Woodstock singer Havens, 72, dies of heart attack

[Zorro]

Source: AP

Richie Havens, who sang and strummed for a sea of people at Woodstock, has died of a heart attack Monday, his family said in a statement. He was 72.

Havens, a folk singer and guitarist, was the first performer at the three-day 1969 Woodstock Festival. He returned to the site during the 40th anniversary in 2009.

"Everything in my life, and so many others, is attached to that train," he said in a 2009 interview with The Associated Press.

Havens was born in Brooklyn. He was known for his crafty guitar work and cover songs, including his well-received impersonation of Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/woodstock-singer-havens-72-dies-heart-attack-205952329.html

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[WheelWalker]

1. And the wheel turns...

[The Wielding Truth]

21. Funny, I was thinking of Buffy St Marie and her friendship with Havens.Little wheel spin and spin...

Some spirits just move right together.I bet she will miss him very much. His spirit will be missed.

[Warpy]

2. Now that makes me sad

I was a fan before Woodstock happened. Unfortunately, my favorite album of his was stolen right after Woodstock, by one of the sleazebags my roommates brought in, undoubtedly.

He was a wonderful artist.

[shenmue]

3. Rest in peace.

[Archae]

4. I feel old...

Seems all the performers from my day are dropping like flies.

[Faygo Kid]

5. Very sad news indeed

He was just great, and more than just at Woodstock (although he knocked us all out with "Freedom&quot .

[azurnoir]

6. his classic rip Mr Havens

[In_The_Wind]

37. Beautiful! Rest in peace, Richie Havens.

[azurnoir]

39. thanks it's a newer one

I couldn't find the Woodstock video

[Danmel]

7. This just makes me so sad

RIP Richie.

[olddad56]

8. God Bless Richie Havens. At last FREEDOM

Not only was he the first performer at Woodstock, but the next groups were stuck in traffic and he played for a long, long time.

[greatauntoftriplets]

9. I will always remember him singing "The Great Mandala".

A great musician.

[DrDan]

10. RIP - here is one of my favorites - Fire and Rain

[jaysunb]

14. Bravo !!!

RIP Richie.

[jdadd]

11. Oh Noooooo

I'll put on "Here comes the Sun" Woodstock version.....Peace Richie

[upaloopa]

12. I'm turning 67 next month and I remember the 60's well

because I was in the war and remember Woodstock and all the movements, riots, victories and loses. I would not have wanted to grow up in a different time. We had a belief that we could make a better world together. It doesn't look much like we succeeded but it sure was a trip trying.
I'm afraid today there are mightier enemies aligned against us. But the fight goes on.

"Sometimes I feel like a motherless child a long way from my home"

[olddad56]

16. you know what t say about the 60's. If you can remember them, you weren't there.

Kidding, I am almost 65 and I feel the same way. What an exciting time. I missed a lot because I was in the Navy from 67 -71, and two years of that was spent overseas. Made up for lost time in the early 70s. God Bless the GI bill and cheap college tuition. Wouldn't trade those navy and college days for anything.

[KT2000]

13. Peace to a peacemaker

This is sad news -and another reminder of how luck some of us oldsters were to be a part of some wonderful music that had such meaning.
RIP Mr. Havens

[tridim]

15. Awesome dude. He made his Woodstock performance up on the fly!

[Mr.Bill]

18. Yes, he did.

I heard him talk about that in an interview. He said little did he know that he was destined to play it every time he performed for the rest of his life. He said there would be a riot if he didn't play it. He will be missed.

[olddad56]

19. turning point in his career, as Woodstock was for so many. His set was over 3 hours...

he had to wing it for once he ran out of material and that was how he created FREEDOM. Improvisation at it's finest. The song he is most remember for was born at Woodstock when the following acts were stuck in traffic. What a beautiful moment in time.

[frazzled]

17. His beautiful voice was the very sound and spirit of Woodstock to me

That sound and spirit being the naive but forceful idealism of our generation. His unique style and soulful grace will live on.

[Ezlivin]

20. "Let the sun-rain fall and let the dewy clouds enfold you"

RIP Mr. Havens.

And close your eyes, child, and look at what I'll show you;
Let your mind go reeling out and let the breezes blow you,
And maybe when we meet then suddenly I will know you.
If all the things you see ain't
quite what they seem,
Then don't mind me 'cos I ain't nothin' but a dream.
And you can follow; And you can follow; follow...

From "Follow."

[radiclib]

32. You just made me lose it.

RIP Sweet Richie

[scarletwoman]

22. Ah, man, what a voice he was! So sad to hear this.

The sound of his voice has echoed through all my years. I was 19 when Woodstock happened.

Good journey to you, Richie!


sw

[G_j]

23. Sweetest, smartest, coolest..wisest man

you could ever meet, and then there is his music! Love you Richie!

[Gurney Hack]

24. I joined so I could post this...

...Freedom...Freedom...Freedom...freedom...

RIP Richie. Peace.

[hrmjustin]

25. Welcome to DU Gurney Hack And yes I hope he rests in peace.

[Gurney Hack]

29. Thank you very much...

..I've lurked a long time but this made me come on to post.

Richie was better than all right.......

[hrmjustin]

30. We are glad you came aboard!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

26. Rest in Peace, Richie Havens. thank you. Freedom.

[JitterbugPerfume]

27. I am so sad.....

he was a wonderful and beautiful soul

[Octafish]

28. Freedom.

His voice -- that song -- his meaning -- is part of my being.

Hasta siempre, Hermano.

[Beacool]

31. I'm sorry to hear that.

I saw Richie Havens perform in one of my town's Arts & Crafts festivals a few years ago. He was great.

My condolences to his family.

Rest in peace.

[xxqqqzme]

33. Oh no, no, no

This really hurts. I just loved his voice.

[madrchsod]

34. that sucks...

he left the world just a little bit better.

[shanti]

35. rip, mr. havens

your voice will not be forgotten. safe journey.

[Mean Gene]

36. RIP, Will be missed. nt

[lonestarnot]

38. Damn it. I loved him.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

40. The Great Mandala.

With PP&M. Powerful.

[leftyladyfrommo]

41. Ah. He was just the best. n/t