Where Are They Now?

Prior to Woodstock, her music strongly reflected her opposition to the Viet Nam war and her passion for the protection of human rights. Since Woodstock, she has expanded her activism to include the environment, the death penalty, gay and lesbian rights, poverty, and the Iraq war. Her most recent album, Day After Tomorrow was released in 2008, and she continues to maintain a heavy tour schedule in 2009.

Guitarist Robbie Robertson rarely performs in public (the last time was at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Festival in 2007) but has done considerable work in films, as a producer, performer, or composer. Drummer Levon Helm won a Grammy for his 2007 album, Dirt Farmer and tours with his own band. He is one of the Heroes of Woodstock, performers at the original festival who are touring together in the summer of 2009. Keyboardist Garth Hudson performs with his band, The Best! and is a busy session player. Bassist/vocalist Rick Danko died in 1999 after years of painkillers and alcohol due to chronic pain from a 1968 car crash. Keyboardist Richard Manuel committed suicide in 1986 after a long struggle with substance abuse.

Lead singer Steve Katz is the only current member of the band who was in the lineup that performed at Woodstock. David Clayton-Thomas, lead singer in 1969, left the band in 1972, but returned for two more stints, the longest running from 1984-2004. In 2009, he continues to tour as a solo act. Drummer Bobby Colomby currently owns a talent management company in Los Angeles. Bassist Jim Fielder has had a successful career as a session musician and is now a member of Neil Sedaka's backing band. Multi-instrumentalist Dick Halligan composes and performs jazz and chamber music. Saxophonist Fred Lipsius teaches at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Trumpeter Lew Soloff plays with the Manhattan Jazz Quintet.

It was just a few months after Woodstock that the Butterfield Blues Band disbanded. Founder Paul Butterfield did solo and session work until his death in 1987 at the age of 44 of a heart attack attributed to years of drug and alcohol abuse. Saxophonist David Sanborn has had a highly successful career as a performer and composer. He released a new studio album, Here And Gone, in 2008 and has tour appearances booked through early 2010. Guitarist Buzz Feiten joined The Rascals, and is now a solo and session player.

Band co-founders Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson and Bob "The Bear" Hite died, in 1970 and 1981, respectively. Drummer "Fito" de la Parra still performs with the band regularly. Guitarist Harvey "The Snake" Mandel and bassist Larry "The Mole" Taylor left in 1970 to join John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. They briefly reunited with de la Parra for several shows in 2007. Mandel is again touring with Canned Heat in 2009. Taylor is a member of the blues/jazz/swing band, Hollywood Blue Flames and he also plays in Tom Waits' tour band.

Cocker has continued to tour and record virtually non-stop since Woodstock. His 20th studio album, Hymn For My Soul was released in 2007, with another one planned for 2010. His 2009 tour schedule extends through the Telluride festival in September.

Lead vocalist "Country Joe" McDonald embarked on a solo career after his group disbanded in 1971. He and other original Woodstock performers are touring in the summer of 2009 as Heroes of Woodstock. Guitarist Barry "The Fish" Melton has been a practicing attorney since the late '80s, currently working as a public defender in California. He also tours with his own band, The Dinosaurs.

After CCR broke up in 1972, brothers John (lead vocalist-guitarist-songwriter) and Tom (guitarist) Fogerty each pursued solo careers. Tom died of AIDS in 1990. John is still actively recording and touring. He released a high successful studio album, Revival in 2007, and a new release, Return Of The Blue Ridge Rangers is expected in 2009. Bassist Stu Cook and drummer Cosmo Clifford formed Creedence Clearwater Revisited in 1995. They are still active with the group, performing the old CCR catalog.

Neil Young had just joined up with Graham Nash, Stephen Stills and David Crosby when they performed at Woodstock -- their first public performance. Both configurations (CSN and CSNY) continue to perform together today. In addition, Young continues a long and successful solo career.

Two members of the Woodstock lineup have died: keyboardist Ron "Pigpen" McKernan in 1973 and guitarist/vocalist Jerry Garcia, whose death in 1995 marked the end of the band's three decade run. Bob Weir (guitar), Phil Lesh (bass), Bill Kreutzmann (drums), Mickey Hart (drums) and Tom Constanten (keyboards) have each pursued solo careers, and have performed together in various combinations off and on since 1998. Weir, Lesh, Kreutzmann and Hart are touring in 2009 as The Dead. Constanten is touring with other original Woodstock performers as Heroes of Woodstock.