The 1969 Woodstock Performers: Where Are They Now?

via @70sromantics | Instagram

Classic Rock Legacy


If you do the math, most of the artists who performed at the 1969 Woodstock Festival are no longer with us.

Note: This is going to be a tough read, but as classic rock fans, you’ll certainly enjoy this because this is our legacy.

 

Joan Baez

Folk legend Joan Baez is still active in political activism.

 

The Band

Richard Manuel died on March 4, 1986. Rick Danko died on December 10, 1999. Levon Helm died on April 19, 2012. The only remaining is guitarist/songwriter Robbie Robertson and managed to release his most recent solo album in 2011, How to Become Clairvoyant.

 

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ3r6LyZHjI

This band’s career ended when singer David Clayton-Thomas left in 1972, but the remainder remains musically active.

 

Paul Butterfield Blues Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WibfUfVpfAI

Butterfield died on May 4, 1987, while David Sanborn became successful as a jazz player and won six Grammys.

 

Canned Heat

Alan Wilson died on September 3, 1970. Bob Hite died on April 6, 1981. Guitarist Harvey Mandel, bassist Larry “The Mole” Taylor and drummer Adolfo “Fito” de la Parra remained active in the music industry.

 

Country Joe and the Fish/Country Joe McDonald

Joe Cocker died on December 22, 2014. Joe McDonald, on the other hand, announced his retirement in 2017.

 

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Tom Fogerty died on September 6, 1990. John Fogerty continues to record and tour and published his memoir, Fortunate Son: My Life, My Music, in 2015. Bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford once reunited with John Fogerty to pay tribute to their old band.

 

Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

All four members remain very active in music, recording prolifically and performing live but not together anymore.

 

Grateful Dead

Ron “Pigpen” McKernan died March 8, 1973. Jerry Garcia died on August 9, 1995. Bob Weir, bassist Phil Lesh and drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart are still active today.

 

Arlo Guthrie

Guthrie continues to tour.

 

Tim Hardin

Died December 29, 1980

 

Keef Hartley

Keef Hartley died on November 26, 2011, while Miller Anderson is still touring.

 

Richie Havens

Died on April 22, 2013

 

Jimi Hendrix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPt8vegXAx0

The greatest ax-slinger died on September 18, 1970. Mitch Mitchell died on November 12, 2008. While the remainder who played with Hendrix at Woodstock still plays — Percussionists Gerardo Velez and Juma Sultan while the second guitarist, Larry Lee died on October 30, 2007

 

Incredible String Band

The group split in 1974 and Robin Williamson became a solo artist and manage to release dozens of albums.

 

Jefferson Airplane

Drummer Spencer Dryden died on January 11, 2005, Guitarist/singer Paul Kantner died on January 28, 2016, Guitarist/singer Jorma Kaukonen continues to record and perform solo and with bassist Jack Casady in Hot Tuna. Grace Slick retired from music in 1989 and became a painter.

 

Janis Joplin

Died October 4, 1970

 

Melanie

Melanie Safka continues in releasing albums occasionally.

 

Mountain

Bassist Felix Pappalardi on died April 17, 1983, murdered by his wife. Keyboardist Steve Knight died on January 19, 2013. Guitarist Leslie West is active on tours and still records.

Quill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMQoG3qgLI0

Disbanded in the spring of 1970

 

Santana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqZceAQSJvc

Still remains as one of the best guitarist rock’s has ever seen.

 

Swami Satchidananda

The Indian yogi died on August 19, 2002.

 

John Sebastian

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnsB4Ck__OE

Sebastian still performs and records occasionally.

 

Sha Na Na

No one knows where they are, or the current activities of the 12-members.

 

Ravi Shankar

Died on December 11, 2012.

 

Sly and the Family Stone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=607eFLYuJ_g

Disbanded in 1975, Sly Stone’s activity in music is still good, Cynthia Robinson died on November 23, 2015, and Freddie Stone left music for good since their breakup.

 

Bert Sommer

Died July 23, 1990

 

Sweetwater

Alan Malarowitz died around in the 80s’, Albert Moore died in 1994, August Burns also died, in the ’80s, while singer Nancy Nevins got injured severely months after Woodstock which led to the band’s ending.

 

Ten Years After

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW5M5xljdCI

Alvin Lee died on March 6, 2013. The group broke up in 1976 and reunited on a number of occasions, most recently in 1994.

 

The Who

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F03a-EYvifU

Keith Moon died on September 7, 1978. John Entwistle died on June 27, 2002. Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey continue to tour with other musicians and still carries the name.

 

Johnny Winter

Died July 16, 2014, his brother, Edgar Winter is still active.

 

Max Yasgur

Lastly, the man who leased his land for the Woodstock Festival – died on February 9, 1973.