Richie Havens

Richie Havens delivered an inspirational set of classic songs

and thrilled fans young & old!

We had a chance to pay tribute to the 40th Anniversary of the Woodstock Festival this year. In 1969, Havens opened the Woodstock Festival, although he was initially scheduled to appear fifth on the bill. His performance received continuous ovations and he kept playing encores until he ran out of songs. Finally, he decided to improvise a version of "Motherless Child," to which he added a verse with the word "freedom" repeated over and over; the song was featured in the Woodstock film, and became an international hit.

Festival Grounds Blog Photographer,
Peggy Fusco