Women of Woodstock Issue #40

On the 40th anniversary of America’s greatest rock concert, we highlight the five ladies that ruled the summer of ‘69

By Sarah Grant
Published: June 1st, 2009 | 12:00pm

Nancy Nevins

Beneath a tangled mess of auburn hair, 17-year-old Nancy Nevins’ powerful, lilting vocals grounded the drawn-out jams in Sweetwater’s legendary Woodstock set. The fifth act of the first day, the young band’s 6:15 p.m. set was delayed because of a traffic jam.

What happened? Several months after Sweetwater’s major entrée into the psychedelic scene, Nevins suffered permanent damage to her vocal cords after a drunk driving accident, which halted the band’s mounting exposure. Nevins went on to teach writing and literature at Glendale Community College and is currently writing material for an upcoming solo album.

Melanie Safka

Melanie’s chalky vocals grew from the smoke rings of Greenwich’s folk scene. The ethereal flower child’s Edith Piaf-like quiver filled out an 11:00 p.m. spot on the first night, a slot originally intended for the Incredible String Band, who refused to play in the rain.

What happened? After the chart-topping success of her hit song “Brand New Key” in the early ’70s, Melanie grew weary of her public persona as Woodstock Nation’s token “flower child,” and decided to quit performing. She completed a string of small label studio albums over the years, and recently awed critics at London’s Meltdown Festival in 2007, where she performed along with fellow Woodstock vet, Joan Baez, and has been consistently touring since.

Joan Baez

Joan Baez figured out early in life that inspiring change takes more than a clever hook; every stage she walks across is a podium for politicization and expression. Her Woodstock set was no exception, as the six-months-pregnant Baez used the opportunity to speak out against the draft.

What happened? Although Baez has an impressive 30-album recording career, 2008 saw a revival of her political activism, which Baez claims she consciously veered from post-Vietnam. Barack Obama’s candidacy marked a significant career arc for Baez, and her most recent album, Day After Tomorrow, is proof that her gospel and blues musical roots still run deep.

Janis Joplin

With an asymmetrical voice drenched in Bessie Smith blues, none could turn a song into a stain like Janis Joplin did. Woodstock was a debutante ball for the newly solo Joplin, who performed around 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning. On her electrifying rendition of “Work Me, Lord” she wrung out every last drop of heartache.

What happened? At the height of her rocknroll reign, 27-year-old Joplin overdosed on heroin at the Landmark Motor Hotel in Los Angeles, where her body was found, alone, after twelve hours. Her legacy? The emotional directness and raunchy allure of her music and personality changed the way music was perceived and performed.

Grace Slick

The acidic wit and striking contralto voice of this bold Beat agitator identified Jefferson Airplane’s visionary sound and provocative lyrics. Originally scheduled to headline Saturday night, the band didn’t start until 8:00 a.m. Sunday, when Slick told the sleepy masses “this is morning manic music ... it’s a new dawn.” It was during this set that the pivotal anti-war song, “Volunteers,” was introduced.

What happened? Slick famously said, “I don’t like seeing old people on the rocknroll stage. Myself included!” Unfortunately for fans, she has remained true to that statement over the years. She recently contributed her strong, siren-like vocals to the hidden track on Jefferson Starship’s 2008 release, Jefferson’s Tree of Liberty.