Barefoot in Babylon
Page 62
Two of the first sources whom Stanley suggested I contact were Al and Ethel Romm from the Times Herald Record in Middletown, New York. “They’re holding a few clippings which may be of interest to you,” was how he had put it. In fact, their “few clippings” turned out to be a concise scrapbook of newspaper accounts surrounding the festival that had been considered for a Pulitzer Prize in journalism and which Ethel had updated over the years. They insisted I be a guest in their home while conducting research in the Middletown-Wallkill area, afforded me credibility in a community whose memories of the festival were less than fond, and gave me complete access to both the paper’s and their private files. Additionally, the Romms provided me with a copy of the scrapbook, which is directly responsible for the proper sequencing of events.
As my preliminary investigation progressed, I discovered that the festival underground was, indeed, still very much alive. One staff member led me to another until almost everyone had been accounted for. I found that the Woodstock Festival staff remains a very closely knit family, and I am grateful to them for entrusting me with their story.
The four promoters were tremendously accessible to my innumerable phone calls and visits. For John Roberts and Joel Rosenman, the recollections were often painful, often amusing; at no time, however, did their personal interests interfere with a candid and forthright record of the facts. Because of Joel’s busy schedule, information about many of the events described herein was imparted by John Roberts; however, this does not diminish Joel’s role. They made available to me the complete Woodstock Ventures files, including thousands of memos exchanged by the staff and a full financial accounting of expenditures. I owe heartfelt thanks to them, as well as to the staff of Media Sound Studio. Michael Lang treated me to a series of rare, illuminating interviews, including one that took place on a coast-to-coast trip. Artie Kornfeld, whose wife, Linda, died suddenly during my research, miraculously stood up to the ardors of soul-searching at a time in his life when it was more advantageous for him to forget. Their part in this work is beyond measure.
Wes Pomeroy, whose initial conversations with me took place at his office in the White House, showed me a compassionate side of law enforcement I never dreamed existed. He is a remarkable man and an inspiration, not only to me, but to most of the people who worked alongside of him at the festival.
Mel Lawrence, Lee Mackler Blumer, John Morris, and Penny Stallings endured countless interviews in order that the facts and incidents contained in this story might be presented with accuracy and reflect the spirit of Woodstock. Mrs. Miriam (Yasgur) Mass and Sam Yasgur shared their memories of Max with enormous verve and a profound sense of loss. Additionally, I am obliged to Carol Green, Chip Monck, Chris Langhart, Bill Abruzzi, Bert Cohen, Bill Hanley, Ticia Bernuth, Bill Ward, Jean Ward, Jeff Joerger, Hugh Romney, Bonnie Jean Romney, Bill Belmont, Lisa Law, Renee Levine, Judy Bernstein, Harold Cohen, Charles Baxter, Barry Secunda, Peter Loeds, and Rufus Friedman, all of whom contributed their accounts of the festival freely and without reservation.
Wherever I traveled, I was shown hospitality and unbiased cooperation. In Wallkill: Jack Schlosser, Howard Mills, Jr., Pat Mills, Samuel W. Eager, Jr., Karen Eager, Jules Minker, Dennis Cosgrove, and Irma Sattarelle, the town clerk, who provided me with complete transcripts of the town meetings. In Bethel: Louis Ratner, Harold Pantell, Richard Gross, Dr. Charles Rudiger, Robert Flynn and the Monticello Sherrifs Department, Mrs. Rikki Sanderson, and the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors.
Richie Havens, Country Joe McDonald, and Myra Friedman filled in the behind-the-scenes details involving the performers and their managers. Pat Costello and Jane Friedman of the Wartoke Concern, Dick Gersh, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lang, Miles Lourie, Paul Marshall, Tom Rounds, Michael Wadleigh, Ellen Lemisch, Don Keiter, Bob Lenox, and Bill Reid also provided me with their remembrances, as well as personal correspondence, clippings, and photos.
Trish McPhail, my research assistant, amassed a veritable treasure of library information, catalogued the facts, and transcribed hundreds of hours of taped interviews that ultimately became Barefoot in Babylon!
The people at Viking have been overwhelmingly supportive of a “small book” that mushroomed into an epic none of us knew was there. My thanks to Tom Guinzberg and Becky Singleton who firmly believed there was a story to be told; and to my editor, Vicky Stein, who inherited a cumbersome manuscript, poured her soul into it, gave it shape and me encouragement. She was an ideal editor for a project about the festival; she knows about things like peace and love, and also happens to be a consummate rock and roller. Additionally, I want to thank Connie Sayre, Nanette Kritzalis, Deborah Harris, and Beth Tondreau for their publishing expertise and creative input.
