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

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

More Song Stories entries »

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