Prospect For Woodstock

Michael Lang, one of the principal organizers of Woodstock, told Pollstar that, despite what a New York Times article may have implied, chances of a 40th anniversary show are pretty good.

Lang and Joel Rosenman, who, along with Artie Kornfeld and John Roberts, put together Woodstock, have had a tough time getting their newest version together, the Times reported May 10. Lang and Rosenman are bickering and there may not be a Woodstock tribute show at all, despite dozens of other events this year commemorating the historic concert, according to the Times.

“It just seemed like a ridiculous non-story. The guy just sort of had a premise and decided if he could fit a story around it,” Lang told Pollstar. “[Rosenman and I] don’t really disagree about anything other than our chances. I’m a little more optimistic. I still think there’s a good shot of getting something together in September.”

It all comes down to the sponsor package, Lang said. The location would be Prospect Park in Brooklyn. He added that New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe confirmed on National Public Radio May 11 that the department was in discussions with Lang and Rosenman, and that Benepe would love for the event to be held at the park.

The event would be a one-day affair, starting around noon, with about a dozen contemporary and legacy acts on the main stage, Lang said. It would be free although a ticket will be needed for entrance. There will be focus on ecology, the economy and the state of the human condition, Lang added. Capacity would be around 150,000.

“The thread of this thing is it’s a green event. And the reason why we want to do this in the city is it will involve public transportation. A lot of bands are concerned with green touring and cutting the carbon footprint,” Lang said. “That’s the kind of artist we want to have involved.”

Meanwhile, there are dozens of commemorative events planned, including an Ang Lee movie called “Taking Woodstock” and a Heroes of Woodstock tour with Jefferson Starship and Melanie.