Funeral, 1945

Navy Chief Petty Officer Graham Jackson always entertained Franklin D. Roosevelt every time the erstwhile President paid a visit to Warm Springs. He got an opportunity to play for Roosevelt’s visit on April 12, 1945.

Although Jackson got to play the accordion, however, it was at Roosevelt’s funeral. The Navy Chief couldn't stop his eyes from misting over as he strummed on the guitar the two songs, Goin’ Home and Nearer My God to Thee.

The Kennedy Brothers, 1960

Hank Walker clicked a private moment of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy in their Los Angeles hotel room. The Democratic National Convention was happening on that particular day,

JFK was a U.S. Senator at that time. His brother Robert served as his advisor once he was elected president. Nobody would have imagined that both would lose their life to an assassin's bullet.

The Ultimate Diva Marilyn Monroe, 1962

Marilyn Monroe was truly an enigmatic Hollywood personality. She was someone whom you couldn't put in the constraints of conventions. Here she is performing at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962. She was singing on President JFK’s birthday.

Bill Ray took a priceless shot of her singing, Happy Birthday. The shot clicks her in all her sensuous avatars. The President and the artist were then having a roaring affair, and strangely both of them were gone too soon. Here the diva is looking drop-dead gorgeous in her slinky shimmering gown.

Dynamic Speech by JFK, 1960

John F. Kennedy was 43 years old when he was selected as the youngest president America ever had. Photographers of popular magazines such as LIFE went on to become part of various JFK campaigns and appearances.

In 1960, in West Virginia, Kennedy went on to deliver an outstanding speech when Hank Walker clicked him. In those days security wasn’t mandatory as it is now. Here Kennedy is looking young and vulnerable giving speeches from the chair, alone, without any security support amidst a crowd.

The Gender Defining Moment 1954

While nowadays there may be a number of ways to detect the gender of the unborn child in the 50s, pregnant women could get to know the same by getting their tongues analyzed in labs to know the same. Jane Dill's child's gender detection has been saved for posterity as the doctor says it is a girl. It is Wallace Kirkland who got to capture the moment.

The moment has been perfectly captured by Kirkland. There was a lab in Northbrook, Illinois, that made the parent's dreams possible!

A Day Out for Robert. F. Kennedy, 1968

President Robert F. Kennedy cleared his head before he got back to work in the morning with his dog, Freckles in tow. Bill Eppridge caught Robert F. Kennedy enjoying his moment of peace in the wee hours of the morning. Sadly it was one of the last photos taken of the presidential candidate.

As we all know how he was killed at the hands of a Jordanian civilian. The man was gone too soon, but actually, his legacy was captured forever and ever thanks to this photo featured on the Cover of LIFE.

Sugar Ray Robinson in Training, 1950

Not many know that Sugar Ray Robinson's actually known as Walker Smith jr,  he is also one of the best boxers of all time. He started competing from 1940 to 1965, and this was one picture that clicked during the peak days of his career.

Ralph Morse was the one to train Sugar Ray Robinson to achieve super athleticism. One of the best shots of the maestro is of him flying in the air, eight inches off the ground, looking his athletic best.

The Charming Side of Audrey Hepburn, 1953

The gorgeous Audrey Hepburn is always a photographer's delight. Mark Shaw got an opportunity to photograph this iconic actress in her candid avatar. Audrey was just 24 years old then and Mark spent the day with her shooting her in all her glory going through her day without any starry tantrums.

It was one of the peak phases of her career and Audrey was enjoying her newfound success. She was one of the few actresses who could make even a plain white shirt look impossibly glamorous.

Sailor Kissing a Nurse, 1945

This was a famous photo of a sailor kissing a nurse right in the middle of Times Square and is a story that is not bandied around much. Alfred Eisenstaedt was a click-happy photographer who photographed civilians who were riding the happiness wave after World War II, and he captured the couple indulging in a kiss before everyone.

There is an interesting backstory about the kiss, as the guy who planted a kiss on the woman's lips was seen kissing a lot of women on the street, this was the best kiss captured by the ace photographer.

