If you’ve never heard the performers who made Woodstock ’69 the legend that it is today – you should. free music Here’s why.

August 15, 1969 kicked off the three day music event in upstate New York that changed rock and roll forever. From that point on, it was clear that the music style that was renegade, edgy and wild could also be the center of a positive gathering of the like-minded. It was expected to be mayhem. It was projected as an unwanted nuisance by neighbors of its original location and had to be moved. But it turned out to be a rallying point for both bands and fans to come together and create the stuff of which legends are made.

To be sure, most of the artists booked to perform Woodstock already had successful careers in their own right, careers created through the long, hard work of touring.

Jimi Hendrix’s historic rendition of The National Anthem is emblazoned in the memory of anyone who heard it live that day, or the recordings subsequently released around the world. But long before Woodstock, Hendrix is known to have been one of the hardest working performers – with at least one if not two shows almost every night of his career cut short by his early death at 29. In fact, he only had 5 career years in which to build the worldwide mark he left on Rock and Roll that endures and inspires decades later. Just listen to his 1968 shows – free – at http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/pf/jimi-hendrix-experience/9960.html to understand.

The Who performed their Rock Opera Tommy on the second day of Woodstock. It was previously unchartered territory of storytelling made into Rock Opera that thrives until today. The eccentric tale with amazing music is still produced in venues large and small throughout the world. http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/dt/the-who-concert/945-7962.html

Janis Joplin performing with Big Brother and the Holding Company is said to have been unhappy, but images taken at Woodstock by photographer Joe Sia belie her sense of complete ecstasy, at least for the moment it was captured on film. http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/dt/janis-joplin-premium-vintage-print/WDS690815-16-VP.html

The Woodstock story is even more appealing with its controversy. Abbie Hoffman interrupted The Who’s set to protest the jailing of White Panther’s John Sinclair, and Pete Townshend took matters into his own hands. Led Zeppelin chose not to participate in a very public fashion. Neil Young protested the cameras whose recordings on stage were too obtrusive. And controversial things went on in the crowd, as well.

Woodstock, an unqualified success of a music festival, has been followed by hundreds of others – for causes or for profit. But Woodstock came first. And the 40 years of great Rock and Roll it kicked off, whether intentional or not, has indeed changed the world.

Get expert hints about one way links - your personal guide.