CELEBRATING WOODSTOCK AND JIMI HENDRIX
Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock
To me the spirit of Woodstock was not just the spirit of the freedom seeking 60's ~ it was the final set of the weekend when Jimi Hendrix played his solo version of the Star Spangled Banner, which included all the sounds and anguish of war, and which still moves and shocks listeners now as it did then: Allen L Roland
40 years ago I was a stockbroker intent on making money while more than 400,000 people converged on the town of Woodstock intent on having fun and watching big names like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix.
Many feel that the music and spirit of Woodstock during those three days ( August 15 -17,1969 ) was more of a revelation to the millions who listened to the album and saw the movie ~ but I think it was indeed a revelation of human connectedness particularly with the deep on going unrest and divisions of the Vietnam War.
I never really ' got ' Woodstock until I read Michael Ventre's narrative and watched Jimi Hendrix play his version of the Star Spangle banner, which included all the sounds and anguish of war, before a moved and shocked audience on the last day of the festival. Here it is and it's just as appropriate now ~
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32175232/ns/entertainment-music//from/ET
Jimi Hendrix Quote " When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."
Allen L Roland http://blogs.salon.com/0002255/2009/08/15.html
Freelance Online columnist Allen L Roland is available for comments, interviews and speaking engagements ( allen@allenroland.com )
Allen L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his weblog and website allenroland.com He also guest hosts a monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK on www.conscioustalk.