Against Color Discrimination, 1955

This picture represents a perennial fight against the color barrier. Jackie Robinson was in the rounding third base to ensure that the Brooklyn Dodgers are the absolute winners in the 1955 World Series.

Ralph Morse captured the iconic moment when Robinson was beating the Yankees, but it was not just a winning moment, they captured so much more. Robinson was also a chief advocate of civil rights. He joined the color discrimination fight for ages until he earned the distinction of being the first African American to play in the major leagues. No wonder he received immense respect from his loved ones all over the world.

Picture Perfect Hells Angels, 1965

In 1965, photographer Bill Ray shot two Hells Angels members having a good time at the bar. Ray spent a considerable amount of time with the gang until he was able to can the perfect shot. The guys did look drunk but still, the pictures were candid and came out beautifully.

But that was not all, even if Ray’s work was top-notch, LIFE failed to publish these pictures as editors said that no one was interested in watching their pictures.

A War Prisoner, 1945

War photographers seldom have it easy, especially clicking photos of war-ravaged places. Everyone there had to face the consequences of war. Carl Mydans was one of them, as the Japanese captured him in 1941.

Meydan's work was primarily based on LIFE on General Douglas MacArthur, saying that he would return and check on the Philippines, he has been a war prisoner for two years and took time out to click such relevant and telling pictures.

The Legendary Shot of Frank Sinatra, 1964

The American singer and actor,  Frank Sinatra also nicknamed the chairman of the Board, was a much sought-after person. The photographer John Dominis was keen to photograph him and spent months keeping a tab o Sinatra’s activity that was gradually published in LIFE.

Dominis captured Frank in all his steamy glory, yes he was taking a steam bath. He was trying to refresh and rejuvenate himself after a night of revelry at the bar, not that he was drunk!

The Rebellious Part of James Dean, 1955

Photographer Dennis Stock may have taken many photos in his life but none that was as hard-hitting as this one that of the late American actor James Dean. Dean cuts a lonely figure in theTimes Square under the rain.

Strangely, this picture was taken in 1955, the year when Dean met with a tragic death thanks to a car accident in California. The picture speaks a thousand words representing his rebel spirit as he skips the umbrella to get drenched in the rain.

Youthful Audience at a Paris Puppet Show, 1963

No photos are created equal, there are ones when the subject of the photo gives a measured look, not a hair out of the place, then there are photos that are so candid that you experience an immediate connection with the photo. Photographers like Alfred Eisenstaedt know exactly how to click on the pulse of the photo, it's all about the instinct, not the expensive camera that does the trick sometimes.

Alfred didn't let an opportunity go waste as he clicked young children enjoying a puppet show at a park in Paris. The expressions are interesting while one child is goofy the other is scared and the other can't contain his exuberance.

Richard Nixon As An Attorney, 1946

There are some interesting tidbits about presidents, they have such a towering persona as a president that people hardly recognize their true selves. Something similar can be said of the 37th President of the United States, Richard Nixon who was an attorney before turning president. Here he is photographed in 1946, while he was running a campaign for Congress.

This was a time when Nixon was taking baby steps into the world of politics. It's nice to the person behind the confident polished exterior.

Capturing the Stunning Icons At The Academy Awards, 1956

This photo is gorgeous and why not when the subject are two of the most stunning and alluring actresses in the Hollywood industry? Allan Grant sure deserves a pat on the back for clicking the inimitable Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly at the Academy Awards, as they wait for their turns to go up the stage.

The interesting thing to note here is the duo never worked together and look drop-dead gorgeous in their customized gowns. The fact they are not looking at the camera and is their natural selves caught in their thoughts is what makes it so special.

Humane Images of World War 11, 1946

Eugene Smith is one of the few photographs that caught the candid images of World War II in the best possible way. He was such a dedicated photographer that he often got injured while he was capturing all the battle-worn images.

When he got injured after taking violent photos he decided to change tactics and click photographers for something positive. Like this one here, where he took photographs of Patrick and Juanita. The kids are walking towards the light leaving behind the shadow of death and despair, it was the sign of a new beginning.

