Concertgoers strolled the fields naked, wearing tie-dye and getting high Friday like the let-it-all-hang-out generation before them, with one big difference: This Woodstock opened on time and fully wired.
About 75,000 people had arrived by the noon opening act at Woodstock '94, a local heavy metal band called Roguish Armament with Rekk.In decibels and attitude, it was a far cry from Richie Havens, the folk singer who was the last-minute choice to open the original Woodstock 25 years ago because the sound system wasn't ready. He went on stage hours late.
"It's music history in the making. It's good to be a part of it," said Michael Link, 25, of Gore, Va., who doffed his shirt to show off his nipple ring.
Opening ceremonies included psychedelic artist Peter Max urging the crowd to behave since "the whole world is watching," and Mohawk Indians dancing and singing for peace, harmony and love.
Many in the mainly 20-something crowd harkened back to the free-spirited original Woodstock by walking around naked and smoking marijuana.
T-shirts advertised musical tastes from Nine Inch Nails and Metallica to Bob Marley and the Grateful Dead.