The legendary Carlos Santana is revving up for a big year, including the 20th anniversary of his rock band’s Supernatural LP, an accompanying Supernatural Now tour and — drum roll please — an epic return to Woodstock for the 50th anniversary.
As we now know, there are two major 50th anniversary celebrations going down to commemorate Woodstock this year. One known as Bethel Woods Music and Culture Festival, on the legendary grounds of the music festival that is in no way officiated with the actual Woodstock Ventures, LLC. And the other, put on by the real company, expected to take place in nearby Watkins Glen, New York, which will be called Woodstock.
In a reveal to Rolling Stone, Santana says he has chosen to play the festival on the original grounds at Bethel Woods. While he wanted to work with the original Woodstock promoter, Michael Lang, he explains why he went with Live Nation for the 50th anniversary tribute.
“They have an amphitheater there. I’m going to invite whoever is still here, whether it’s Joan Baez or members from Sly Stone, and I’m going to play Santana music. Santana’s going to be the house band, but I want to be able to honor those who are still here and maybe invite rappers like Common or Kendrick Lamar. Santana’s very interested, like Miles Davis, into connecting with people from 7 years old to under 33. I don’t want to be just like a jukebox in the twilight zone, stuck in the Sixties.”
There you have it. Santana is the first official headliner of the celebration in Bethel. It’s only fitting considering the band played the first-ever Woodstock event back in 1969.
Now, we’re just waiting on a full lineup to roll out. Save the date: August 16 – 18, 2019.
Source: New York Upstate
