What people know of Woodstock today is our film. They don't really know the reality in any other way than we put it, i think we were pretty faithful, but another filmmaker might have chosen to film all love songs and not really gone for the politics. But that was what I wanted to do.

Michael Wadleigh

Categorized in : Entertainment

We had really researched what we wanted to do in terms of the bands and their music. I was heavily lyrically driven. I wanted to make sure that every song was a socially conscious song.

Michael Wadleigh

We would hope that there were more people writing songs, which are so powerful, that articulate these issues. In terms of getting at the real problems we face with sustainable development and greenhouse gas emissions, they are just not being made.

Michael Wadleigh

We talked ahead of time about' The Canterbury Tales.' We tried to get profiles of people - the nude bathing, the couple on the road, the guy who was cleaning the toilets. He had such pride in what he was doing.

Michael Wadleigh

I think no-one was surprised to hear that Janis Joplin was dead. She seemed to be living up all of her energy that she had to give in just a few years. Now you listen to covers of her songs by various women, and it's pale in comparison.

Michael Wadleigh

dead think you women

The intensity with which Janis Joplin sings, you simply can't find a singer like that. It's almost scary the amount of emotion and energy and passion she puts into her performance.

Michael Wadleigh

performance you passion energy

Woodstock was the antithesis of what the music industry turned into. And if anyone tries to tie another Woodstock festival to an obnoxious sponsor, I'll be out protesting again.

Michael Wadleigh

out music-industry industry music

I was with Tina Turner when she first saw Janis Joplin, and she said to Janis, 'Honey, you can't continue to sing like that, or you'll have no voice,' and Janis' response was just to laugh and take a swig on her Southern Comfort.

Michael Wadleigh

laugh you voice comfort