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Woodstock 1969: The Lasting Impact of the Counterculture
“Unique and highly personal. The photos are beautiful and vivid, providing an eyewitness account of this remarkable moment in time. “—Dennis Elsas, WFUV-Radio and Sirius XM On-Air Personality, from his Foreword
Fifty years have passed by the impact of the Woodstock music festival—three days of music and love” lives on as a memory, as an inspiration, and a turning point in American history. Woodstock 1969 stands out for its singular voice.
Photojournalist Jason Lauré followed his unerring instinct for being in the right place at the crucial moment. He and coauthor Ettagale Blauer trace the historic events that preceded the festival and then envelop the reader with photographs of the headliner rock stars that performed during the landmark three-day concert including The Who, Janis Joplin, Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane, and Santana.
Threading his way back and forth from the stage, through a sea of happy audience members, Jason Lauré photographed the communal life that was an essential part of the phenomenon that was Woodstock. Never intrusive, yet working close-up, he managed to capture these innocent moments in the pond and in the woods with the same compassion and intimacy he brought to his coverage of all the crucial events of the era. After Woodstock, he photographed such legends as Jimi Hendrix, Tina Turner, and Jim Morrison of the Doors.
Woodstock 1969 gives the reader an appreciation of the lasting impact of the festival, showing the way it changed the lives of all who experienced it. It served as the high point of the counterculture that started in earnest in the Summer of Love, and also as a leading influence in the decades that followed. The book concludes with a look at Woodstock's lasting legacy, from Greenwich Village and the rock scene of the Fillmore East to the establishment of Earth Day and the burgeoning environmental movement.
Fifty years have passed by the impact of the Woodstock music festival—three days of music and love” lives on as a memory, as an inspiration, and a turning point in American history. Woodstock 1969 stands out for its singular voice.
Photojournalist Jason Lauré followed his unerring instinct for being in the right place at the crucial moment. He and coauthor Ettagale Blauer trace the historic events that preceded the festival and then envelop the reader with photographs of the headliner rock stars that performed during the landmark three-day concert including The Who, Janis Joplin, Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane, and Santana.
Threading his way back and forth from the stage, through a sea of happy audience members, Jason Lauré photographed the communal life that was an essential part of the phenomenon that was Woodstock. Never intrusive, yet working close-up, he managed to capture these innocent moments in the pond and in the woods with the same compassion and intimacy he brought to his coverage of all the crucial events of the era. After Woodstock, he photographed such legends as Jimi Hendrix, Tina Turner, and Jim Morrison of the Doors.
Woodstock 1969 gives the reader an appreciation of the lasting impact of the festival, showing the way it changed the lives of all who experienced it. It served as the high point of the counterculture that started in earnest in the Summer of Love, and also as a leading influence in the decades that followed. The book concludes with a look at Woodstock's lasting legacy, from Greenwich Village and the rock scene of the Fillmore East to the establishment of Earth Day and the burgeoning environmental movement.
152 pages, Hardcover
Published August 7, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 4, 2019
Photographs of Woodstock
This is a photojournalist book of Woodstock and other musical venues in the 60s. The photos are beautiful and great to look at. Very informative and worth looking at.
This is a photojournalist book of Woodstock and other musical venues in the 60s. The photos are beautiful and great to look at. Very informative and worth looking at.
June 6, 2018
Weak on Woodstock and the full scope of the Counterculture
This book was reviewed as part of Amazon's Vine program which included a free copy of the book.
I have been drawn to the 1969 Woodstock event for decades and have an extensive collection of books detailing the concert. With the 50th anniversary of Woodstock approaching, I was hoping this volume would serve as a proper commemoration of the concert and provide something new and unique. Instead, WOODSTOCK 1969 offers nothing more than a rather limited quick-take of the concert and cherry-picked overview on the “impact” of the Counterculture. Albeit, there are some nice (new … to me, at least) photographs of the concert, the textual content of the book is rather elementary. The book would have been better, in my opinion, if it was presented simply as a collection of Lauré’s photographs with brief explanations of the photos and nothing more.
Jason Lauré, a photo-journalist, was present at the heart of some seminal events of the late sixties, including the Woodstock Festival. This book includes numerous photos taken during this time and some are quite impressive, especially those he took at the concert … again, many I have never seen before. My problems with the book stem from its overall presentation and commentary. The full title of the book includes “the Lasting Impact of the Counterculture” appearing as a footnote to the colorful, oversized graphic of “WOODSTOCK 1969”. While the middle of the book focuses on Woodstock, it only represents a rather small portion of the whole book. In other words, it’s a book on the Counterculture with a section devoted to the concert. Additionally, the authors chose to selectively glorify events of the time … we never get the full picture of events.
