Flashback | Jimi Hendrix At Woodstock – 45 Years Later

The Woodstock Music & Art Fair was billed as “3 Days of Peace & Music,” but in the end the music spanned beyond the three promised days since Jimi Hendrix closed out the legendary event on the morning of Monday, August 18, 1969 -45 years ago today. Many festivalgoers had already left the concert grounds in Bethel, NY and wound up missing out on one of the most famed sets of all-time.

While the festival’s MC, Chip Monck, introduced the group as the Jimi Hendrix Experience, the guitarist clarified that “We decided to change the whole thing around and call it Gypsy Sun and Rainbows. For short, it’s nothin’ but a Band of Gypsys.” Jimi was backed by drummer Mitch Mitchell, bassist Billy Cox, guitarist Larry Lee and percussionists Juma Sultan and Jerry Velez for his 90+ minute performance which included takes on such songs as “Spanish Castle Magic,” “Izabella,” “Fire” and a memorable cover of “The Star Spangled Banner” that appears on many lists of the best versions of the anthem of all-time.

Hendrix brought his set and the festival to a close with “Hey Joe” and supposedly collapsed from exhaustion after leaving the stage. To re-live Jimi’s memorable set, we’ve compiled audio and video for your listening and viewing pleasure.

Audio

Video