Lastly, I am indebted to Starling Lawrence at W.W. Norton for his continued support of my writing and for an abiding fondness for this book, which inspired him to republish it.
BOB SPITZ
Credits
Map by Paul J. Pugliese, GCI
Photograph on front of jacket and paperback cover: John Dominis, Courtesy Life magazine
A portion of this book, in slightly different form, originally appeared in Penthouse.
Alkatraz Corner Music Co.: “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag,” © 1965, 1968 by Joe McDonald, Alkatraz Corner Music Co. (1977).
Garland Publishing Inc.: “Ode,” by Arthur W. E. O’Shaughnessey.
Jondora Music: “Lodi,” words and music by J. C. Fogerty. Copyright © 1969 Jondora Music, Berkeley, Ca. Used by permission.
Luvlin Music and Akabestal Music: “Rain, the Park and Other Things,” written by Artie Kornfeld and Steve Duboff. © 1967, Luvlin Music and Akabestal Music. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., Michael Yeats, and A. P. Watt: “The Second Coming,” from Collected Poems of William Butler Yeats. Copyright 1924 by Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., renewed 1952 by Bertha Georgie Yeats.
MCA Music: “Born to Be Wild,” words and music by Mars Bonfire. © Copyright 1968 by Manitou Music, a division of Revue Studios Limited. Sole selling agent Duchess Music Corporation, New York, New York 10022. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
John Roberts and Joel Rosenman: from Young Men with Unlimited Capital.
Gail Sheehy: from “The Woodstock Story,” by Gail Sheehy. (Originally appeared in New York magazine.) Copyright © 1969 by Gail Sheehy. Used by permission.
United Artists: “Handsome Johnny,” by Richie Havens and Louis Goussett. Copyright © 1967 Unart Music Corporation.
Index
The page numbers in this index refer to the printed version of this book. To find the corresponding locations in the text of this digital version, please use the “search” function on your e-reader. Note that not all terms may be searchable.
ABC-TV, 435
Abraham, Morris, 249, 252–54, 262–64, 265, 385
Abruzzi, Dr. William, 290–92, 307, 331, 352–55, 378–79, 386–87, 407, 417–18, 423, 433
Adler, Lou, 86–87
Albany, N.Y., 142, 349, 397, 404
Aldon Music, 23
All-State Bus Corporation, 217
Amatucci, Daniel J., 265–66, 281
American Airlines, 197, 294
Andersen, Eric, 378
Angels, 23
Annenberg School of Communications, 8, 11
Anthony, Dee, 163
Apollo 11, 262
Aquarian Crafts Bazaar, 308
Aquarian Music and Arts Fair, 67–68, 125, 132, 136, 137, 144, 150, 160, 175, 178, 188, 199, 209, 212, 220, 222, 227, 234, 237, 244, 255, 261, 278, 359, 414, 417, 439
Areas, Jose “Chepito,” 392
Armstrong, Neil, 263
Aronowitz, AI, 335, 381
Atlantic Records, 434
Auerbach, Leon, 159
Avatar, 177
“Bad Moon Rising,” 7
2
Baez, Joan, 100, 158–59, 367, 381–82, 383, 386
Balin, Marty, 411, 415
Band, The, 15, 18, 25, 35, 47–48, 93, 161, 378, 399, 431–32
Bank of North America, 71, 101, 437–38
Barb, 177
Barsalona, Frank, 163
Bastard Sons, 308–9, 325, 376
Beach Boys, 25
Beacon Hospital, 292
Beat Generation, The, 89
Beatles, 14, 25, 29, 47–48, 73, 93, 162, 377
Beck, Jeff, 163, 318
Beiler, Richard, 418
Belafonte, Harry, 86
Belmont, Bill, 334, 367–72
Bender, Max, 306
Bernuth, Ticia, 108–10, 116, 180–81, 205, 244–45, 250–52, 315, 324, 364, 390, 402, 425