WOODSTOCK 1969 starts with the roots of the Counterculture: the “Summer of Love” in 1967. This period is presented quite generously as the peaceful hippie gatherings in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district where people “peacefully” “dropped-out and tuned-in” amid a sea of drugs and iconic music. We get the sanitized version of this period and it comes across as quite appealing. Numerous other books detailing the Summer of Love reveal how even those partaking in the Counterculture movement were not immune to greed and criminal intent, not to mention how brief that “Summer of Love” truly was. It is a celebration of everything the hippie generation wanted you to believe it to be: a glorious moment in time.
The section on Woodstock is rather basic and focuses only on the photos taken by Lauré … it does not cover the full concert. We are not offered anything to put the photos in context, only pictures of certain performers in the middle of the concert and some simple commentary. While I think the photos are good, readers are given nothing that really defines the historic nature of the event and I found this tremendously disappointing. Considering the attention-grabbing title of this book, I was expecting much more on the concert itself. Even the commentary accompanying the photos are bland. It would have been nice to hear the photographer’s description of events while the photos were taken … something unique and insightful. While I am somewhat well-read about Woodstock, those who are not will not get anything informative from this book, other than some pictures. There is no account of the festival’s beginning (Richie Havens), its end (Jimi Hendrix) or much of the interesting stuff in-between. Just pictures here and there. Woodstock is iconic in that it happened by accident … it was a disaster that yielded a positive outcome and it can NEVER be replicated. While I feel this event deserves to be recognized, it is important to realize the Woodstock as we know it to be was not planned to happen the way it did. I felt this book could-have and should-have offered more to explain the concert’s unique place in history.
The end of the book picks up where the book started (Woodstock seems to be a diversion) by glorifying the “lasting impact” of the Counterculture. While one cannot deny the late sixties representing the onset of speaking up (individually and collectively), not all of it was/is good. The same environment that spawned Woodstock also spawned iconic notoriety: Charles Manson and the Altamont Festival (“Woodstock West”).
I don’t feel WOODSTOCK 1969 delivers what it promises. Basically, we get a book of photos with basic commentary covering a selective range of events. It is a simple book of photographs that is presented as more.
This book was reviewed as part of Amazon's Vine program which included a free copy of the book.
I have been drawn to the 1969 Woodstock event for decades and have an extensive collection of books detailing the concert. With the 50th anniversary of Woodstock approaching, I was hoping this volume would serve as a proper commemoration of the concert and provide something new and unique. Instead, WOODSTOCK 1969 offers nothing more than a rather limited quick-take of the concert and cherry-picked overview on the “impact” of the Counterculture. Albeit, there are some nice (new … to me, at least) photographs of the concert, the textual content of the book is rather elementary. The book would have been better, in my opinion, if it was presented simply as a collection of Lauré’s photographs with brief explanations of the photos and nothing more.
Jason Lauré, a photo-journalist, was present at the heart of some seminal events of the late sixties, including the Woodstock Festival. This book includes numerous photos taken during this time and some are quite impressive, especially those he took at the concert … again, many I have never seen before. My problems with the book stem from its overall presentation and commentary. The full title of the book includes “the Lasting Impact of the Counterculture” appearing as a footnote to the colorful, oversized graphic of “WOODSTOCK 1969”. While the middle of the book focuses on Woodstock, it only represents a rather small portion of the whole book. In other words, it’s a book on the Counterculture with a section devoted to the concert. Additionally, the authors chose to selectively glorify events of the time … we never get the full picture of events.
WOODSTOCK 1969 starts with the roots of the Counterculture: the “Summer of Love” in 1967. This period is presented quite generously as the peaceful hippie gatherings in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district where people “peacefully” “dropped-out and tuned-in” amid a sea of drugs and iconic music. We get the sanitized version of this period and it comes across as quite appealing. Numerous other books detailing the Summer of Love reveal how even those partaking in the Counterculture movement were not immune to greed and criminal intent, not to mention how brief that “Summer of Love” truly was. It is a celebration of everything the hippie generation wanted you to believe it to be: a glorious moment in time.
The section on Woodstock is rather basic and focuses only on the photos taken by Lauré … it does not cover the full concert. We are not offered anything to put the photos in context, only pictures of certain performers in the middle of the concert and some simple commentary. While I think the photos are good, readers are given nothing that really defines the historic nature of the event and I found this tremendously disappointing. Considering the attention-grabbing title of this book, I was expecting much more on the concert itself. Even the commentary accompanying the photos are bland. It would have been nice to hear the photographer’s description of events while the photos were taken … something unique and insightful. While I am somewhat well-read about Woodstock, those who are not will not get anything informative from this book, other than some pictures. There is no account of the festival’s beginning (Richie Havens), its end (Jimi Hendrix) or much of the interesting stuff in-between. Just pictures here and there. Woodstock is iconic in that it happened by accident … it was a disaster that yielded a positive outcome and it can NEVER be replicated. While I feel this event deserves to be recognized, it is important to realize the Woodstock as we know it to be was not planned to happen the way it did. I felt this book could-have and should-have offered more to explain the concert’s unique place in history.
