AUGUST 15
THE START OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND STILL MOST FAMOUS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL FESTIVALS IN HISTORY BEGAN TODAY, AUGUST 15TH, 1969 . . . THE WOODSTOCK MUSIC AND ARTS FAIR. 450,000 PEOPLE GATHERED ON MAX YASGUR’S FARM IN UPSTATE NEW YORK FOR “THREE DAYS OF PEACE AND MUSIC.” RICHIE HAVENS KICKED IT OFF, AND 32 ACTS WOULD PLAY BEFORE HENDRIX FINISHED FOUR DAYS LATER.
AND ON THIS DAY IN 1965, ANOTHER MILESTONE CONCERT. THE BEATLES SET THE WORLD RECORD AT THE TIME FOR THE LARGEST ATTENDANCE AT A ROCK SHOW WHEN THEY PLAYED IN FRONT OF 55 THOUSAND 6 HUNDRED FANS AT NEW YORK’S SHEA STADIUM.