WOODSTOCK NOTES BEFORE 1969

By Greg Madden

On a recent summer weekend, once again the allure of a music jam summoned me, and several of my friends, to head down the back mountain road to Woodstock to celebrate one of our friend’s birthdays … which by the way he had been celebrating for more than a week.

As a quick aside, I have always thought that one should celebrate their birthday for as many days as they are years old. This becomes more challenging, however, the older we get. Not this fellow though, because he and his wife are professional Djembe/ African drummers. Woodstock is perfect fit for their joie de vivre. The beat keeps them young(er). Aside over, now back to our story.

Before retiring for an amazing celebratory birthday meal at The Garden Cafe, we would ingest their rhythmic performance with dozens of others playing various percussion instruments at the weekly Woodstock late Sunday afternoon drum circle, a Village Green tradition, this summer celebrating its 25th season. All in attendance paused to feel the true Woodstock come alive with its vibrant resounding and eternal spirit.

That day, I traveled to Woodstock knowing that I had an assignment to write something about Woodstock for this month’s column and was not sure what to write about. This was a challenge, as I was wondering if everything had already been written about Woodstock, 50 years after the 1969 festival that bears its name (even if it actually took place a good 60 or so miles away). Well, this circle “spoke” volumes as I was ignited with the rhythm, as was true for all in attendance.

What could be said that hadn’t already been previously explored by other writers? Recently another dear friend, a talented local actress, shared that various musical frequencies have been designed, performed and harmonized deeply into the fabric of Woodstock’s soul for generations. She mused that this region has drawn amazing musical and theatrical expression for many decades and has always been ahead of its time. So off to the internet I went, delving into this area’s rich history as I journeyed to find out how one iconic musical era had been built off the rich artistic legacy of the decades prior.

Being locked into the rhythmic entrainment of that drum circle as time seemingly stood still really helped me, and everything seemingly came together at that moment. I knew I had to set the wayback machine to take me back to the Woodstock that existed before half a million strong would flood the Catskill Region back in the days of free love, flower children and hippies. Those were the days my friends. A magical mystery tour and an Aquarian Exposition.

The Woodstock Festival of 1969 gets all the attention from the baby boomers and the generations who followed along, but let’s look back at the gestation period that built the rhythmic foundation for that iconic world changing “experience”.

Long before 1969, the festival that emblazoned its name in the annals of music history, Woodstock has been a haven and melting pot for artists, musicians, and visionaries, cultivating a rich and diverse musical heritage that set the stage for its pivotal role in the countercultural revolution.

Woodstock’s journey as an artistic enclave began in the early 20th century, largely influenced by Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead, an Englishman who founded the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony in 1902.

Whitehead, along with colleagues Bolton Brown and Hervey White, envisioned a utopian community that would nurture the arts in harmony with nature. Byrdcliffe attracted painters, writers, and musicians who sought inspiration in the serene landscape of the Catskills.

This colony is the oldest operating arts and crafts colony in America and it laid the groundwork for Woodstock’s future as a magnet for creative minds. Byrdcliffe was created as an experiment in utopian living inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. So in short, Woodstock has always been cool and if you like it now, you’d have liked it then too.

Among the early settlers to the region was the composer John Cage, who arrived in Woodstock in the 1930s. Cage’s avant-garde compositions and pioneering work in electronic music were emblematic of the experimental spirit that Woodstock would come to embody. Critics have lauded him as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. He was also instrumental in the development of modern dance, mostly through his association with choreographer Merce Cunningham. The presence of such innovative artists helped establish Woodstock as a place where traditional boundaries in art and music were regularly challenged and transcended.

As we march forward into the 1940’s and 1950’s, the vibe saw a burgeoning of the eclectic folk music scene here, influenced by the broader American folk revival.

Key and legendary figures like Pete Seeger and The Weavers found a sympathetic audience in the town. Seeger, in particular, became closely associated with Woodstock, not only for his music but also for his activism and efforts to preserve precious folk traditions. His songs resonated with themes of social justice, peace, and environmentalism, echoing the values of the local community, another theme that has always been a Woodstock institution.

