RIP Richie Havens 1941-2013

Woodstock Legend Richie Havens dies at home of a heart attack at 72.


Richie was the opening act of the Woodstock Festival in 1969. He wasn't originally slated to go first, but the actual opening band, Sweetwater, was tangled up in traffic so on he went. He was asked to do a longer set because several artists had yet to arrive. He performed and held that crowd for three hours.

"Richie Havens - Freedom at Woodstock 1969 (HD)" (Watch on YouTube)

It's rather apt that he passed on today, Earth Day, as he was devoted to and a champion of many ecological issues.

Failing health forced him to announce his retirement in 2012.