Act #7 Arlo Guthrie Friday, August 15, 1969... 11:55 p.m.

Arlo Guthrie Woodstock Setlist Live

Lang:

"The rain threatened Arlo Guthrie and his Band's performance, but we decided to go for it. By then Arlo, thinking he was off the hook, had dropped some acid. He wasn't up for going on, but we talked him into it. He did a great set, opening with "Coming Into Los Angeles." He carried on a kind of one-sided conversation with the Audience, stopping in the middle of Dylan's "Walking Down the Line" to follow a loose thought. Everyone loved it."

My Take:

Arlo will always be remembered for its unique blend of Folk Music and Storytelling. His set began with the song "Coming into Los Angeles," which is often highlighted as a memorable moment despite being banned from radio play at the time due to its drug references.

His performance style was characterized by his "Talking Blues" approach, was well-received, and he managed to charm the audience with his wit and Musical talent. The mood of the Crowd during the performance was enthusiastic and engaged. Guthrie's set, which included his song "Coming into Los Angeles," resonated well and they were active, but not wild.

His Storytelling Style was met with enthusiasm and amusement by the Audience. His performance included humorous and engaging Monologues between songs, which resonated well with the Crowd. For instance, after performing "Coming into Los Angeles," Guthrie joked about the New York State Thruway being closed, which elicited laughter and applause from the Audience

Guthrie's ability to blend Music with Storytelling is reminiscent of his Father Woody Guthrie. His off-the-cuff Comments and Anecdotes added a personal touch to his set, creating a connection. Despite some Vocal Challenges, because he was quite Stoned (like the Audience), during the performance, his Storytelling and engaging Presence helped maintain the Crowd's interest and enjoyment throughout his Set.

Yes, the Crowd liked all of the Rambling because they were Stoned and very attentive and gave him a 7 Roar at the end.

His Take:

"It was a wonderful and breathtakingly exhilarating... Scary... to play for that many people... I knew, at that time, that I would never, ever again perform before that many people. Unfortunately, I didn't know I was supposed to play that day, so I was doing what everybody else was doing, so I had no business actually performing. So, you know, this was one of those moments you wished you could have done it again. But it is still one of the fonder memories of my entire life. I will never forget it and I wish I had more sense years ago... if I knew I was going to play in one event, I mean, the biggest single event in the history of the music world, I probably would have done it under circumstances where I had some foresight. But, at 18, you don't have a lot of foresight!"

Arlo Guthrie's Musical Bio

Arlo Guthrie is an American Folk Musician and Songwriter, born on July 10, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York. He is the Son of the legendary Folk Singer Woody Guthrie and Marjorie Mazia Guthrie, a Professional Dancer. Arlo grew up surrounded by prominent Folk Musicians such as Pete Seeger and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, which significantly influenced his Musical Career.

Guthrie is best known for his song "Alice's Restaurant Massacree," an 18-minute talking Blues Song that humorously recounts his arrest for littering and its consequences during the Vietnam War Draft. The Song became an Anthem of the Counterculture Movement and was adapted into a film Alices Restaurant in which Guthrie starred. His Music often reflects Themes of Social Justice and Storytelling, drawing parallels to his Father's work.

In addition to Alice, Guthrie's cover of Steve Goodman's "The City of New Orleans" became another hit. Throughout his career, he has been involved in various Charitable Activities, including founding the Guthrie Center, which promotes Interfaith Cooperation and Community Service.