Woodstock '69 (which was actually held in Bethel, NY not Woodstock, NY) was a counterculture Mecca. Almost every popular band of the time made an appearance over the long weekend of performances. Here are some Woodstock hits that maybe you crazy kids of this generation will still recognize.
1. Piece of My Heart- Janis Joplin
How could anybody say no to that raspy voice belting out "come on" incessantly? Joplin truly makes everybody feel like they were the only man.
2. Dance to the Music- Sly & The Family Stone
Most people have absolutely no idea who sings this song. Well, now you know. It's pretty hard not to do some form of bodily twitching while listening to this song. If you don't at least bob your head A-Night-at-the-Roxbury-style, something is seriously wrong with you.
3. Proud Mary- Creedence Clearwater Revival
We all know at least three different versions of this song. However, not everybody knows the original, which was written by John Fogerty, the lead guitarist and vocalist for CCR. It may not have quite the same flair as Tina Turner's version, but you have to have respect for the classic.
4. Tommy Medley- The Who
Yes, there are many good songs by The Who. However, they chose, as a large chunk of their Woodstock performance, to play songs from their rock musical, Tommy. These songs not only laid the path for rock musicals of today, but displayed The Who's always excellent musicianship and a great flair for storytelling.
5. White Rabbit- Jefferson Airplane
This song is nothing less than a good trip. If you love Alice in Wonderland, drugs, and/or Classic Rock, you pretty much are required to love this song. Covered by over thirty bands, it is a short song, only stretching two and a half minutes in length.
6. Joe Cocker- With a Little Help From My Friends
This song may have been originally written and recorded by the Beatles, but Joe Cocker took the song and made it his own, by slowing it down and adding some crazy chords (if you've seen Across the Universe, while the beginning of the song is the original arrangement, the end uses Cocker's). Cocker's version also is what you hear when watching the opening to The Wonder Years, making it a cultural icon.
7. Purple Haze- Jimi Hendrix
Excuse me while I kiss the sky. Many people believe Purple Haze to be Hendrix's best song, and it is often called his signature piece. Most people, even still today, can recognize the song after only a few chords.
8. The Weight- The Band
While this song wasn't too popular at the time, it's probably one of The Band's best known songs today. The song became more popular in the US once artists began to "take a load off" and record covers of it.
9. Mama Tried- Grateful Dead
The ultimate counterculture band, the Grateful Dead played music that was described as rock, country, and jazz, all at the same time. While Mama Tried is a cover of Merle Haggard's song, the band played it often, making it their own.
