West Fest, a free concert celebrating the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, will take place on October 25 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Speedway Meadows in Golden Gate Park.
Ray Manzarek from the Doors is scheduled to perform at the West Fest free concert in Golden Gate Park on October 25th. Photo by Joel Williams
Woodstock was not just an event, a happening, or a concert with 400,000 people. It was a pivotal moment of realization for an entire generation—it was an epiphany, a moment of realization for the entire country. The hip movement started in San Francisco a couple of years earlier in the Haight Ashbury, and the “Summer of Love” had spread across the nation. There were now millions of hip people—400,000 of them converged on Woodstock.
Woodstock was a statement to the world that humanity had evolved, coming together through peace, love and spirituality. An event whose original intent was to make money became one of the largest free events in history. The hip movement had come of age and was recognized by the world, with the principles of love sweeping the country.
Hundreds of San Francisco stars and musical luminaries will perform at West Fest to commemorate the original principles of peace, love and spirituality. The Woodstock 40th will begin with a blessing by the American Indigenous People and several Beat Generation poets. There will be many speakers from the Peace Movement, the Free Speech Movement and the Anti-War Movement along with many of the acts who originally performed at Woodstock.
In honor of Jimi Hendrix, who headlined the festival in 1969, 3,000 guitar players will attempt to break the World’s Record for the Largest Guitar Ensemble playing “Purple Haze” at the same time! Players are encouraged to register at:
www.steveroby.com/Jimi_Hendrix_Archives/Register.html.
