ground
5. Leland Mississippi Blues/Rock Me Baby
6. Mean Mistreater
7. I Can't Stand It (With Edgar Winter)
8. Tobacco Road (With Edgar Winter)
9. Mean Town Blues

Crosby, Stils, Nash & Young

(Set One - Acoustic)

1. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
2. Blackbird
3. Helplessly Hoping
4. Guinnevere
5. Marrakesh Express
6. 4 + 20
7. Mr. Soul
8. Wonderin'
9. You Don't Have to Cry

(Set Two - Electric)

1. Pre-road Downs
2. Long Time Gone
3. Bluebird
4. Sea of Madness
5. Wooden Ships (Encore - Acoustic)
6. Find the Cost of Freedom
7. 49 Bye-byes

Paul Butterfield Blues Band

1. Everything's Gonna Be Alright
2. Driftin'
3. Born Under a Bad Sign
4. All My Love Comin' Through to You
5. Love March

Sha-Na-Na

1. Na Na Theme
2. Jakety Jak
3. Teen Angel
4. Jailhouse Rock
5. Wipe Out
6. Who Wrote the Book of Love
7. Duke of Earl
8. At The Hop
9. Na Na Theme

Jimi Hendrix (The Gypsy Sun & Rainbows Band)

1. Message to Love
2. Hear My Train a Comin'
3. Spanish Castle Magic
4. Red House
5. Master Mind
6. Here Comes your Lover Man
7. Foxy Lady
8. Beginning
9. Izabella
10. Gypsy Woman
11. Fire
12. Voodoo Child (slight return) / Stepping Stone
13. Star Spangled Banner
14. Purple Haze
15. Woodstock Improvisation / Villanova Junction
16. Hey Joe
    

Bringing the massive crowd some of the most memorable moments in the history of music, anthems for peace and togetherness filled the Bethel, NY dairy farm of Max Yasgur.

The Woodstock lineup featured established as well as emerging bands across the world, each fitting a peaceful vibe and all becoming a part of what would become the largest music event in history. Band such as the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and the Who featured the hitters in music during the period. Established in the world of rock, folk, and psychedelia, many these bands were featured at the Monterey Pop Festival, a music event that may as well have been called Woodstock Jr.

Other artists found their career soar after their Woodstock 1969 appearance. Some artists brought styles of music from other countries and were relatively unknown to the crowd. Sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar from India brought the country's music into rock and roll, with his heavy influence on Beatle George Harrison, while an unknown band from San Francisco brought Latin influence to Woodstock, his named just happened to be Carlos Santana.

Making diversity mainstream, a better understanding of vast musical cultures, and helping shape American music, Woodstock bands were part of something larger than one music event. The worldwide influence of the 1960s counterculture has spread across the world, is seeing a resurgence in popularity among the youth, it's influence not to be overstated.

Not everyone bathed in the glory of Woodstock 1969. Many artists, by way of their own volition or unforeseen obstacles missed the festival completely. A few bands had higher paying gigs elsewhere, some weren't fans of the scene as a whole, and some generally figured it wouldn't be a huge deal. Consequently, while a few bands who missed Woodstock 1969 still made it big in the music world, others on the list below have been buried beneath the sands of music history. Here are some of the canceled Woodstock 1969 acts as well as the acts who flat out declined the invitation.

1. Joni Mitchell (Her agent booked her for the "The Dick Cavett Show" instead)
2. Ethan Brown (got arrested for possession of LSD three days prior)
3. Iron Butterfly (Flew into Laguardia and demanded a helicopter, but Michael Lang realized it was a mistake to book them and did not send for them.)
4. Lighthouse (Declined out of fear of a disaster)
5. Jeff Beck Group (The band broke up in July)

1. The Beatles (Lennon noted that he was having difficulty getting back into the country)
2. Bob Dylan (Said his daughter was sick)
3. The Moody Blues (chose a gig in Paris instead)
4. Led Zeppelin (Booked a gig that paid more in New Jersey)
5. The Byrds (Had a bad experience at the Atlanta International Pop Festival)
6. Tommy James & the Shondells (Misinformed about the event)
7. Mind Garage (Declined because of a higher paying gig elsewhere)
8. Spirit (Prior commitment to play other shows)
9. Jethro Tull (Did not think Woodstock would pan out as it did)