The man whose career took off after providing the opening act at Woodstock, has died. Richie Havens, aged 72, had a heart attack at his home today, but he'll be remembered for this amazing moment of American musical history:
Havens was the first on at Woodstock and, after he ran out of songs (and stalling for the slacker musicians who couldn't get it together enough to be on on time to WOODSTOCK) performed an impromptu version of the old spiritual, "Motherless Child," the song that became "Freedom." It was most recently featured in Django Unchained.
After Woodstock, Havens went on to have a fairly successful musical career and was still performing regularly as recently as two years ago. He will be missed.
