Woodstock at 50: Anatomy of a Revolution

As the 1960’s drew to a close, the gathering at Woodstock defined a moment in history and redefined the world of music and politics over the course of a single weekend. From the Cuban Missile Crisis to the Vietnam war, Woodstock placed three days of peace and music amid a decade of political turmoil.

Woodstock At 50 by Aidan Prewett captures this significant, historical anti-war movement from luminaries that were a part of the 1960’s hotbed of political and musical revolution. The collection of interviews with Woodstock performers, crew, and a host of entertainment icons such as Chip Monck, Michael Shrieve (Santana), Joe McDonald (Country Joe & the Fish), D.A. Pennebaker (Monterey Pop), and Dick Cavett, offer perspectives from the sixties for today’s bizarre political landscape. Placing the reader at Hendrix’s feet during the Star Spangled Banner and in Mick Jagger’s dressing room after Altamont, the book also delves deeper into the philosophical legacy of Woodstock and the political implications of the festival.

Woodstock at 50 isn’t just about the music, it’s about the wider meaning of the Woodstock festival, its impact on world culture, and how it engendered a sense of belonging for an entire generation. The book looks at the connection between music and politics, exploring the festival through the lens of music as a tool of the revolution.