Woodstock's days of fun and music turns 40

BETHEL, N.Y., Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Woodstock's 40th anniversary, with some of the same bands at the original New York location, has features the original lacked -- food stands -- organizers said.

In 1969, an estimated 400,000 music lovers descended on Max Yasgur's farm in Bethel, N.Y., for three days of peace, love and music amid heavy rains, announcements of bad drugs floating around, overflowing portable toilets and food shortages.

The 4,500 attendees of the 2009 "Heroes of Woodstock" version Friday through Sunday will sit in plush seats in a covered amphitheater with access to public toilets and concession stands hawking hamburgers and hot dogs, ABCNews.com reported Thursday.

Drugs are prohibited at this weekend's show but spokeswoman Amy Jaick allowed that a few concert-goers may "have their own little experience" at the hillside monument built on the original site, ABCNews.com said.

Some of the acts scheduled to perform at the Aug. 14-16 retro concerts -- two simultaneously broadcast festivals from the United States and Germany -- include Richie Havens, Paul Kantner of the Jefferson Airplane (and later Jefferson Starship), Canned Heat, and Big Brother and the Holding Company, all members of the over-60 set.

Barry Levine, who shot still photos used in the 1970 documentary, "Woodstock," told ABCNews.com he has followed many of the Woodstock bands since those three days 40 years ago.

"There are a lot who are dead, but the folks who are still alive are still kicking," he said. "Woodstock still represents something. But there won't be that many of us around for the 50th."