This is one of only two known complete productions of the original 48 page program commerating Woodstock, “Three Days of Peace and Music“. The event took place at Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York from August 15 – 18, 1969. The Vietnam war was about to reach a tipping point. Thousands of programs were printed. Few, if any, remain in general circulation today.
The idea began at the Morning Glory Cafe in Lincoln, California. I arranged for the ciclee prints to be produced by a small specialty print shop in Marysville, California, and two complete sets were then designed and finished in 2003 by Sierra Hills Framing in Lincoln. I then lost track of the productions following a minor dispute over ownership rights.
Sometime in 2004 I received a call from a commercial photographer in Yuba City, California. He had a set in his possession that he would release to anyone upon payment of $175 owed for portrait services.
The Aquarian Exposition is a companion piece that I created. It is a composite overlay of the second, third and part of the sixth page which reads:
"We gather together To ask the Lord's blessing He chastens and hastens His Will to make known The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing Sing praises to His name He forgets not His own." Howdy friend. What are we doing here? That's not a question I promise to answer, 'cause I'm not even here yet-though I will be. These program booklets have to be prepared and printed up at least a few weeks in advance, and so I'm just sitting at home at my typewriter wondering what you and I will have to say to each other when we actually get together. I may be standing behind you. I love you. We're here, I think, to be together-the music is a large part of our celebration, but it isn't what we're celebrating. - paul williams