Richie Havens, Folk Singer Who Opened Woodstock, Has Died

[Cincinnatus]

Richie Havens, a Brooklyn-born singer who sang gospel as a teenager, began playing folk music in Greenwich Village clubs in the 1960s and was the opening act at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair in 1969, died Monday of a heart attack at his home in Jersey City, N.J., according to his agent. He was 72 years old.

Havens had a long career as a musician, but if he had done nothing else, his performance at Woodstock would secure his place in American music history. Havens was the first performer to walk onto the stage at the festival; he sat on a stool and performed for nearly two hours — including an improvisation that incorporated the spiritual "Motherless Child," later called "Freedom." It became a highlight of the documentary about the festival and introduced him to audiences around the world.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/04/22/178470389/richie-havens-folk-singer-who-opened-woodstock-has-died?ft=1&f=1039

[truth_seeker]

I had heard of him, and heard a tape of his, before Woodstock. Probably his first album, "Mixed Bag" 1967.

Whatever his politics, he was a good performer.

[PzLdr]

I had heard of him, and heard a tape of his, before Woodstock. Probably his first album, "Mixed Bag" 1967.

Whatever his politics, he was a good performer.

Saw him at college. He was a one man Four Tops.the lyrics changed but the music stayed the same.