Berry, Chuck, 22, 34, 60
Bethel, N.Y., 244–45, 248–49, 251, 257, 260, 264, 265–66, 267–69, 277, 281, 282–84, 286, 287, 293, 301, 312, 324–27, 342–44, 351, 362, 374, 394, 439
Bethel Businessman’s Association, 282–83
Bethel Medical Center, 284
Bethel town and zoning boards, 265, 287
Big Pink. See medical
Black Shirts, 324, 333, 364, 403
Block, Alexander, 5
Block Drugs, 5
Blood, Sweat and Tears, 100, 124, 161, 431
Board of Health, 57, 95–96, 97, 153, 172, 235, 282, 391, 397
“Born on the Bayou,” 72
Boston, Mass., 95, 132, 216, 329–30, 392
Boston Globe, 343
Brandt, Jerry, 203
Bridges, Beau, 11
Bright, Kimberly, 93
Bronx, N.Y., 23, 40
Brooklyn, N.Y., 23, 26, 32, 58
Brown’s Hotel, 245
Buffalo Commune, 197
Buffalo Springfield, 373, 434
Bullville, N.Y., 120, 127
Burger King, 119–20, 222
Burrelle’s Clipping Service, 102
Butler, Joe, 373
Butterfield, Paul, 60, 432, 485
Byrds, 373
Cafe Au Go Go, 203
campgrounds, 96, 122, 137–38, 153, 171–72, 176, 193, 196, 198, 233, 285, 287, 289, 294, 296–97, 303, 328, 359, 384–85, 406–7
Canned Heat, 60, 81, 402, 408, 410, 412
Cannon Films, 281
capitalism, 70, 80, 88, 147, 149, 150, 178, 301, 395, 416
Capitol Records, 14–16, 24–27, 30, 35, 36, 37, 46–48, 52, 53–54, 84, 431
Carnegie Tech, 156
Carrabello, Mike, 392
Catskill Mountains, 94, 120, 175, 193, 252, 277, 283, 306, 387, 405, 419
Cavett, Dick, 435
Central Intelligence Agency, 257
Central Park, 177
Challenge International, Ltd., 12, 13, 14, 18, 35, 103
Charles, Ray, 4, 420
Charleston, N.C., 19
Chicago, Ill., 95, 110–13, 146
Chicago Transit Authority, 124, 219
Chip Monck Industries Corp., 89
Chock Full o’Nuts, 225
Christians for Social Action, 115
Christopher, Warren, 112
Circleville, N.Y., 222
Circleville Inn, 145
City College, 285
Clapton, Eric, 163
Clark, Ramsey, 75, 111–13
Clayton-Thomas, David, 124
Clean-up. See sanitation
Clergy Assistance Program, 293
Cobb, George L., 283–84
Cocker, Joe, 46, 162, 419–21
Coconut Grove, Fla., 26, 32–33, 365
Cohen, Bert, 58, 62, 66–70, 79, 81–85, 92, 148, 155–57, 361, 399, 430
Cohen, Ralph, 203, 218, 285
Cohen, Steve, 92, 156–58, 232, 234, 269, 270–71, 300, 315, 364, 376
Cole, Nat King, 14
Columbia Medical School, 290
Columbia Pictures, 315
Columbia Records, 10, 46, 213–14, 392
Columbia University, 432
Community General Hospital, 379
Concerned Citizens Committee, 219, 221, 238, 255–56, 294
Concert Hall Publications, 58, 66–67, 69–70, 82, 148, 156
concessions, 39, 58, 94, 96–98, 124, 143, 186–87, 193, 225–26, 229, 269, 288, 300–302, 303, 305, 308, 309–10, 324–25, 332, 339–42, 352, 360–61, 378, 384, 386, 394–95, 402–6, 416, 418–19, 420, 425, 433
Concord, 245, 419
construction, 97, 122, 125–26, 145, 181, 189, 215, 233–34, 268, 270–71, 297, 300, 303–4, 305–7, 308–10, 315, 364
Cook, Bruce, 89
Cordell, Denny, 162
Cosgrove, Dennis, 145–46
Country Joe and the Fish, 60, 334–35, 368, 370, 430
Cow Palace, 115
Cowsills, 24
Crazy World of Arthur Brown, 34
Cream, 46
Creedence Clearwater Revival, 72, 159, 160, 398, 399, 410
Criteria Sound Studios, 47, 62
Crosby, Stills and Nash, 131, 271, 382, 434
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, 434–35
Daley, Mayor Richard J., 111–13
Daltry, Roger, 411, 414
Danko, Rick, 409
Dave Clark Five, 377
David’s Potbelly, 158
Davis, Clive, 213–14
