Synopsis
"Woodstock '69: Three Days of Peace, Music, and Medical Care" by Myron Gittell, with contributions from Jack Kelly, offers a unique perspective on the iconic 1969 Woodstock Music Festival by focusing on the often-overlooked medical drama that unfolded amidst the chaos of this historic event. Published in 2009 to coincide with the festival’s 40th anniversary, the book delves into the frantic, sometimes comical, and always challenging efforts to provide healthcare to approximately 400,000 attendees, far exceeding the organizers’ initial expectation of 50,000. Gittell, who later became a registered nurse and emergency medical technician, was a local resident recruited to sell Sno-Cones at the festival, giving him a firsthand glimpse into the event’s logistical and medical challenges. Through extensive research, including interviews with medical staff, festival organizers, and attendees, as well as archival materials like the official medical report by Dr. William Abruzzi, Gittell constructs a vivid narrative that highlights the extraordinary cooperation among diverse groups to avert a public health disaster.
The book paints a detailed picture of the medical response, which was cobbled together under immense pressure as the festival’s scale became apparent through pre-event helicopter surveillance. Local authorities, healthcare providers, townspeople, U.S. Army personnel, and an eclectic group from New Mexico called the Hog Farmers worked together to manage the overwhelming crowd. The Hog Farmers, led by Wavy Gravy (then known as Hugh Romney), played a pivotal role, particularly in handling drug overdoses with humane “talk-therapy” techniques that proved remarkably effective. Gittell documents approximately 3,000 clinic visits, with over half attributed to foot injuries caused by barefoot attendees navigating muddy terrain littered with stones, glass, and pop-tops. The narrative also covers the festival’s darker moments, including the tragic deaths of two attendees—one from a possible drug overdose complicated by hyperthermia and heart muscle inflammation potentially linked to Thorazine administration, and another not detailed in the synopsis but referenced in reviews. Additionally, Gittell explores the mysterious “Woodstock Baby,” with accounts of at least two births, one in a traffic jam and another airlifted to a hospital, though only one is confirmed by the Museum at Bethel Woods.
Beyond the medical logistics, the book captures the sociological complexities of Woodstock, emphasizing the tranquility and communal spirit that prevailed despite dire conditions, such as limited drinking water and sanitation challenges. Gittell includes anecdotes like the cult status of Tom Taggart, the “Port-O-San Man,” whose cheerful demeanor while managing the festival’s sanitation crisis became a symbol of the event’s resilience. The narrative also reflects on the ironic presence of Vietnam-era Huey helicopters, used to transport supplies, performers, and patients, juxtaposed against the festival’s peace-and-love ethos. Gittell’s accessible writing style, enriched by countless interviews and artifacts, makes the book an engaging read, offering fresh insights into an event often romanticized for its music and cultural significance. It underscores the festival’s success as a testament to the era’s values of cooperation and compassion, with contributions from an eclectic cast, including “hip” doctors, Army pilots, and vacationing nuns, ensuring Woodstock remained a celebration rather than a catastrophe.