Folk music gatherings became a staple, with informal jam sessions and hootenannies taking place in homes, barns, and community centers. These events fostered a sense of camaraderie and artistic exchange, drawing musicians from across the country. The emphasis on acoustic instruments and storytelling in folk music provided a counterpoint to the increasingly commercialized music industry of the time.

You can see that there was always room for more performers and styles, as the scene offered a blended fusion for the melodic and lyrical landscape of the times.

In addition to folk music, jazz musicians and classical composers were attracted to and contributed to its eclectic musical tapestry. The presence of the renowned Music Inn in nearby Lenox, Massachusetts, which hosted jazz legends like Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck, had a direct influence on the local jazz scene. Musicians would often travel between the two locales, enriching the local music culture with impromptu performances and collaborations.

Classical music also has a powerful foothold in Woodstock, thanks to the Maverick Concerts, one of the oldest continuous summer chamber music festivals in the country. Founded in 1916 by Hervey White, Maverick Concerts became a platform for both established and emerging classical musicians. The rustic, open-air “music chapel” set in the woods provided an intimate setting for performances that emphasized a close connection between the artists and the audience.

Dare we forget about the Beatniks, heavens be. The post second World War era saw an influx of writers, poets, and artists associated with the Beat Generation and bohemian culture come flocking. Figures like Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac found refuge in our tranquil environment, which contrasted with the urban chaos of New York City. The Beats’ rebellious spirit and emphasis on spontaneous creativity aligned with the town’s artistic ethos.

This period also saw the rise of coffeehouses and small clubs that became venues for poetry readings, folk music, and jazz performances. The Tinker Street Café and Café Espresso were among the notable spots where artists and musicians gathered. These venues played a crucial role in nurturing young talent and fostering an environment where different artistic disciplines could intersect.

So now it makes perfect sense that by the 1960’s, Woodstock had become a melting pot of musical genres, and the arrival of rock and roll further diversified its soundscape.

Bob Dylan, one of the most influential musicians of the era, moved to Woodstock in 1963. Dylan’s presence in the town had a magnetic effect, attracting other notable musicians such as The Band, who recorded their seminal album Music from Big Pink in a house they shared in nearby West Saugerties.

Dylan’s work during this period marked a significant evolution in his music, blending folk, rock, and literary influences. This collaborative environment allowed for experimental recordings and genre-blending that would define much of the 1960s rock music. The Band’s sound, characterized by its rootsy, Americana influences, was a direct product of this fertile creative environment.

The Woodstock Festival of 1969 became a defining moment in music history, symbolizing peace, love, and unity. However, the festival’s success was deeply rooted in the rich and varied musical traditions laid here by so many others. The town’s legacy as a haven for artists and musicians continued to thrive long after the festival, with new generations of artists drawing inspiration from its storied past.

Woodstock has maintained its reputation as a creative haven. Events like the Woodstock Film Festival and ongoing performances and exhibitions at venues like the Bearsville Theater, Colony Woodstock, Levon Helm Studios, Maverick Concerts, Byrdcliffe, the Woodstock School of Art, the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum, and at Opus 40 in nearby Saugerties reinforce the town’s commitment to nurturing the arts.

So as you find yourself magnetically drawn to our town some Sunday afternoon and enjoying the vibes of the weekly drum circle, you can feel the history and the melodies that Woodstock has shaped, released and shared across Mother Earth. Yes, you are at the epicenter.

From this town, reserved for musical royalty, a space that crafted the energy of creativity realized right where you stand and where a magnetism collected all who needed to be here for just this very “experience”.

As you flow through your Woodstock “experience” you may realize that at the very table next to yours or even while you spend a moment with someone who waited on you, that that “experiential” moment in time might have been shared with the next “big thing” in musical or artistic expression, perhaps the next Joplin, Hendrix or Dylan.

It begs the question … “Are you Experienced?” (Thanks Jimi)

Greg Madden is the Development Manager at Wellness Rx, Pharmacy for the Public Good. He also practices ancient healing modalities like Tui-Na Medical Massage and BioPhoton Light Therapy. More at IlluminatingWellness.care.

WellnessRx, Pharmacy for the Public Good is America’s first nonprofit Community Pharmacy located in Phoenicia, NY (PharmacyforthePublicGood.org), on Main Street.