10 Live Shows That Changed Music History
2. Woodstock
So...it's pretty obvious that something like Woodstock would have made a list like this. How damn predictable...one of the greatest and most parodied music festivals of all time actually getting a spot here. How original! Well, yeah, there's a reason why it actually nabs a spot on this list...it's really that damn good.
Looking to bypass the normal guidelines of music festivals, this gathering just outside of New York was one of the greatest cultural milestones for rock and roll at the turn of the '60s. With the Love Generation now getting into full swing, the entire weekend ran like a scene out of a hippie dream, as most people fawned over each other to celebrate being in the moment amid rock legends. Despite having some heavyhitters like the Who on the bill, the real big ticket item comes down to Jimi Hendrix.
Waking the crowd up with the National Anthem on the day of his performance, Hendrix delivered one of his most electrifying sets on the final day, which is made all the more hilarious when most of the people who had come for the festival had either left or were still coming to their senses when it happened. The hippie ideal might seem a bit stupid nowadays, but when looking back in the moment, it truly felt like the world was about to change for the better.