RIP, Richie Havens

[Ocala Mike]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/04/22/arts/ap-us-obit-richie-havens.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimes&_r=0

I didn't get to Woodstock (already too old, and too busy being "responsible" and raising a family by that time), but I did see him in concert with Arlo Guthrie at the Westbury Muxic Fair back in the 80's. He had a very distinctive guitar style, for sure. RIP.

:( :( :( :(

[horses4courses]

A great musical talent, who also did great work for causes that he loved.
He will be missed.

[Tom]

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[Rookies]

Boy, it's been a sad month. Seems like a lot of talented people hit the end of the road all at once. :(

Really liked Havens' work and with that unusual voice.

Always loved this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-jJ4nIclpc:ThmbUp:

[banacek]

Amazing talent, will be sorely missed.

An interesting connection to the horse races is that his 1999 autobiography "They Can't Hide Us Anymore" was co-authored by Steve Davidowitz.

[johnhannibalsmith]

Adios. A good one indeed.

[santanajimi]

I saw Richie a few times back in rthe day...Always a great show....will be missed .....

[Mike at A+]

Read an article in today's paper noting that his song "Freedom" at Woodstock was totally off the cuff.

[ArlJim78]

Read an article in today's paper noting that his song "Freedom" at Woodstock was totally off the cuff.
to me that song was like the anthem and spirit of woodstock. as BigMack would say, the cat had a cool sound.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rynxqdNMry4

[JustRalph]

I read he did a straight 3 hours when he opened Wodstock. Got paid 6k.

A straight 3 hour set is incredible. Most musicians woud be challenged ......

[PaceAdvantage]

I swear he was at one of the NYRA pre-Belmont Stakes parties one year...think he might have even been performing...this was during the Kenny Noe era I believe..I was there...and pretty sure I remember him being there...

Can anyone confirm my fleeting memory?

[Rookies]

I read he did a straight 3 hours when he opened Wodstock. Got paid 6k.

A straight 3 hour set is incredible. Most musicians woud be challenged ......

Indeed. Saw The Boss do one of his legendary 3.75 hour superhuman efforts, last year, but that is very rare.

I could certainly agree with Jim about his 'Freedom' remark. The only other songs from the playlist that would meet that definition for me would be:
'Soul Sacrifice' and 'I'm Going Home', along with Cocker's version of ' A Little Help from my Friends'.

I had an invite to Woodstock from an older High School acquaintance, who saw that I'd gone over to the counter culture light side. :)
To my everlasting regret, I passed.

The next year, I refused to make the same mistake, going here to see virtually the same cast: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawberry_Fields_Festival

The Youngbloods 'Get Together' was considered the soul of Strawberry Fields. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4fWN6VvgKQ



DAY ONE - August 15, 1969
1. Swami Satchidananda

2. Richie Havens

The Minstrel from Gault
From the Prison
Get Together
From the Prison (Reprise)
I'm a Stranger Here
High Flying Bird
I Can't Make It Anymore
With a Little Help from My Friends
Handsome Johnny
Strawberry Fields Forever / Hey Jude
Freedom (Motherless Child)

[pandy]

I saw him at Nassau Community College, very entertaining, spirited.

[nijinski]

Haven's hands were huge , so he designed a style of playing with the
use of his thumb to hold the strings down after adjusting the tuning .
That and his strum were his grand signature . Good listening and wild to
watch .
RIP !

[offtrack]

Woodstock documentary mentions the long set RH played, he was told to fill time until the cash was found for the next group to play. Hence the Freedom classic ramble.

[johnhannibalsmith]

Meant to hunt for a version of this way back when this thread appeared because I always liked his version the most of the many, many that have covered it for some reason. I guess because he really did it his own way a la Baez and Cash, but just better. Anyway...

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