Sweetwater’s Bittersweet Woodstock Experience

The rock band Sweetwater, slated to kick off the legendary Woodstock music festival, got caught in the same highway tangle en route to Bethel with thousands stuck on the road. With their big moment snagged by traffic, singer Richie Havens stepped in as the unexpected opening act. Sweetwater eventually got their groove on and scored the “first band to perform” title.

Ironically, a few months from this snap, a gnarly car crash left lead singer Nancy Nevins voiceless and led to Sweetwater’s swan song. Talk about a rollercoaster ride from Woodstock to real life.

Next: Woodstock acts lost in time.