Spanish Village, Deleitosa, 1951

There is a village called Deleitosa between Madrid and Portugal, photographer Eugene Smith stayed in the village for a long time capturing various shots for LIFE.

This picture here denotes, the Spanish Village where Smith captured the various moments of Deleitosa’s peasants. During those tense times,  civil guards were positioned on every corner and the photographer clicked them along with their candid expressions. Photograpgher4s those days were more about denoting real emotions than denoting doctored emotions. The soldiers here are enjoying a relaxing moment here.

All Eyes on Kim Novak, 1956

Imagine a room full of men noisy and boisterous but suddenly a woman walks in, and all is quiet as they check out the woman walking in. Photographer skillfully captures Leonard McCombe in real life. '

Here Beautiful actress Kim Novak is seen sitting here for the 20th-century Limited dinner and is surrounded by men in suits. The picture denotes the hold that beautiful and young women have over men, they are unable to resist the charms of a femme fatale. This picture proves the universal truth.

The Creative Side of Dali Atomicus, 1948

This picture here denotes the eccentricity and creativity of Salvador Dali. You need to double your effort to create the perfect shot. You need to try 28 times before you are able to create the perfect shot and spend six hours creating the perfect shot.

Photographer Philippe Halsman later revealed that the whole crew had worked so much that they got wet, dirty, and tired as they tried to get the perfect shot. Did the cats also jump as many times to get the perfect shot? Not cool, we say!

The Best Picture of Ernest Hemingway, 1959

In the quest of getting the perfect shot of Ernest Hemmingway at Ketchum, Idaho, in 1959,  John Bryson got the perfect shot of clicking him kicking a can on the road. Bryson even clicked Hemingway's wife.

Hemingway even admitted that it was one of his best shots. It just proves how fickle life can be, this moment Hemingway was enjoying his moment, and just years after this shot, Hemingway shot himself in the head. But it's best to remember him this way throwing caution to the wind.

A Wedding at North Dakota, 1962

What does a bride feel when she is getting married? Well, the bride goes through a gamut of emotions and no one could have shot it better than Michael Rougier who was working at a wedding in North Dakota in 1962. Just before the bride was about to get married the photographer went to the bride’s room and conducted shooting.

Rougier took the shot of the woman peeking out the window. He was feeling a range of emotions right from anxiousness, nerves, high expectations, and the feeling that brides may get, the feat of commitment.

The Childlike Quality of Little Leaguers, 1954

Thrust the Manchester, NH, Little Leaguers to make an iconic shot that of getting these boys all dressed up and ready to play, except that some of them ditched the uniforms.

In this 1954 photo of Yale, Joel wrote a message with the picture, saying even if your suit is not perfect, you don't bother about it just like the children here who are not bothered about their looks at all. They don’t care about how they look at all and are nonchalant about their appearance.

The Clash of the Titans, 1971

Boxing legends Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali one of the most legendary fights in March 1971, and the world knew it as the “Fight of the Century.” At Madison Square Garden, Frazier beat Ali to the canvas and was able to defend the title.

Photographer John Shearer took the photo of Ali sneaking into Frazier's training headquarters with a naughty expression on his face while Frazier chose to look away as he clenched his fist showing repressed anger.

Something Unexpected Happened at Ann Arbor, 1950

Alfred Eisenstaedt has photographed many photographs of sports stars and Ann Arbor was just one of them as he photograph a uniformed drum major as he was doing his usual drill such as high kicks for a march when something completely unexpected happened.

After following the major’s high kicks, seven children were there in the line trying to pick up the major’s technique. The little rock stars seem to be the ultimate champions.

The Iconic Bill Cosby, 1969

Anyone can look at the silhouette and identify the picture just by looking at the picture. Right from his profile, and hair, to his cigarette, it reminds you of the ultimate icon.

John Loengard captured him on April 11, 1969. The 60s were the golden period for comedians and actors. Bill Cosby had a dream run and continued to rule for five decades which is no mean feat. This picture of Cosby still packs a punch and is one of the most iconic shots ever taken by Loengard. This is Bill Cosby as we know it.

