Rock Encyclopedia

.. and favored Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Over Hendrix

From Proclaiming “Far Out” as their Favorite Slang Term to Electing an African American President as Their Biggest Surprise, Boomers Reflect on Then and Now

Eons.com, the online community for Baby Boomers, today announced the results of its Woodstock 40th Anniversary Survey. The survey sampled the opinions of nearly 2,000 respondents age 45 and over, forming a portrait of a generation that started out breaking the rules, and four decades later continues to shape the world. The survey and online group are available at www.eons.com/woodstock40th.

“Our members have been anticipating Woodstock’s landmark anniversary for more than a year. This weekend, eons.com welcomes all who experienced the 1960s to celebrate and share their Woodstock stories and connect with peers around this life-changing event,” says Jeff Taylor, Eons(TM) CEO.

Boomers’ Real Views on Woodstock, Music and the Hippie Life

– Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young was the survey’s surprise winner for favorite live performer at Woodstock (77%). Jimi Hendrix, the iconic Woodstock artist, came in 2nd with 53%. The #2 favorite? Creedence Clearwater Revival (72%).

– Nearly half of all respondents (47%) said the music was the most memorable part about Woodstock. Yet, Woodstock attendees said the sense of peace and togetherness (47%) was more memorable than the music (19%).

– Only 16% of all respondents considered themselves to be hippies in the ’60s, but 60% “wanted to be” or said they were “maybe a little bit.” Of those who attended Woodstock, 47% called themselves hippies versus 14% of non-attendees. Today, only 8% of Boomers consider themselves to be, with another 38% proclaiming “sort of.”

– Bell bottoms were a must-have for both genders (80%). While women raved about their very long hair (59%), men sported sideburns (47%) and their own long hair (38%).

– Boomers declared “Far Out” as their most-loved saying (66%). The distant second? “Groovy” (48%).

They Have Become “The Man” and Loved Their Careers

– Two-thirds of Boomers said they have achieved their career aspirations. In 1969, women’s top goal (32%) was to have a job that could help make a difference, while men (36%) sought a company with good benefits, pensions and security. The beginning of a sea change for women and work was evident as only 22% of women wanted to be a stay-at-home parent. Career disappointment centered on not making enough money, despite liking their jobs. Over 40% said they have or had a really fun and enjoyable career.

– While less than half of this generation (42%) gave much thought in the 1960′s to the corporate world, those that did (22%) thought it was a necessary evil. Today, almost all Boomers think about the corporate world (93%) and despite career success, many still feel it is a necessary evil (36%).

Hell No, We Won’t Go

– Only 35% of respondents participated in an anti-war protest in the ’60s, but Woodstock attendees were twice as likely (66%) to have protested. Interestingly, twice as many men (25%) as women said they supported the government’s position. Although 73% said Woodstock did not influence their attitude toward anti-war protesters, 19% said it made them more tolerant.

– While 42% said they are “much less active today” in anti-war protests, as a generation Boomers are more involved in activism and community support. One-third (33%) are “much more active today” in volunteerism and nearly 40% are “somewhat more active” in grassroots activism, social organizing and political activism.

The ’60s Shaped Their Generation

– Over 45% said, “I am who I am because of the ’60s,” with 75% claiming that growing up in the ’60s made them more open-minded. Over 50% enjoyed those times and would choose to live them over again, but 9% would happily skip that time.

– In 1969, they “never would have imagined” that in 40 years we’d have an African American President (60%). Other surprises? They still enjoy music as much as they did (36%); they enjoy being grandparents (32%); and they as strongly espouse the values of peace, love and community (32%) as they did 40 years ago.

– Overall, 62% said their generation as a whole has not achieved its ideals yet. One commented, “We made more change happen faster than anyone dreamed possible before us. There is still a distance to go, but our impact on the process has been undeniable.”

Premiering on Friday, August 14 at 9pm on VH1 and VH1 Classic and Monday, August 17 at 8pm on History

Documentary Directed By Academy Award Winning Filmmaker Barbara Kopple and Executive Produced By Original Festival Organizer Michael Lang

In the summer of 1969, on a farm about 90 miles north of New York City, more than 500,000 people gathered for a three day music festival that in an instant, defined a generation and changed popular culture forever…Woodstock.

Now, 40 years after that historic moment, History(TM) and VH1 Rock Docs have joined forces for the first time, for a unique television collaboration, one that celebrates and explores the deep history and fascination of Woodstock, as well as the incredible music experience that defined a generation. The definitive two-hour documentary, “Woodstock: Now & Then”, will premiere on Friday, August 14 at 9pm on VH1 and VH1 Classic and on Monday, August 17 at 8pm on History.

Directed and Produced by two-time Academy Award winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple and Executive Produced by Michael Lang, the original festival organizer, the film examines Woodstock from the perspectives of not only the musicians who graced the stage, but the fans who gathered in mass, the concert promoters who risked everything and countless others whose unique experiences help paint a tapestry of Woodstock that hasn’t been seen in recent years.

