Richie Havens tribute set at Woodstock 1969 site

BETHEL, New York (AP) ― The ashes of Richie Havens will be scattered across the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival on the anniversary of the final day of the concert he opened with a nearly three-hour performance.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the music venue built on the Woodstock site in New York state, announced Tuesday that a musical tribute to the folk singer and guitarist will be held Aug. 18. That’s the 44th anniversary of the final day of the landmark three-day concert that drew more than 400,000 people.

Havens, who died in April of a heart attack at age 72, was Woodstock’s first performer after massive traffic jams kept the scheduled opening acts from showing up on time. His performance of “Freedom” became a signature moment of the concert.