Posted by j peiper on August 02, 1999 at 15:58:38:
In Reply to: I'll lighten up! posted by Chris on August 02, 1999 at 15:03:25:
I never said I supported the post, I said you should lighten up. Your come across as being way too defensive about your concert experience and philosophy of what Woodstock should be.
Everyone will have their different interpretation and spin on it. I can't comment about 99, I didn't go. I was at 94 and had a great time. It didn't leave any lasting impression on me and I was very turned off by all the commercialization and overpriced food and beverages. As were most of those around me. These two events will never capture the imagination and the mystique of future generations like the original did.
Whether you like it or not, 99 will always be remembered for the fires and so called rioting and reported rapes that took place. 94 probably will hardly be remembered at all. The original will continue to grow in legend and mystique and the promoters will continue to try and cash in on the Woodstock name.
As far as the original poster is concerned, he was 17 in 94 when he went to Saugerties. At that age what else is there besides bare breasts, drugs and music. I'm assuming he is 22 or 23 now, and probably hoped to recapture his original experience. As far as him supporting drugs and rioters and that not being what Woodstock is about, what is Woodstock about? What was the legacy of the original? Well, from watching the movie, listening to a lot of the music and seeing specials about it, you have to admit there was a tremendous amount of drug use and naked people. A lot of the leaders of the anti-war movement were against big business, anti-establishment, etc, etc. I would venture to guess, that had some vendors tried to sell them grossly overpriced food, their booths would have burned also.
I think you have a very interesting site. I would be interested to know what your view of Woodstock is. What is it all about in your eyes?