Woodstock 1969 is one of those events that’s engraved into the cultural consciousness, not just because of how big it was in terms of attendance, but for what it represented. It was held during a turbulent time in America, and it became a symbol of peace and unity amidst the chaos of the Vietnam War.
The festival brought together half a million people who shared a common vision of love and music, and it showcased some of the era’s greatest artists, like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, making it a landmark moment in music history.
But, have you ever wondered what the artists of Woodstock 1969 earned for their performances? The financial side of this epic festival is surprisingly fascinating because while some of the biggest names in music graced the stage, the compensation they received might shock you, especially when you compare it to modern artists, and how much they earn nowadays.
The Paychecks of Woodstock Artists in 1969
Jimi Hendrix – $18,000
Unsurprisingly, Jimi Hendrix was the highest-paid artist at Woodstock. According to the published list (available at the bottom of this article), he was paid $18,000, which would translate to roughly $150,000 accounting for inflation.
Back in 1969, Jimi Hendrix was absolutely huge, and everyone knew he was going to be remembered as one of the greatest rock musicians ever – even at that point. He had already blown people’s minds with “Are You Experienced” and “Electric Ladyland”, showing off his insane guitar skills and creating a sound that was completely unique.
So, when Woodstock came around, it made perfect sense to invite Hendrix because he was the face of the counterculture movement. Woodstock was shaping up to be this massive, game-changing festival, and having Hendrix as the headliner was a no-brainer.
He was everything that the festival stood for: peace, love, and pushing boundaries. Even though his set was scheduled for Monday morning, when most people had already left, he still gave it his all, showing just how committed he was to his music.
Blood, Sweat & Tears – $15,000
In the 60s, Blood, Sweat & Tears was among the coolest bands around. They had this interesting mix of rock, jazz, and blues that made them stand out from everyone else. Their second album, “Blood, Sweat & Tears” (1968) was a massive hit, with tracks like “Spinning Wheel” and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” being played all over the radio. So it’s no wonder they were the second-highest-paid band at Woodstock, pulling in $15,000, which is about $130,000 today.
But even though they were huge in 1969, Blood, Sweat & Tears didn’t stay as famous as some of the other Woodstock bands. As rock evolved, their jazzy style didn’t really keep up, and they didn’t have that edge that made bands like Jimi Hendrix Experience and The Who so memorable and timeless. So while those artists still to this day remain relevant, Blood, Sweat & Tears kind of faded into the background.
Joan Baez – $10,000
Joan Baez, a 60s icon, is third on the list with $10,000, or $85,000 in today’s dollar value. When Woodstock came around, Joan was a huge deal in the music scene – and beyond. Her voice was very unique, and her songs hit home with fans. She was also deeply involved in social issues, like civil rights and anti-war protests.
So, Joan Baez’s appearance at Woodstock was absolutely fitting. With her strong connection to the folk music scene and her activism, she added a cool, more mellow vibe to the festival. She was the final performer of the first day of Woodstock – although her set started a few hours past midnight, which would essentially mean it was the second day.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – $10,000
Creedence Clearwater Revival was actually the first act to sign a contract for August’s Woodstock festival – way back in April 1969, for $10,000 (equivalent to $85,000 today). Back in those days, they were killing it in the rock scene with hits like “Bad Moon Rising”, “Suzie Q”, and “Proud Mary”. Also, they had just released a third album basically a week before Woodstock, which contained one of their biggest hits, “Blue Moon Rising”.
The band played on the night of August 16, 1969, which was the second day of the festival. However, their performance did not appear in the original Woodstock film or soundtrack.
There are tons of theories out there about what went wrong, and most of them point to how badly Woodstock was organized. Apparently, CCR was supposed to be the big headliner that night, but thanks to some major scheduling screw-ups and a super long set by the Grateful Dead, they ended up playing way past midnight to a crowd that was way too tired at that point. John Fogerty thought the whole thing was a disaster and didn’t want their performance in the movie because he felt it made the band look and sound bad.
But, their performance was eventually released to the public – exactly 50 years later, in 2019, as an album titled simply – “Live at Woodstock“.
The Band – $7,500
In 1969, The Band was really starting to make waves with their Americana-influenced sound. Their debut album, “Music from Big Pink”, was getting tons of praise for its fresh sound and especially for its great storytelling.
Their performance at Woodstock was definitely memorable, even if it didn’t steal the spotlight like some of the other legendary acts. They played on the first night and absolutely nailed it. Altogether, the five members were paid $7,500, or $64,000 in today’s value.
Janis Joplin – $7,500
Janis Joplin was an absolute icon back in the 60s. She was already big and well-known with Big Brother and the Holding Company, and at the time of Woodstock, she was making waves with her solo stuff. Her raw emotion and electrifying performances made her one of the most exciting performers of those days, so it’s no surprise she was invited to play at the festival.
Janis hit the Woodstock stage on August 17th, the second day of the festival, right after Creedence Clearwater Revival finished their set – which was around 2 am. Despite the crazy weather and the overall chaos of the festival, she brought her A-game, showing off her incredible voice and energy, and was paid $7,500 for her performance.
