WOODSTOCK 9 OF 12
- 17 years ago
WOODSTOCK FESTIVAL PART 9 OF 12
-Refused Invitations-
* The promoters contacted John Lennon, requesting for The Beatles to perform. Lennon said that he couldn't get the Beatles, but offered to play with his Plastic Ono Band. The promoters turned this down.
* The Doors were considered as a potential performing band, but cancelled at the last moment. Contrary to popular belief this occurrence was not related in some fashion to lead singer Jim Morrison's arrest for indecent exposure while performing earlier that year, the cancellation was most likely due to Morrison's known and vocal distaste for performing in large outdoor venues. There also was a widely spread legend that Morrison, in a fit of paranoia, was fearful that someone would take a shot at him while he was onstage. Drummer John Densmore attended and can be seen on the side of the stage during Joe Cocker's set.
* Led Zeppelin were asked to perform, their manager Peter Grant stating "We were asked to do Woodstock and Atlantic were very keen, and so was our US promoter, Frank Barcelona. I said no because at Woodstock we'd have just been another band on the bill."
* Jethro Tull refused to perform, claiming that it wouldn't be a big deal.
* The Moody Blues for unknown reasons declined to perform. They later regretted not performing. They were however promoted as being a performer on the third day on early posters that stated the site being Wallkill.
* Bob Dylan was in negotiations to play, however he had to pull out as his son was taken ill. He also was unhappy about the number of the hippies piling up outside his house near the originally planned site. He would go on to perform at the Isle of Wight Festival a year later.