Bay Shore NY
8-16-2022 9:40pm

Woodstock Featuring Santana

SKYLARK’S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK – WOODSTOCK FEATURING SANTANA

Woodstock turned 53 this past Monday, August 15, 2022. It was supposed to be a music festival, just like any other, but it turned out to be a three-day music phenomenon unlike any other. Woodstock was a breakout moment for Santana. The band rose to fame when they performed “Soul Sacrifice” on the second day of the festival. The performance helped propel their first album. Other songs on their set list included “Waiting,” “You Just Don’t Care,” “Evil Ways,” and “Persuasion." These went to become major hits for the band that have lasting appeal. I saw Santana this past Saturday night at Jones Beach, and Carlos plays like the young man he was all those years ago when he stepped on stage on Max Yasgur's dairy farm in Bethel, New York. 

We arrived at the theater two hours early to secure a parking spot and set up at Zack’s Bay; a small tidal marsh located on the east end of the main parking lot. As we put our beach chairs down and opened up a fresh can of beer, you could hear the sound check begin and feel the energy rise as the parking lot began to fill up with tailgate parties. Earth, Wind, and Fire opened the show, and it felt like a big family celebration. They played all of their greatest hits, and everyone sang along. Then it was Santana’s turn. Carlos took the stage blasting his guitar to the mega hit, Oye Como Va. This song was actually written by the late, great Tito Puente, but Santana made it famous. Santana’s wife, Cindy Blackman, was on drums. She was Lenny Kravitz’s touring drummer. Yes, that drummer in his hot videos. Carlos’ playing is as crisp as it was back in 1969. The percussion section, which has always been a staple of Santana, stormed their way through each song as the audience moved to the groove. Paul Rekow, who was the band's conga player from 1976 to 2013, passed away in 2015. He was a beloved member of Santana and is sorely missed. It's always great to see Santana live in concert. 

True story. My family and I were driving back from a friend's farm in Wysox, Pennsylvania when suddenly, the traffic on I-95 came to a halt. People from everywhere started to cross in between the cars and we wondered what in the world was happening. We were on that thruway for hours. We didn't know until we got home and heard the news that we were in the midst of Woodstock. You could say we were at Woodstock. But we didn't see Santana perform. We didn't see any of the bands perform. But we did see a site that we've never seen before or since; hundreds of young people walking down the hills surrounding us eager to get to a rock concert that made history.

Woodstock was billed as "an Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music" and alternatively referred to as the Woodstock Rock Festival. It attracted an audience of more than 400,000 young men and women. Thirty-two acts performed outdoors despite sporadic rain. The festival has become widely regarded as a pivotal moment in popular music history as well as a defining event for the counterculture generation, better known as the “hippies.” The event's significance was reinforced by a 1970 documentary film, an accompanying soundtrack album, and a song written by Joni Mitchell that became a major hit for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Music events bearing the Woodstock name were planned for anniversaries, which included the tenth, twentieth, twenty-fifth, thirtieth, fortieth, and fiftieth. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine listed it as one of the pivotal moments that changed rock and roll history. In 2017, the festival site became listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

I love Santana. I’ve seen them about 20 times over the years. One night especially stands out in my mind. Santana was at their peak of fame and performed at Madison Square Garden. After the show, there was a massive drum circle that spontaneously erupted on the streets. I fell in love with hand drumming that night and, as you can see, I’m still at it on the beach. Santana’s African rhythms are the root of his music. He begins his shows with videos of indigenous people dancing frantically to native songs. It’s where it all began.

If you’re going to see Santana anytime soon, be prepared to let your soul soar and dance until your feet get sore. It might feel like a soul sacrifice if just for one night.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, Carlos Santana gets better with each year around the sun. He's 75 now and still a super star.

SKYLARK’S PICK OF THE WEEK – JONES BEACH THEATER

Opened in June 1952 as the New Jones Beach Marine Stadium, the venue originally had 8,200 seats and hosted musicals. Robert Moses had several boxes designated for his own use, and Moses' friend, Guy Lombardo, performed often in the early years. The opening show was the operetta extravaganza A Night in Venice by Johann Strauss II, produced by film producer Mike Todd complete with floating gondolas and starring Enzo Stuarti, Thomas Hayward, Norwood Smith and Nola Fairbanks. During one of these Lombardo performances, the early phonograph recording star Billy Murray died of a heart attack in 1954. A little side note. Mike Todd was Elizabeth Taylor’s third husband, and she was Todd’s third wife. Jones Beach has a lot of intriguing history. Read more at www.jonesbeach.com.

SKYLARK’S SONG OF THE WEEK – WOODSTOCK

I came upon a child of God
He was walking along the road
And I asked him, "Where are you going?"
And this he told me

"I'm going on down to Yasgur's farm
I'm gonna join in a rock 'n' roll band
I'm gonna camp out on the land
I'm gonna try an' get my soul free"

We are stardust
We are golden
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden

"Then can I walk beside you?
I have come here to lose the smog
And I feel to be a cog in something turning"

"Well, maybe it is just the time of year
Or maybe it's the time of man
I don't know who l am
But you know, life is for learning"

We are stardust
We are golden
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden

I am a columnist with Skylark Live Town News (SLTN) and write articles geared to the 60 and beyond population. Topics include human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, music, and events in and around Bay Shore. I also write about restaurants and stores I've been to in the area. You can also watch my first Monday-of-the-month vlog, “60 and Beyond with Skylark" on my YouTube Channel, Skylark Live, that features my articles from SLTN. Please subscribe to my free STLN newsletter that gets delivered directly to your email each Wednesday morning. To support SLTN, you can make a recurring monthly donation ($5 Friend or $15 Advocate) or a one-time donation of any amount. It's up to you, and it's easy to do on my feed. You can also advertise your business or event here as well. Please follow me on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live. Thank you for your support.
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