The phrase "Where were you when" is almost emblematic of the generation that grew up in the 1960's. "Where were you when Kennedy was shot?" "Where were you when Armstrong stepped onto the moon?"

VERBATIM:

The music began Friday afternoon, August 15th, at 5:07 p.m. and continued until mid-morning Monday, August 18th. But when 450-thousand people congregated on that field in Bethel, New York, few could have known the impact the 4-day music festival would have.

The concert featured musicians like Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Who. Jimi Hendrix performed an unforgettable version of the national anthem, and his fuzzy electric rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" became the plugged-in anthem for a generation of rock'n'roll faithful. Richie Havens' improvised version of "Freedom," and Country Joe's "Feel Like I'm Fixing To Die Rag" were highlights of the festival with their timely lyrics.

Today, most residents of Woodstock Nation are more than half a century old, and most of us look back with mixed feelings at the summer of peace and love. It was filled with controversy (the war in Vietnam), a sense of promise (that walk on the moon) and a thrill of hope (Woodstock itself).

But now the bongs have disappeared as coffee-table accessories, the embroidered gauze shirts and tie-dyed tees are in the back of the closet, and the psychedelic posters are fetching high prices on eBay.

But we can still sing along with Crosby, Stills and Nash, even if they are playing at a nearby casino instead of Yasgur's Farm, and we can still look back with fondness at the innocence and promise of that not-so-long ago era.

I'm Larry Burriss.