The Financial Reality of Woodstock Performers

The legendary Woodstock festival of 1969 remains a pivotal moment in music history, yet the financial reality for many of the performers was quite different from the romanticized memories of the event. This article explores the often overlooked financial details, highlighting the modest payments received by many artists and how some viewed this exposure as invaluable.

Notable Performers and Their Payments

The Woodstock festival, originally planned as a profit-making opportunity, faced unexpected financial difficulties. Against this backdrop, well-known and influential artists received varying amounts. Here is a breakdown of how much certain acts were paid:

Jimi Hendrix: Reported to have received around $18,000, making him one of the highest-paid performers at the festival. Janis Joplin: Earned approximately $7,500. The Who: Received about $12,000. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (CSNY): Paid around $3,000. Sly and the Family Stone: Paid $7,000. Canned Heat: Coming in second with $6,500. The Grateful Dead: Charged just $2,500. Santana: Earned only $750 for their performance.

Variety of Fees

Each act commanded different fees, depending on the leverage their managers could negotiate. Even the big names like Jimi Hendrix, Blood, Sweat, and Tears, and Creedence Clearwater Revival received substantial payments: $18,000, $15,000, and $10,000 respectively. Despite these fees, the financial realities of the performers are often less glamorous:

Jefferson Airplane, The Band, and Janis Joplin: Each received $7,500. Richie Havens, Sly and the Family Stone, Canned Heat, The Who: Received between $6,000 and $7,000 each. Arlo Guthrie, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young: Earned $5,000 each. The Grateful Dead: Paid $2,500. Santana: Received only $750.

Struggles Amidst Recognition

While some of the performers saw their careers transform thanks to Woodstock, for many, the financial gains were minimal. For instance, The Grateful Dead commanded the lowest fee, reflecting the band's relative obscurity at the time. Similarly, Santana received only $750, indicating that they were not yet the rock stars they would become.

Lower End of the Payscale

Here is a detailed breakdown of the lower end of the payscale at Woodstock in 1969:

Ravi Shankar: $4,500 Nine Tenors After: $3,250 Country Joe and the Fish: $2,500 Incredible String Band: $2,250 Mountain: $2,000 Tim Hardin: $2,000 Joe Cocker: $1,375 Sweetwater: $1,250 John Sebastian: $1,000 Melanie: $750 Santana: $750 Sha Na Na: $700 Keef Hartley: $500 Quill: $375

Despite the modest payments, the exposure and cultural impact of performing at Woodstock were invaluable. Many performers later recalled that the exposure from the festival overshadowed the financial gains. This event remains a part of music history, not just for those who achieved fame but for all who participated, whether recognized or not.