18.+Oral+History+Questions

Joey Karnes ** Oral History Interview Questions **

My uncle was at a park when one of his friends brought a flyer to him. This was the first he had heard about it. Rumor had it that popular bands such as Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, or the Beatles would make an appearance. This made him want to go. (Even though those bands weren’t there.)
 * 1. How did you hear about Woodstock? What made you want to go? **

It was not easy to get to Woodstock for my uncle. After skipping a painting job, he had his brother drive him and two of his friends to the airport at 2 in the morning, where they took a plane to New York. Once they got to New York, they hitchhiked for a while, until being dropped off and walking another 15 or so miles. The highways were all closed due to the density of people.
 * 2. How did you get there? Was it easy for you to get there? **

He described it as an “amazing experience.” He told me he was definitely satisfied with the festival overall and that he loved the music. He couldn’t stress enough how easy the people were to be around. Everyone around him shared what they had, cooperated with each other, and was kind to each other. His favorite part was being with all the people and at the same time enjoying the music.
 * 3. Can you describe your experience at Woodstock? (Were you satisfied with it? What was your favorite part?) **

It was very easy for him to get around and enjoy Woodstock as far as people. He described that his biggest issue was the weather because on some days it would be 90 degrees and humid, and suddenly it could be thunder storming.
 * 4. When it came to the crowd and people around you, did you find it easy to enjoy Woodstock? What challenges did you, as a spectator face? **

“It went way beyond the hype it had,” he said. It was one of the greatest times of his life, not to mention an incredible experience. Although it was the largest music festival that had ever hit the world back then, he did not expect it to be such a historical event, but described that it was completely worth going to and lived up to all the hype, and then some.
 * 5. Woodstock was a highly regarded event in the late 1960’s. As someone who was actually there, do you think it lived up to the hype? **

My uncle said to me that he remembered most being in the crowd and how nice everyone was. They shared a common desire to enjoy the music and have a good time. He thought one of the most amazing things was that the people were able to survive and stay at peace with each other almost the entire time.
 * 6. What can you remember the most from Woodstock? **

“It wasn’t a festival as much as it was a life-changing experience and an incredibly memorable event. Just being there was amazing, and the fact that everyone was okay and alive by the end was interesting to me.” While there, he thought about what people would ask him 20 (or 42) years from now. Although he didn’t quite anticipate it being looked back on so much, he “knew it was something special.”
 * 7. How was Woodstock more than just a music festival to you? **

During the time, many people didn’t like the hippies and the culture and life style they lived by. He felt that Woodstock didn’t do much to change people’s views on that group of people, but it did change the views of people’s respect for one another, which changed the world in a way when it comes to trusting society.
 * 8. How did Woodstock affect society? **

Once again, he described it as life changing. But he focused on the experience and bringing that back home with him. One thing he mentioned was that it was filled with interesting people. It gave him a different opinion on the world in general that you didn’t have to always be the person that society expected you to be. Not only was Woodstock filled with hippies and average people who love music like my uncle, there were American soldiers returning from the Vietnam war and of many other walks of life.
 * 9. How did Woodstock affect your life? **

He would not change a thing about it. He said, “Everything was part of the experience.” That included the bad weather and even his friend having his duffle bag stolen. He didn’t say he would go back however. He referred to it as a once in a lifetime experience. Not only did he say that there could not be something like this again, he said his age prevented him from going and that it was a “young mans’ game.” He really enjoyed his time at Woodstock, but doubted society today would make it possible for it to be the same ever again.
 * 10. Based on your experience at Woodstock, would you go again? If so, what would you change about it? **