webfact Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Woodstock icon Richie Havens dies at 72Richie Havens 1974File photo, source: Wikipedia.orgJERSEY CITY: -- Richie Havens, the folk singer who opened the legendary 1969 Woodstock rock festival, has died of a heart attack at 72.He died at his home in Jersey City, New Jersey, his agent, Roots Agency, told Reuters.Born in Brooklyn, New York, the musician was famous for his distinctive guitar and singing style.Recalling Woodstock, Havens once said: "Everything in my life, and so many others', is attached to that train.''His improvised version of the gospel song Motherless Child evolved into Freedom at the festival and became an anthem of the 1960s hippie generation.The Woodstock concert film captured his performance for posterity.Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22259627-- BBC 2013-04-23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post webfact Posted April 23, 2013 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 23, 2013 Richie Havens performing Freedom at Woodstock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA51wyl-9IE 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 RIP - you've got your freedom You were a true legend 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maidu Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I saw Ritchie perform at Sylvan theatre, right below DC's Washington monument. It was the first official 'Earth Day'. Corretta Scott King spoke there, and the Chambers Brothers performed. Great day all around. Bye bye Ritchie, love ya, dude. Interesting, but not surprising to me, that so many musicians we now hold dear, got a great springboard leap from Woodstock. Just recently, we paid homage to Alvin Lee in a similar vein. Would have been fun to have been at some of those backstage get-togethers during Woodstock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retell Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 another icon gone Rest in peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geriatrickid Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 3 hours opening act at Woodstock when the other performers couldn't get through traffic. I can't see lady Gaga, Bieber, or any KPop group working 3 hours straight. That man sure had some work ethic. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Scott Posted April 23, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted April 23, 2013 3 hours opening act at Woodstock when the other performers couldn't get through traffic. I can't see lady Gaga, Bieber, or any KPop group working 3 hours straight. That man sure had some work ethic. My guess is that he had a little help from his friends. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses G. Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 The only thing I know about Richie Havens was "Freedom" at Woodstock, but it was a hell of a song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retell Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 gonna be dusting off some old vinyl still got the original woodstock albums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 his song "Freedom" became an 'anthem' for many.... including me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackh Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Rip to a great legend. I was fortunate enough to see him preform at Woodstock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesMad Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Rest In Peace, Brother Freedom at Last Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace of Pop Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Richie. P. Havens.......R.I. P. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghooper Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 His music takes me back to my youth and all the concerts, almost weekly, we attended. The 60s were an awesome time to grow up in. You will be greatly missed. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dap Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Tip o' the hat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeMaiDee Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Truly talented artist with a voice of gold. Gone Home. Will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine51 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 "Music is in the air...then it's gone"...unknown. R. I P. Richie...Your muisic kept me alive through difficult times. I will miss you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locationthailand Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 We with the memories of Woodstock know our time will come, some just checked out a bit earlier. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nattydread Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I love his version of "here comes the sun"....RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NowImEasy Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 (edited) The summer of 69 I saw Richie Havens at Woodstock, Newport and Central Park. And the highlight of that time for me was to meet him at Passim (nee Club 47) in Harvard Square where I had the chance to share a few words with him. He was humble, gentle, and a truly beautiful human being. He would sit on a stool, put his guitar over his crossed knee, and start his totally unique strumming. He'd pound the strings, eyes closed, sweat pouring down, until he and his audience were tapping their feet, clapping hands, totally as one. Wow.. the memories. His gravelly voice was incomparable, definitely helped by having no teeth. He got teeth in the 80s and did a TV commercial, but the voice was different. Anyone remember the ad? His first album was "Mixed Bag" for anyone who has never heard his music. Edited April 23, 2013 by NowImEasy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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