Arlo Guthrie
at Woodstock 1969
Son of folk legend Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie performed at Woodstock following the film adaptation of his epic "Alice's Restaurant."
Arlo Guthrie — Woodstock 1969
Arlo Guthrie's performance at Woodstock opened with "Coming into Los Angeles" and concluded with psychedelic material that had the crowd entranced well into the early morning hours.
Born July 10, 1947, the son of folk legend Woody Guthrie, Arlo is best known for his extended narrative piece "Alice's Restaurant Massacree," which satirizes opposition to the Vietnam War. The piece spans 18 minutes and 34 seconds — a duration he notes matches the infamous gaps in Nixon's Watergate recordings.
Before his Woodstock appearance, Guthrie starred in a film adaptation of "Alice's Restaurant." Despite this work, radio stations were reluctant to embrace his material due to its length. "Coming into Los Angeles," performed at Woodstock, faced broadcast restrictions due to its drug-themed lyrics.
Following Woodstock, Guthrie developed recognition as a distinguished folk vocalist, known for employing the "talking blues" approach — a technique adopted by musicians including Dylan and Johnny Cash. His 1976 album "Amigo" achieved Rolling Stone's top rating.
Similar to his father, Guthrie integrates narrative elements into his compositions and stands among significant figures in folk music history. He established the Guthrie Center in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, providing an interfaith space for community gathering and spiritual practice.