The Woodstock Experience: The 40th Anniversary in Rolling Stone

Forty years ago this weekend a farm in upstate New York was transformed into the backdrop for one of the most significant concerts in rock history. Rolling Stone was on the scene then and we're back now with a look at the music and mud that made August 15-17, 1969 a magical cultural moment.

Visit our Essential Woodstock Coverage for Greil Marcus' original Woodstock report, photos of famous sets by Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, and first-hand accounts from the Jefferson Airplane, Carlos Santana and more rockers who took the stage in Bethel, New York. Plus promoter Michael Lang reveals the history and passion behind the fest and David Fricke examines a new set of discs that capture the fest on record.

As a special bonus, we have even brought Twitter to the original Woodstock: relive the fest in tweets @YasgursFarm.

• Rolling Stone's Essential Woodstock Coverage

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Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

More Song Stories entries »

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