For some reason – I guess it’s the sped-up media machine powered by cable news and the internet – we seem to be celebrating 40th Anniversaries (such as the moon landing) these days, instead of waiting for the Golden (50th) Anniversary.

Today, it’s the 40th anniversary of Woodstock making the news.

Ah yes, three days – Aug. 15, 16 & 17, 1969 – of peace and music. 1967 was the Summer of Love; August 1969 made it, in some ways, the keystone of a summer of peace, music, love, hippies and drugs.

I was only 10 years old at the time – just getting ready to enter the 5th grade. I think I recall seeing some stories of it on the news at the time (yes, I’d watch the news with my folks occasionally), but nothing really sticks with me. The moon landing – less than a month earlier – had a much more profound effect on me.

Today, of course, I truly wish I could have been there. Wow – look at the talent: Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, CSN&Y;, the frickin’ Who! Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie, Canned Heat (Going Up the Country) and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

And the list goes on and on (who can forget Joe Cocker’s rendition of I’ll Get By With a Little Help From My Friends?).

Best. Concert. Ever.

And a pretty damn good documentary, as well. And – of course – now reissued in a special 40th Anniversary edition. I have the original album from the documentary (circa 1975 or so), and if I recall correctly, Janis Joplin wasn’t on same (legal issue). Maybe she’s on earlier reissues/Directors’ Cuts, but she certainly appears to be here now. Excellent.