Remember Woodstock? Les Paul was there (video, images)Remember Woodstock? Les Paul was there
Pete Townshend photo source: Gibson.comWith the 40th anniversary of Woodstock just around the corner, combined with the recent death of guitar god Les Paul, it's the perfect time to reminisce about both legends and how they connected.
It was the summer of 69' when Woodstock united music lovers with mostly unknown bands and rock and roll history was made. If you were to ask most people that attended the event, they would tell you that it wasn't the love fest everyone is trying to say it was. It rained-a lot. The ground became a massive mud pit and it was impossible to stay out of it. Bathrooms were located on the outskirts of the festival and trying to get through half a million of your newest best friends was difficult, to say the least. Many people left before Jimi Hendricks ever got on stage to play his legendary rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” But the ones that stuck it out, listened to history in the making.
Carlos Santana photo source: mylespaul.com
Carlos Santana stepped on stage as the fifth performer on the second day (August 16, 1969) and blew away the audience with his set. He played “Persuasion”, “Savor”, “Soul Sacrifice” and “Fried Neckbones” all with a Les Paul guitar.
Two acts later, on that same day, Canned Heat rocked the crowd with a ten set performance that included the now famous “Woodstock Boogie.” All played on Les Paul guitars.
Playing tenth on the same day, Creedence Clearwater Revival, established themselves and set a new standard for southern rock. Included in their set of eleven songs: “Born on the Bayou”, “Bad Moon Rising”, “Proud Mary”, “I Put a Spell on You” and “Suzy Q.” History was made that day on Les Paul guitars.
Lucky number thirteen that day, The Who, didn't disappoint the muddy crowd. With the longest set of the festival, they played a whopping twenty-four songs that night. All played by Pete Townshend's bloody fingers on a Les Paul.
On day three, as the fifth performer, Johnny Winter, played a nine song set, with his brother Edgar sitting in on two of the songs. They, too, used Les Paul guitars on what became known as one of their best performances together.
Les Paul helped lead the way for musicians to perform at their best and Woodstock was the platform many legends stood on at the beginning of their journey. We will forever remember them both for that contribution.
