As the 50th anniversary of Woodstock Music & Arts Festival in New York approaches, Fox Pointe and Lansing Public Library have partnered for a big party.
The free Woodstock — 50th Anniversary Celebration is set for Aug. 9-10 at Fox Pointe in Lansing.
“It was a powerhouse of bands,” said Daryl Grady, a vocalist and acoustic guitar player for the celebration’s first-day headliner Marrakesh Express, via phone while on the way to a gig in LaPorte, Indiana.
The original Woodstock from Aug. 15-17, 1969, featured more than 30 performers including Joan Baez; Creedence Clearwater Revival; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Jimi Hendrix; Santana; and the Who.
Woodstock — 50th Anniversary Celebration offers a chance to enjoy some of the music featured during what was billed as “An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music.”
“It was the entire era of what seemed to be an awakening as far as the whole notion of peace and harmony and the aspect of reaching out for it,” said Grady, of Crown Point, Ind.
“It was a political outcry for change. The songs were poignant. A lot of speeches from the stage were poignant as well,” he said.
Those who experienced the original festival by watching the 1970 documentary “Woodstock” may recall that Crosby, Stills & Nash’s “Long Time Gone” is the first song heard and the trio’s “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” is among the stage performances featured.
“Neil Young was on stage. You don’t see Neil Young in the movie because he refused to sign the waiver. Anytime Neil Young was playing with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, that’s not in the movie,” said Grady about the band which performed in Aug. 18’s wee hours as Woodstock extended into a fourth day.
Some people likely were surprised that Creedence Clearwater Revival, the first group that signed a contract to perform at Woodstock, is also missing from the film.
“John Fogerty didn’t sign off the rights to the performance. If you watch the movie ‘Woodstock,’ Creedence Clearwater Revival does not appear for some reason,” Grady said.
Music by Creedence Clearwater Revival, which was led by Fogerty, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young are featured on the first day of Woodstock — 50th Anniversary Celebration through CCR tribute the Fortunate Sons and CSNY tribute Marrakesh Express.
“When you play 90 minutes or two hours, there are certain songs you have to hit so those songs, of course, will be in the set,” said Grady about classics such as “Our House.”
“We have the luxury of deep cuts but which ones will be featured in Lansing I don’t know until I see the set list. We’ll make sure we’ll play all the favorites.”
Marrakesh Express (www.facebook.com/pg/marrakeshmusic) was formed a decade ago at the suggestion of entertainment manager Mike Kucic, who now manages the band named after a hit on Crosby, Stills & Nash’s self-titled 1969 debut studio album.
Grady’s bandmates include Greg Ashby (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica), David Varella (vocals, acoustic guitar), Joe “Joe Kidd” Baranowski (electric and acoustic guitar), Pete Calacci (electric guitar), Michael Flannery (bass guitar), Rick Hemphill (keyboards, vocals) and Glenn Miller (drums, percussion).
“It’s fantastic that we’re in the band together because it keeps the friendship going. As life gets in the way friends come and go but being in a project together keeps us meeting for practices and gigs. We get to travel,” Grady said.
“Through these experiences the bond is not only there but perpetuated by the longevity of the band.”
He attributed the length of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s popularity to several factors.
“First is familiarity with the music. It’s something you hear on the radio all the time whether it’s Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Neil Young, the Hollies; Manassas; Buffalo Springfield or any of the other projects that they were involved with,” Grady said.
“You’re very familiar with the artists and music. The second thing is the harmonies were really the driving point for the vocalists. As an adult, the lyrical aspect of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young was a driving point too. It’s not only beautiful music but it’s poignant and purposeful too.”
Woodstock — 50th Anniversary Celebration continues on Aug. 10 with Anna Stange performing Baez tunes, Rico! performing Santana songs, Who’s Next playing the Who’s hits and Axis going on last with the music of Jimi Hendrix, who closed the original Woodstock.
Woodstock — 50th Anniversary Celebration
When: 4-10:30 p.m. Aug. 9; 1-10:30 p.m. Aug. 10
Where: Fox Pointe, 18138 Henry St., Lansing
Details: Admission is free. For more information call 708-895-7204 or go to www.foxpointe.org
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer for the Daily Southtown