The end of the book picks up where the book started (Woodstock seems to be a diversion) by glorifying the “lasting impact” of the Counterculture. While one cannot deny the late sixties representing the onset of speaking up (individually and collectively), not all of it was/is good. The same environment that spawned Woodstock also spawned iconic notoriety: Charles Manson and the Altamont Festival (“Woodstock West”).
I don’t feel WOODSTOCK 1969 delivers what it promises. Basically, we get a book of photos with basic commentary covering a selective range of events. It is a simple book of photographs that is presented as more.
June 27, 2018
I received a paperback ARC with black & white photos. There are grammatical and editorial errors throughout which I feel sure will be properly corrected in the published edition. Therefore these did not have any bearing on my opinion.
From the title and description of this book, I expected to receive a "coffee table" worthy book, where the photos are the star and the narrative tells of events leading up to and ending at Woodstock. Followed by a hefty chunk about the "lasting effects" of the counterculture. Instead it's a disorganized hop-scotch thru history, seeming to randomly include and omit information. (Like including Tina Turners abusive marriage and omitting The Manson Family murders...What?) The lack contextual flow left me confused at times. For example: speaking of heros being gone, never having identified who he was referencing, and searching for the pictures I was reading about. In one instance the description and photo were 3 pages apart.
There are a lot of opinions crammed into the narrative - like feminism, individualism, Viet Nam, communes, protesting, riots, etc. But they are not given the space necessary for such topics. From the tragedies of the early 60's, 67's Summer of Love, all the way through the iconic gathering of some 400,000 people on Max Yasgur's dairy farm. All has had a lasting effect on our culture. I expected to read about that here. Sadly, it was basic info that fails to deliver a meaningful walk through an era that's unforgettable. . . Even for those of us who weren't even born yet.
If you love everything Woodstock, I would add this book (in hardback) to my collection. If for no other reason than these are actual photos snapped by Jason Laure nearly 50 years ago!. If you're not ga-ga over this event I would wait for a sale or check it out from local library first.
From the title and description of this book, I expected to receive a "coffee table" worthy book, where the photos are the star and the narrative tells of events leading up to and ending at Woodstock. Followed by a hefty chunk about the "lasting effects" of the counterculture. Instead it's a disorganized hop-scotch thru history, seeming to randomly include and omit information. (Like including Tina Turners abusive marriage and omitting The Manson Family murders...What?) The lack contextual flow left me confused at times. For example: speaking of heros being gone, never having identified who he was referencing, and searching for the pictures I was reading about. In one instance the description and photo were 3 pages apart.
There are a lot of opinions crammed into the narrative - like feminism, individualism, Viet Nam, communes, protesting, riots, etc. But they are not given the space necessary for such topics. From the tragedies of the early 60's, 67's Summer of Love, all the way through the iconic gathering of some 400,000 people on Max Yasgur's dairy farm. All has had a lasting effect on our culture. I expected to read about that here. Sadly, it was basic info that fails to deliver a meaningful walk through an era that's unforgettable. . . Even for those of us who weren't even born yet.
If you love everything Woodstock, I would add this book (in hardback) to my collection. If for no other reason than these are actual photos snapped by Jason Laure nearly 50 years ago!. If you're not ga-ga over this event I would wait for a sale or check it out from local library first.
August 4, 2020
Woodstock and beyond
Four star for the amazing photographs but three for the text. The book is a very quick read. The accompanying text offers only a very superficial view of the festival, the performers, and the overall time period. But it is those amazing photographs that make one stand in awe that such an event took place. I envy anyone who was there and got to see some of these musicians at their peak. It had to be an experience of a lifetime. I was only about a month away from my fifth birthday when Woodstock happened. Hippy culture was not mentioned in the house. I wish the book had more photographs and less text. For most of us this is the closest we'll ever get to Woodstock (except for watching the concert film). All artefacts of this period should be regarded as historically important.
Four star for the amazing photographs but three for the text. The book is a very quick read. The accompanying text offers only a very superficial view of the festival, the performers, and the overall time period. But it is those amazing photographs that make one stand in awe that such an event took place. I envy anyone who was there and got to see some of these musicians at their peak. It had to be an experience of a lifetime. I was only about a month away from my fifth birthday when Woodstock happened. Hippy culture was not mentioned in the house. I wish the book had more photographs and less text. For most of us this is the closest we'll ever get to Woodstock (except for watching the concert film). All artefacts of this period should be regarded as historically important.
May 24, 2018
Please see my review on Amazon.com under C. Wong. Thank you.
January 11, 2020
Mostly photos, with some minimal and (if you’re at all familiar with the subject) not especially interesting text. Just watch the 1970 movie instead.
February 5, 2022
A really fun way to read about the Woodstock festival and the culture it created. The photographs help you imagine what it was like to be there.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews