Woodstock: The Rise of the Counter Culture

1437 Words3 Pages

Along with the peak of several movements music began to reach a point of climax. Rock specifically began to flourish in the 1960’s, while expressing the voice of the liberated generation. It is the power of such trends that overall lead to what is known as the greatest music festival of all time: Woodstock Music and Art Fair. The festival started on August 15, 1969 on Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel, New York. Appealing to the time period, Woodstock was designed to be Three Days of Peace and Music. However, many argue that it was more than just a musical art fair of peace, but a historically significant event that shifted American culture. While some regard Woodstock as the beginning of a cultural advancement and the end of a naïve era, others view it as ridiculous hippy festival infested with illegal drug usage. Woodstock cost over $2.4 million and attracted over 450,000 people (Tiber, 1). Despite the debate of whether Woodstock produced a positive or negative effect, it is clear that a note worthy impact was made. When discussing the overall impact of Woodstock it is important to look at the influences and creative plan and the positive and negative effects produced from the festival. Although 1969, was the end of a significant decade, it held possibilities and hope for a new prosperous 10 years. Still in the midst of what was seen to many as the most pointless American war, the young generation especially was desperate to enforce a change. Change was a common theme of the 1960’s, deriving from movements such as the civil rights movements, the second feminist wave, a social revolution, and the anti-war movement. In addition, technology in America was at one of its highest peaks. Events such as the Space Race against the Sov... ... middle of paper ... ...Media Missed The Historic Angle Of The Breaking Story.(Woodstock Music And Art Fair 1969)(Author Abstract)(Report)." Journalism History 4 (2012): 238. Academic OneFile. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. Tiber, Elliot. “How Woodstock Happened” Times Herald-Record Woodstock Commemorative Editon (1994):1-5. Print. Wadleigh, Michael, et al. Woodstock [Videorecording] : 3 Days Of Peace & Music / Warner Bros. ; A Film By Michael Wadleigh ; Produced By Bob Maurice ; A Wadleigh-Maurice, Ltd. Production ; Directed By Michael Wadleigh. n.p.: Burbank, Calif. : Warner Home Video, c1997., 1997 Wesson, Donald R. "Psychedelic Drugs, Hippie Counterculture, Speed And Phenobarbital Treatment Of Sedative-Hypnotic Dependence: A Journey To The Haight Ashbury In The Sixties." Journal Of Psychoactive Drugs 2 (2011): 153. Academic OneFile. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

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