Sea Of Hats, 1930

The initial cover of the publication included this image of Margaret Bourke-White. She was interested in aerial photography and always got the best photos. She captured the men wearing hats in the Garment District of New York City, on 36th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.

Margaret was nothing short of a legend. She was not only the first woman photographer in WWII to receive accreditation but also the first woman to fly a combat mission and enter the USSR.

Sunset Killer, 1966

John Dominis received an eight-month assignment from LIFE. He had to take distinctive and uncommon pictures in the African wilderness. He worked hard, and the results were for everyone to see.

Although you might think it is a romantic situation, it is a ferocious leopard slowly approaching its victim with a stunning sunset in the background.

Gunhild Larking, 1956

George

Silk captured high jumper Gunhild Larking of Sweden in this shot at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. The high jumper, then 20 years old, awaited her chance to compete.

George Silk has spent nearly his entire professional career (30 years) at LIFE. He spent his whole life documenting wartime events. Silk was at the front while he captured the Battle of the Bulge.

Breaking Away, 1947

LIFE generally based its content on images of some of the most influential historical figures and raw war footage. However, they were able to get photos of ordinary people.

Ralph Crane, a photographer, captured the perfect image of a youngster escaping from a children's home. Despite how tragic it may seem, Crane made it easy for the readers to understand the message.

Liz and Monty, 1950

After filming many sequences for the love story A Place in the Sun, photographer Peter Stackpole photographed private moments between stars Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift. After the movie hit the theatres, Taylor and Clift came close.

The performers never stop working, even when not on the shoot. They certainly saw the camera aimed at them. The stances are both natural and ideal for a picture session.

The Beatles, 1964

John Loengard captured images of The Beatles' first visit to Miami. George, Ringo, Paul, and John are having a great time swimming in a Miami pool on a bright and sunny day. The water, however, was not ideal.

Ringo's expressions reveal how chilly it was. Therefore Loengard had invited these luminaries to hum a song so they could ignore the cold water and pose for the photograph.

A 3-D Movie Audience, 1952

A 3-D movie release was a prime event in the 1950s one could not miss. The crowd of the first color 3-D movie, Bwana Devil, was captured on camera by J.R. Eyerman.

Although it appears that it is an orchestrated audience, they enjoyed being there. The crowd is decked up in suits and looking in the same direction.

The Heart of NYC, 1943

Pennsylvania Station was the center of all activities in New York City between 1910 and 1963. The lovely location you see in this shot in the photograph was destroyed in 1963 to make way for Madison Square Garden.

The waiting area at the Station was captured on film by Alfred Eisenstaedt. Some components that one could never forget to include were the clock, the architecture, and the crowd.

Country Doctor, 1948

In Kremmling, Co., Dr. Ernest Ceriani was the sole physician available on call for a 1,200-square-mile region. Being close to a doctor during that period was a blessing. Dr. Ceriani was captured on camera by W. Eugene Smith. Smith titled the photo -  Country Doctor.

After D. Ceriani conducted a c-section at 2 a.m. in the hospital kitchen, Smith took this snap. Unfortunately, there were some issues, and both the mother and the child passed away.

Shot of Airplane Douglas 4, 1939

Photographer Margaret Bourke-White has always been a pro at clicking gorgeous aerial pictures. All her photographers came out really well capturing the throbbing beauty of the city. The city looked so different from the top, vibrant and bustling with life.

This photo in particular is the 1939 shot of airplane Douglas 4 flying over Manhattan city representing which was successful in representing her love for architecture and her love for aerial shots. The city looks breathtaking, doesn't it? No wonder her aerial shots were much sought-after.

Drive-in to the Paramount Theater, 1958

While drive-in cinemas are one of the most popular ways of entertaining people, it was not so usual to see them in the 50s. But there was a drive-in in Utah where the ground was crowded with sedans. The audience was watching the iconic film, The Ten Commandments in 3-D, it was a Cecil B. DeMille film.