Jefferson Airplane – $7,500.
With Grace Slick’s powerhouse vocals and the band’s unique sound, Jefferson Airplane were a huge deal in 1969. They were basically leading the charge in the psychedelic rock, and everyone was in for the ride.
At Woodstock, their performance was a key moment in the festival. They took the stage on the morning of August 17th, right after a night of rain and mud. Despite the rough conditions, they rocked it with hits like “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit”, and they were paid $7,500 for their set.
Their Woodstock set was super impactful because it showed just how amazing they were, even in tough circumstances. They kept the festival’s energy high and proved why they were one of the coolest and most influential bands of the 60s.
Sly and the Family Stone – $7,500
Sly and the Family Stone got invited to Woodstock because their unique style was perfect for the festival’s eclectic lineup. The organizers wanted to showcase different types of music, and Sly and the Family Stone obviously fit right in.
The band was popular in 1969 due to their groundbreaking blend of rock, soul, and funk, creating a sound that was both innovative and socially relevant. Also, their diverse lineup and hits like “Everyday People” promoted racial unity and equality, resonating with the era’s ideals.
They played on the morning of August 17th, following Janis Joplin, and preceding The Who. They were paid $7,500 for their performance.
Canned Heat – $6,500
Canned Heat was a blues-rock band who made a name for themselves with their boogie-woogie style and hits like “On the Road Again” and “Going Up the Country.” Even though they weren’t as famous as Jimi Hendrix or The Who, they had a solid reputation in the blues-rock scene and were definitely respected for their unique sound.
They were invited to Woodstock to add a bluesy twist to the festival’s diverse lineup and were paid $6,500 for their performance, which was actually more than what The Who, Grateful Dead and Santana received. This payment showed how important they were to the lineup, even if they weren’t the top-billed acts.
The Who – $6,250
In 1969, The Who were literally rocking the music world. They were huge at the time, with hits like “My Generation” and “Pinball Wizard” making them one of the top rock bands around. Also, their wild live shows (which usually ended with Pete Townshend destroying his guitar) and groundbreaking music made them a huge draw for any festival.
The festival organizers obviously had no doubts in wanting to feature them – because their live shows were legendary, and they were expected to bring some serious energy to the event. Surprisingly, they were paid $6,250 for their set, which was not that much if you compare it to some other artists.
But nonetheless, their performance at Woodstock on August 17 was simply put – unforgettable. Their set was packed with their signature energy and intensity, making it one of the standout moments of the festival and proving why they were rock legends.
Beyond the Top 10 – The Most Underpaid Artists at Woodstock
Looking past the top 10, there are some surprising details. For example, it’s wild to think that Santana was only paid $750 at Woodstock, especially considering there were six members in the band. That breaks down to just $125 per person, which is about $1,000 in today’s money.
However, Santana was relatively new to the scene in 1969. Their debut album had just come out earlier that year, and they were beginning to get noticed for their unique blend of Latin rhythms and rock.
So, performing at Woodstock as an up-and-coming band was a huge opportunity. Many bands would have jumped at the chance even without the money because the exposure was priceless. If you were savvy back then, getting your band to play there was a no-brainer for the promotion alone.
Joe Cocker also didn’t make much compared to others. When he performed at Woodstock, he was just starting to break into the mainstream. His big hit, a cover of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends,” came out in 1968, and while he was gaining a reputation for his soulful performances, he wasn’t a household name yet.
Woodstock vs. Today’s Festivals – How Artist Payments Have Skyrocketed
If we compare this to today, FarOutMagazine notes that artists now earn anywhere from hundreds of thousands to millions. For instance, Lady Gaga was reportedly paid $4 million, and Radiohead earned $3 million. But on occasion, artists get paid way less – like Paul McCartney and Coldplay have sometimes only been paid around $250,000.
These figures can of course fluctuate based on the specific event, the length of the performance, and other contractual details, but they give a general idea of the high earnings top-tier artists can achieve at music festivals nowadays.
But even so, this is way more than what anyone on Woodstock earned. Remember that Hendrix, who was headlining, was paid $150,000 (or $18,000 back then).
And just to showcase this glaring difference further – if we remove the extremes at the top and the bottom (top and bottom four), and average the rest – if you were an artist playing at Woodstock in 1969, you would earn $4,475, which is around $40,000 today.
This is of course not too bad, and you have to take into consideration that Woodstock was one of the first huge music festivals ever held. Nowadays you have your Reading Festival, Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza… – and all these festivals evolved significantly in terms of scale and technology.
Also, Woodstock was a non-profit event with a focus on counterculture and community. Modern festivals often have significant commercial aspects, including sponsorships, high-profile brand partnerships, and premium ticket options. This allows them to pay artists much more than what Woodstock organizers could.
But one could argue that performing at Woodstock in 1969 – where you might have been paid just enough to cover the gas for the trip home – holds far more significance than playing at a random event in 2024, even if you were paid millions…
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