Davis, Rennie, 111–12
“Dead Man’s Curve,” 23
“Delta Lady,” 420
Democratic National Convention, 111
Diamond Horseshoe Hotel, 277–78, 307, 344, 388
Dion, 23
Domino, Fats, 22
Donovan, 159
Doors, The, 61
Dow, Richard, 132, 136, 140, 240
Drake, Bill, 60
Drevers, Jay, 271, 296–97, 307–8, 329, 335, 364, 380, 425
Driscoll, Tom, 60–61, 62–63
drugs, 7, 27, 32, 33–34, 35, 42, 46, 83–85, 102, 106, 129, 137, 147, 166, 175–77, 181–83, 190, 191, 195, 219–20, 286, 291–93, 295, 307, 312, 322, 326–27, 329, 344, 352–54, 358–59, 365, 368, 373, 379, 384, 399, 407–9, 412, 414, 438
Dulles International Airport, 74
Dunbrook, Harrison F., 222
Dylan, Bob, 15, 18, 29, 35, 47, 73, 93, 100, 133, 159, 214, 335, 378, 431
Eager, Karen, 320
Eager, Samuel W., Jr., 151–54, 185, 188, 206, 236–42, 320
East Village Other, 177, 294
Elder, Boyd, 97
Electric Circus, 203
electricity, 49, 97, 122, 143, 232, 233, 272–73, 328, 356, 364, 367, 378, 380, 386, 421, 427–30, 433
Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, The, 122
Elektra Records, 213
El Monaco Motel, 245–47, 252, 255, 262, 269–70, 272
Emerick, George, 61
Ertegun, Ahmet, 434
Fabbri, John, 114, 200–202, 204, 217–19, 224–25, 320, 338, 343, 350, 389, 424, 428–29
Fabrikant, Herbert F., 236–37
Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival. See rock festivals
Federal Aviation Agency, 95, 362
Federal Bureau of Investigation, 257, 339, 351–52
“Feelin’ Alright,” 162
Feliciano, Jose, 60
Fifth Dimension, 59
Filippini, William, 311
Fillmore East, 68, 83, 85–86, 87, 92, 99, 148, 155, 158, 161, 177, 203, 271, 273, 335, 376, 400, 412
Fillmore West, 87, 212
Fink, Joe, 203, 218, 285–86, 322–23, 336
Flatt and Scruggs, 60
Fleetwood Mac, 60
Food For Love, 230–32, 293, 309, 325, 332, 340, 343, 351, 361, 378, 389, 394–95, 403, 404–5, 419, 438
Forad, Jim, 180
Foreman, Michael, 66–67, 79, 155–56
Fosburgh, Lacey, 344
Foster, Paul, 296
Free Kitchen, 80–81, 172, 194–95, 196, 297, 328, 378, 419
Freer, Herbert, 238, 240–41
Free Stage, 80, 181, 297, 381–82, 392
Friedman, Jane, 156
Friedman, Myra, 411–12
Fulbright, Sen. James W., 7
Ganoung, Don, 114–15, 131–32, 138–39, 141, 166, 168, 176, 199, 201–2, 204, 216–19, 222, 223–24, 227, 232–33, 238–39, 284–85, 286–87, 291–93, 295, 337, 343, 433, 474–75
Garcia, Jerry, 411
Gaye, Marvin, 60
Gersh, Dick, 103
Gillett, Charlie, 434
Goffin, Gerry, 23
“Goin’ Home,” 431
Goldmacher, Donald, 385, 409–10
Goldstein, Stanley, 47–52, 55–58, 62, 67–68, 70, 74–90, 93–94, 96, 99–100, 102, 108–10, 113, 115–16, 123, 127, 130–32, 134–41, 143–44, 150–51, 153, 166–68, 172–74, 186, 188, 193–99, 206, 232–36, 238, 245–46, 263–64, 273, 281, 293, 295, 297–99, 316, 385, 404–5
Goodgold, Ed, 432
Goodrich, Peter, 34, 98, 224–25, 229–32, 309, 325, 330, 332–33, 340, 341, 386, 402–3
Goshen, N.Y., 150, 216, 235, 273
Graham, Bill, 85–88, 159–61, 163–65, 393
Grand Central Station, 293
Grant, James, 195, 198
Grateful Dead, 59–60, 159–60, 375, 382, 400–401, 410
Grease Band, 420
Green, Carol, 191, 276
Greenfield, Howard, 23
Greenhill, Manny, 100
Greenwich Village, 26, 32, 90, 91, 104, 146, 150, 177, 203, 230, 373
Grimm, Tom, 301
Gross, Henry, 432
Gross, Richard, 266, 320, 389
Grossinger, Jennie, 394
Grossinger’s Hotel, 245, 394, 418
Grossman, Albert, 93
Gulf Stream Racetrack, 34, 60