5. Why Hippies Love Granola
Reports of food shortages brought out the best in the local people. They gathered extensive food donations and the National Guard airlifted supplies to the concert venue. Nuns came to distribute sandwiches, pickles, fruit, canned goods and water to the revelers, some of whom hadn’t eaten for days. The Hog Farm Collective, who had been hired as security, also stepped in to help with food concessions. They served brown rice, vegetables and, you guessed it, granola, as easy nourishment for a big crowd. A famous announcement was made, “What we have in mind is breakfast in bed for four hundred thousand! Now it’s gonna be good food and we’re going to get it to you. We’re all feedin’ each other.” Granola has been the cliché food of the hippie generation ever since.
6. Some Acts Were No Shows
The Jeff Beck Group, featuring Rod Stewart and Ron Wood, were supposed to play at Woodstock 69. However, the band broke up on the eve of the concert – a move Beck later regretted. Bob Dylan was one of the main stars set to play, but one of his kids was in hospital that weekend so The Band played on without him. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young almost didn’t make it on stage. Nash and drummer Dallas Taylor were in a near helicopter crash trying to fly in as the roads to Woodstock were blocked.