A half century ago in the summer of ’69, the Woodstock Music Festival sprawled out over Max Yasgur’s barn in rural New York. The legendary 3 days of peace and music will be celebrated 50 years later with the Woodstock 50, a three-day music festival being held at the huge racetrack at Watkins Glen, NY. (There is another 50th anniversary festival happening at the original site in Bethel, NY, but it’s expected to be smaller in scale.)

Woodstock 50’s lineup has just been announced, and it’s a mix of classic rock and older bands joined by younger bands who have little in common, musically, with the original sound of the festival. Co-founder of the 50th anniversary 3-day music festival and the original Woodstock, Michael Lang, is targeting fans from multi-generations. Tickets go on sale April 22.

On Friday, August 16, Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters will play, along with original Santana. John Fogerty returns solo, after playing the original with CCR. Robert Plant’s original band, Zeppelin, turned down Woodstock back in ’69.

Other returnees from the original festival include: John Sebastian, Melanie, Dead & Company, Hot Tuna, David Crosby solo (played with CSNY in the original), Country Joe McDonald and Canned Heat. The Zombies are scheduled for Sunday, August 18.

Plenty of newer rock acts will play, like: The Killers, The Lumineers, The Black Keys, Greta Van Fleet, Portugal. The Man, Brandi Carlile and Imagine Dragons, Urban and pop acts will also be in the lineup, including: Jay Z, Chance the Rapper, Common, Halsey and Miley Cyrus. Throw in Dawes, India Arie, etc. and you’ve got an eclectic mix for sure. Are you up for an August roadtrip?

Doc Watson