Woodstock Vets Liken Obama's Election to Historic Festival
- Posted on Jun 30th 2009 4:00PM by Adam Horne
- Comments
During the Summer of '69, a generation hungry for social change gathered on Max Yasgur's farm in Bethel, New York, for the now legendary Woodstock festival. This past January, nearly two million people crowded the streets of Washington D.C. chanting "Yes We Can" as they watched the inauguration of a President who had campaigned on a platform of change.For many Woodstock veterans, the parallels haven't gone unnoticed.
"Obama's inauguration, his speech -- more than Bonnaroo or something like that -- was a gathering of people that made me feel similar to Woodstock," original Santana drummer Michael Shrieve told Spinner at a recent press event. "People's hopes were up, they were coming together for big change and there was emotion involved in the change."
Two of Woodstock's creators, Michael Lang and Joel Rosenman, noted the similarities between the political and social climate. "It's a new sort of movement of hope in a very dark time," Lang explained. "The beginnings of the sustainable movement, the green movement, human rights issues -- this all came from the '60s and came back in a very strong way now."
Rosenman acknowledged the significance of youth culture in these two historical events. "I think about what we went through at the time, and how strong the division was between the establishment and the new generation ... I couldn't help but really [compare] what we see today to what we were dealing with in those days."
Even from the stage, the musicians who performed at Woodstock could sense the unrest beginning to take shape in the form of a social movement. According to Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten, "Surface tension between the various groups of people, a sense of community started to arise out of that that hadn't been there before." Statements like these could be used just as well to describe the phenomenon of Obama's Presidential run.
Can You Guess This Famous Face?
Katy Perry Divorce: With No Prenup How Much Will Russell Walk Away With?
It's Pink!
M.I.A., Fiance Benjamin Bronfman Split, Singer Rarely Sees Son -- Report
Alori Joh Dead: Singer and Kendrick Lamar Affiliate Dies at 25
PHOTO: Miley Cyrus Wears Racy Garter Tights
Can You Guess This Famous Face?
PHOTOS: Anti-Gay Protesters Getting Pwned
It's Madonna!
The Best And Worst Burgers
Suge Knight Arrested on Marijuana Charge and Traffic Warrant
Powell 911 Call Released: Cops Declare Investigation Of Missing Mom A Murder Case
Thudda Boy Dead: Rapper Brondon McDaniel Dies From Gunshot Wound
Woolly Mammoth Allegedly Caught On Video In Siberia
Chi Cheng Improving: Deftones Bassist Raises Leg After Three Years in Coma
PHOTOS: Massive Whale Shark Reeled Into Harbor
WATCH: This Is Your Body On Ramen
WATCH: Rose McGowan, Christie Brinkley & Minka Kelly Stumble On Runway
Steve Jobs FBI File Reveals Bomb Threat, 'Tendency To Distort Reality' And More
WATCH: JFK Intern Discusses Sordid Details Of Affair
10 States Receive Waivers From No Child Left Behind Law
Third Photo Rejected By Yearbook, Editors Choose For Her
WATCH: 7-Year-Old Girl Kicks And Screams Out Kidnapping At Walmart
U.S. Marines Posing With Symbol Resembling Nazi Logo 'Not Acceptable'
Santorum Sweeps Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota, Embarrassing Romney
Valentine's Day: Celebs Show Us How To Wear Lingerie (PHOTOS)
The Oldest Found Work Of Art Ever!
Women Of A Certain Age With Hair Of A Certain Length
THE HUNGER BLOGS: A Secret World of Teenage 'Thinspiration'
Which Colleges Have The Best Quality Of Life?
Post 50 Celebrity Dream Homes on the Market (PHOTOS)
Is This The Legendary Worm Monster Of Iceland?
Werewolf Sisters Are Coated In Hair (PICTURES)
3 Comments