“Woodstock: Now & Then” explores the frenzied days leading up to and throughout the festival, from how the planners scrambled to find a concert site and the traffic jams that shut down the New York State thruway to the infamously bad “brown acid,” the thunderous rain and mud and, of course, the music. Weaving together first-hand accounts with rare archival images and an iconic soundtrack, the documentary allows those who were there a chance to relive the experience and gives an entirely new generation an opportunity to feel the magic of that time.

The film will also take an important look at Woodstock’s legacy through the eyes of today’s musicians and activists examining why Woodstock and all it symbolizes is still relevant in today’s culture.

For more information please log onto www.history.com/woodstock and for more information on VH1 Rock Docs go to www.vh1.com.

“Woodstock: Now & Then” is part of History’s celebration of the historic events that took place during the summer of 1969. History will premiere new specials that also include “Moonshot” (premiering Monday, July 20, 8pm) and “Sex in 69: The Sexual Revolution in America” (premiering Monday, August 3, 8pm).

“Woodstock: Now & Then” is the newest film in the Emmy Award-winning VH1 Rock Doc franchise. VH1 Rock Docs are feature-length documentaries that tell unique stories of artists and music from a wide range of genres, styles, and musical perspectives.

“Woodstock: Now & Then” is a co-production of History(TM) and VH1, in association with Cabin Creek Films and Woodstock Ventures, Inc. Brad Abramson, Stephen Mintz, Shelly Tatro and Jeff Olde serve as executive producers for VH1 and Julian P. Hobbs is the executive producer for History. For Cabin Creek Films, Barbara Kopple serves as director and producer and Michael Lang as executive producer.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

Source: VH1

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to announce that Gregory S. Harris has joined the Museum’s staff to lead the nonprofit institution’s development office. Harris is responsible for key Museum initiatives, including the $35 million Campaign to Support the Rock Hall. He will also work closely with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum President and CEO Terry Stewart, the Rock Hall’s Board of Trustees, the city of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga County Commissioners and other business and community leaders to plan for the 2009 Induction Ceremony’s return to Cleveland.

“We’ve outlined a long-term vision to ensure that Cleveland continues to be known across the globe as the Rock and Roll Capital of the World,” said Stewart. “I’ve known Greg for a number of years and have been actively recruiting him both for his professional acumen as well as his love and knowledge of the art form we call rock and roll that the Museum celebrates. As such, I’m looking forward to working with Greg to continue to make our vision a reality. He has experience building similar programs and will be a great addition to our team.”

Harris was previously Vice President of Development at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and had been with that organization since 1994. In that time, he initiated programs that both sustained and drove the Museum’s growth. These programs included government relations, corporate sponsorship, major gift/endowment campaign and an annual fund. Prior to his association with baseball, Harris was the co-founder of a retail music store that specialized in independent and rare recordings and has served as the road manager for a national touring band.

“It is an honor to be entrusted with a leadership role at an institution that is dedicated to preserving, presenting and celebrating another great hallmark of American culture — rock and roll,” said Harris. “I am very proud of what our team in Cooperstown has accomplished and I am honored to join the talented staff in Cleveland at this important time. The internationally recognized Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is the home of the artifacts and exhibits that shape and celebrate the music of our lives. I’ve greatly enjoyed my tenure at the Baseball Hall of Fame. It is a wonderful institution. Joining the team in Cleveland allows me to reconnect with my passion for popular music. In addition, I look forward to becoming an active member of the Cleveland community.”

Jeff Idelson, the Baseball Hall of Fame President noted that “Greg has been an integral member of the Baseball Hall of Fame staff for the last 14 years and has been an active participant in the Cooperstown community. After starting in our library in 1994 in the broadcast archive department, Greg served as membership director and then development director, before being promoted to vice president of development in 2005. In that capacity he greatly developed donor support. We’re sorry to see him leave and are confident he’ll contribute greatly to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

Harris is responsible for planning and administering the strategic direction of the Rock Hall’s fundraising programs and activities including the Capital Campaign, the Annual Fund, major gifts, cultivation events, research and grant writing and membership. He also oversees all aspects of donor relations and stewardship.

Greg has a Master’s degree in history and museum studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program, and Bachelor’s degree in American history from Temple University. He is married and has two children.

About the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is the nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world about the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music. It carries out this mission both through its operation of a world-class museum that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form and through its library and archives as well as its educational programs.

The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays, the Museum is open until 9 p.m. Museum admission is $22 for adults, $17 for seniors (65+), $13 for youth (9-12), $18 for adult residents of Greater Cleveland. Children under 8 and Museum members are free. The Museum is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. When you become a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the world of rock and roll becomes yours to explore. Call 216.515.1939 for information on becoming a member. For general inquiries, please call 216.781.ROCK or visit www.rockhall.com.

Source: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

Web site: http://www.rockhall.com/