R.I.P. Richie Havens

[Mike Pell]

Richie Havens wanted his ashes to be scattered at the site of the historic Woodstock Festival, where his opening performance made him an icon 44 years ago last weekend.

Sunday, August 18, there was a memorial celebration with John Hammond, John Sebastian, and others at 3 p.m.

Following the memorial, Richie’s ashes were scattered with flower petals from the air across the fields of Max Yasgur’s Farm (now home to the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts).

Bethel Woods ran supplemental sound to the concert field so folks could hear the performances and see the scattering of the ashes.

There also was a drum circle hosted by Jimi Hendrix’s percussionist Juma Sultan at 12:30 p.m. on the original festival field.

[Mike Pell]

That was a nice sendoff.

With me they would scatter my ashes in all the bars I drank in, but there wouldn't be enough ashes, lol!

[Jon]

I'm being serious. To have his ashes scattered at Woodstock is just amazing and wonderful.

[Mike Pell]

I can't tell if you are being sarcastic or not!

See what you have done, lol?

[Jon]

Wow. That was a wonderful ceremony.