Woodstock original sings at reunion

Press, 21 August 1989, Page 8

Woodstock original sings at reunion

NZPA-AP Bethel, New York The pop singer, Melanie, who appeared at the Woodstock rock festival 20 years ago, gave a repeat performance on Saturday for about 10,000 people who came to commemorate the epic event. “Twice in one lifetime, what more could you want?” Melanie, aged 42, asked the audience during her 45minute appearance at the farm once owned by the late Max Yasgur. The crowd had been waiting all week for a performance by a musician who appeared at the original Woodstock music and art festival on August 15-17, 1969, which drew more than 400,000 young people. Sporadic showers sent thousands scurrying for cover, and some left.

Rain turned the original Woodstock into a muddy mess, but concert-goers two decades ago endured it to hear and see their idols. Melanie, whose full name is Melanie Safka, sang from a makeshift stage. She had appeared the night before at a show billed as a Woodstock Reunion Concert being held at a Catskill Mountains hotel. Until Melanie’s performance, the closest thing at the original site to a 1969 performer was Al Hendrix, father of late guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Al Hendrix appeared and signed autographs, Mr Hoppey said. An estimated 20,000 people converged on the site on Friday night. The celebration attracted old hippies, their younger counterparts, college kids and the curious.