My Conversations with Woodstock Performers
Woodstock took place 50 years ago (August 15-18, 1969). If you find yourself in a Woodstock frame of mind, you might be interested in reading some interviews with artists who were there. Over the last decade-plus, I’ve had the honor and pleasure of talking to a few of them. Here’s a list with links.
- Richie Havens
- Santana [Interview #1] [Interview #2]
- Creedence Clearwater Revival (Stu Cook and Doug “Cosmo” Clifford) [Interview #1] [Interview #2] [Interview #3 (external link)]
- Jefferson Airplane (Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady) [Interview #1] [Interview #2]
- Ten Years After (Alvin Lee)
- Johnny Winter
- Blood, Sweat & Tears (Steve Katz)
There were several artists asked to perform who (for one reason or another) didn’t appear. I’ve interviewed a few of them as well:
- Tommy James and the Shondells
- The Moody Blues [Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder] [Ray Thomas] [Mike Pinder] [Graeme Edge]
- The Doors (Ray Manzarek)
- Procol Harum (Gary Brooker)
- Jethro Tull (Ian Anderson) [Intervew #1] [Interview #2] [Interview #3] [Interview #4]
- The Rascals (Felix Cavaliere) [Interview #1] [Interview #2]
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.