Performers Before Woodstock
The following is a chronological list of all the Woodstock Music and Art Fair’s performers first album release. Oh so young!
Joan Baez
November 1960: Joan Baez (age 19) released her first album, Joan Baez
Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar released his 4th album, Improvisations in 1962. He released his first at age 17 in 1937.
John Sebastian
August 1965: The Lovin’ Spoonful (future Woodstock performer John Sebastian age 19) released their first single, “Do You Believe in Magic”
Paul Butterfield Band
October, 1965: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band album released. (Paul Butterfield age 23).
The Who
December 3, 1965: The Who [Pete Townsend, 20; Keith Moon, 19; Roger Daltrey, 21; and John Entwistle, 21] released My Generation album.
Incredible String Band
June, 1966: Incredible String Band (Robin Williamson, age 22 , and Mike Heron, age 22 ) released first album, The Incredible String Band.
Tim Hardin
July, 1966: Tim Hardin (age 25) released first album, Tim Hardin 1.
Jefferson Airplane
August 15, 1966: Jefferson Airplane released their debut album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off. The personnel differs from the later “classic” lineup and the music is more folk-rock than the harder psychedelic sound for which the band later became famous. Signe Toly Anderson was the female vocalist and Skip Spence played drums. Both left the group shortly after the album’s release and were replaced by Grace Slick and Spencer Dryden, respectively.( Jorma Kaukonen (age 25), Paul Kantner (age 25), Jack Casady (age 22), Marty Balin (age 24), Grace Slick (age 26), Spencer Dryden (age 28).
Quill
Quill formed in Boston in 1967 and performed mainly throughout the mid-east. They will release their only album in 1970.
Grateful Dead
March 17, 1967 future Woodstock performer Grateful Dead released their first album, The Grateful Dead.
Country Joe and the Fish
April 1967: Country Joe (age 25 ) and the Fish released first album, Electric Music for the Mind and Body.
Jimi Hendrix
May 12, 1967: Jimi Hendrix Experience album, Are You Experienced, released in the UK. Jimi Hendrix age 24.
Canned Heat
July, 1967: Canned Heat released first album, Canned Heat. (Bob “The Bear” Hite, age 24; Alan Wilson, age 24)
Janis Joplin
August 1967 future Woodstock performer Big Brother and the Holding Company released first album. Janis Joplin age 23.
Richie Havens
August 16, 1967: Richie Havens (age 26) released Mixed Bag.
Arlo Guthrie
September 1967: Arlo Guthrie (age 20) released first album, Alice’s Restaurant.
Sly and the Family Stone
October 1967 future Woodstock performer Sly and the Family Stone released first album, “A Whole New Thing.” (Sly Stone, 24)
Ten Years After
October 27, 1967 future Woodstock performer Ten Years After released its first album, Ten Years After. Alvin Lee, age 22.
Johnny Winter
In 1968 Johnny Winter (age 22) released first album, The Progressive Blues Experiment.
Blood, Sweat and Tears
February 21, 1968 future Woodstock performer Blood, Sweat, & Tears released its first album, Child is Father to the Man.
The Band
July 1, 1968: The Band released its first album, Music From Big Pink. Rick Danko, age 26; Robbie Robertson, age 25; Levon Helm, age 28; Richard Manuel, age 25; Garth Hudson, age 31.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
July 5, 1968 future Woodstock performer Creedence Clearwater Revival released first album, Creedence Clearwater Revival. John Fogarty, age 23
Melanie
November 1968: Melanie (age 21) released her first album, Born to Be.
Sweetwater
Sweetwater released its first album entitled Sweetwater in 1968.
Bert Sommer
In 1968 Bert Sommer (age 18) released his first album, The Road to Travel. It was produced by Artie Kornfeld. Sommer was a schoolmate of Leslie West.
Keef Hartley Band
TheKeef Hartley Band (Keef Hartley age 25 whose career began as the replacement for Ringo Starr as drummer for Rory Storm and the Hurricane) released first album, Halfbreed in 1969.
Mountain
Mountain formed in 1969. Leslie West age 24. They will not release their first album until 1970.
Sha Na Na
Sha Na Na released its first album, Rock and Roll is Here to Stay in 1969.
Joe Cocker
April 23, 1969 Joe Cocker (age 24) released first album, With a Little Help from My Friends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYa_PPkBQi4
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
May 29, 1969 Crosby, Stills, & Nash released first album. (David Crosby age 28; Stephen Stills age 24; Graham Nash, age 27).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0fwcem15qM
C, S, N, and Neil Young’s first album, Deja Vu, was released on March 11, 1970
Santana
August 1969: Santana (Carlos Santana, 22) released its first album, Santana.