Stairway to Heaven

Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on.

Three days ago I asked one of my good friends whether he has ever been to music concerts. He said he hadnt because he dint have company that was good enough. I then ask him flirtily [if there's a word like that] which concert he would want to go to and with whom. Returning the favour, and very obviously he wanted to go with me. But here's the best part: He wanted to go to Woodstock 1969 with me.

This was 3 days back and i havent stopped thinking about Woodstock since.
Rohan, I wish we could really go back in time. But Thanks for this imaginary journey and a natural high you've set me upon.

I know i may be sounding really narrow minded when i say the era 'rocked' coz its not only the musicians that existed on the face of the earth during 1960s. But, the decade was 'happenin' in the true sense. That's when Woodstock was conceptualised and actualised, to begin with. Neil Amstrong did what he did, in the 1960s. The hippie culture, which was a religion of its own. Who cared about anything but giving free love. It was all about communicating. Connecting. How the whole nation's youth came together to protest against innocent soldiers dying at Vietnam for no good reason.

Sometimes I wonder if it is the place or the time that affect people, events, thoughts, innovations. I ve never got a 100% answer. Its always a composite force; place, time and the history of the place play their roles.

Look i have not done any kind of research on what happened in India or any other part of the world during the 60s. So dont call me a nation traitor or some wierdo who is obssessed with everything 'phoren'. But, frankly Rock n Roll was the best gift to the world from the early UK and US bands. It can get you high. Really. And im not talking about the drugs and all the other taboos associated with this period, coz dont think thats cool anyway. But the music is all i care about.

Surekha, i wanna give you a big hug and a kiss for introducing me to this world of music. Especially, Led Zeppelin. I never understood how much music can affect someone. You made me realise. Thanks Pa for making Surekha inseparable from your collection of Rock n Roll. This feels amazing.

Coming back to Woodstock 1969... you just have to read this to know what went into creating a landmark in time. This is written by Elliot Tiber, a member of the organising team of this Mega event. http://www.woodstock69.com/wsrprnt1.htm. Make sure you're truly interested in reading this before you click this link (it's long and its 19, 000 words). Else pls just make do with my little blog. Thanks.

I have not worked even for a second without my earphones on, for the past 3 days. And trust me Live versions of the songs can make you go mad. It can get you to hallucinate. It can be any song you like. I have stuck with Stairway to Heaven (Live) for the past 24 hours. (thats 8*3) I have heard this song over and over again and cannot stop closing my eyes and nodding to the beats every single time. I hate my phone ringing now. [so if you've heard me say 'i have work, i'll call u back', sorry i was lying] Even when I go home, dinner is plain disturbance, when I sit down with my guitar. I have been fantasising a time machine that can take me back in time just to experience this hallmark of an event...

I only wonder what goes into making songs that sweep people off their feet, whacks them off their minds for decades and decades after. There's one thing i realy like about what they say about woodstock:

Thousands left the Woodstock event with a totally different outlook on life; and through it all, the Music flowed.

500,000 young citizens were virtually left on their own and discovered the words Sharing, Helping, Consideration, and Respect to be very powerful. It was 3 whole days of continuous music. It was eating and spending time in a misrocosmic society, all under the morning sky and the stars. Who would not want to have been there.

Altamont speedway, the Mick Jagger sponsored event, was another big one, but just a wannabe-woodstock sort of an event. He made some wrong choices [fine i wont laugh]. In anycase, I wish i could see something like this happen in my lifetime.

For those who are reading this and have never had the passion for music... I dont think you've ever heard music in your life. Coz its not about what kind of music it is, but how you look at it and let your mind absorb every note. That's when you'll see how it becomes like a drug. An addictive urge. And you'll have a different outlook on life.

And as for us sisters and brothers of the music crazy fraternity, Lets keep the music flowing.

ps: While I was reading this Rockumentary, all I could think of was about making a movie on 'how woodstock happened'. If anyone of you has some similar ideas, lets just get together and get rockin... Im very serious... I wanna film the-making and the concert itself - wonder who all will play!!!