This photo is one of the most iconic photos clicked by Photographer J.R. Eyerman captured the moment when Charlton Heston, playing Moses, stretches his arms as he separates the Red Sea. That stretch of arms reminds one of the other famous scenes of Titanic, where Jack and Rose stretch their hands.

Clouds Fall Over Texaco, 1947

Photographer Andreas Feininger has a penchant for clicking unique pictures of stunning architecture. Here he takes a photo of silent Route 66. The cloudy sky adds a different dimension to this photo. It was a usual day in Seligman, Arizona where the clouds are swirling away on a hot summer's day.

The picture speaks a lot about a quiet place as clouds crowd over Texaco. The American West was pictured in all its gorgeous avatars in 1947. It is certainly a gorgeous sight and the photographer has captured the beauty of the place like no other.

Lindy Hop, 1943

Professional dancers Leon James and Willa Mae Ricker were clicked doing the alleged Lindy Hop. The image combines art, happiness, and enthusiasm.

This particular dance step started at a Harlem Savoy Ballroom back in 1927. An improvised dance that Lindbergh performed over the Atlantic Ocean inspired the name of this dance step.

Arctic Wolf, 1986

Photographer Jim Brandenburg was pursuing an arctic wolf somewhere in northern Canada to get the best frame. He was not one to accept defeat. This image, clicked by him, shows the wolf leaping from one piece of ice to another.

Brandenburg captured the Arctic at its best and worst. He portrayed the daily battle of the arctic animals amid the cold and harsh climate of the region. The poor wolf possibly had to swim through chilly waters.

John Glenn, 1960

When the Mercury 7 was preparing to go into space in the 1950s, Ralph Morse, a LIFE photographer, was there to document the entire event. Morse, who spent weeks tracking the astronauts' movements, earned the title of the eighth Mercury astronaut.

It was John Glenn who gave him this title. Morse immediately rose to prominence after he photographed Glenn. He became the face of America's space race.

War Caption, 1944

Great photographers have spent weeks and months working with courageous troops to get close views of a battle. Famous photographer W. Eugene Smith captured this image during the Battle of Saipan.

Looking over his shoulders, the soldier appears both resolute and worn out. The American people received a crystal-clear message from this picture that the soldiers would finish the war.

Mickey Mantle at Yankee Stadium, 1965

Athletes have to work really hard to stay strong and maintain their streak of success. Unfortunately, there are players like Mickey Mantle, who have been a center fielder and a legendary who was once a legend, but their careers reached their peak, and then sadly his career hit a slump, and things went from bad to worse.

In 1965, John Dominis clicked him at Mantle at Yankee Stadium. The picture denotes his extreme frustration at the failures of what he was facing at the same time.

Mohandas Gandhi, 1946

In 1946, Margaret Bourke-White took a picture of Mohandas Gandhi, often known as The Great Soul, standing next to his spinning wheel. Gandhi has been the subject of some classic photos, with this one taking the top spot.

The spinning wheel in the image had a special significance since it stood for the Gandhi-favored peaceful fight for India's independence from Great Britain. There is something tranquil and peaceful about this photo.

Mark Spitz, 1972

While Mark Spitz was in training, LIFE photographer Co Rentmeester clicked him. Rentmeester once participated in the Olympics, representing the Netherlands in the 1960 Games. That was before he took up photography as his career.

He clicked this photo one month before the 1972 Munich Olympics. Spitz won seven gold medals at the event, an undisputed record. You can sense Spitz's power and live action together in this snap.

Born in 1965

It was the first time someone clicked the fetus within a womb. Lennart Nilsson captured every stage of the pregnancy's development on camera. Not only was it meticulous and flawless, but it also helped people get advanced knowledge of the human embryo.

You can even notice the fetus' nails in this image of the 17-week-old fetus because it is so clean and well-preserved. The picture appeared on the LIFE magazine cover. With 8 million copies published, all sold out in just four days. The work of Nilsson had a significant influence.

Jet Age Man, 1954

Photographer Ralph Morse experimented with shadows and lighting to produce abstract images. He was usually successful, as you can make out from this photo. He took a picture of an air force pilot for the cover of the 1954 issue of LIFE.

Jet Age Man was the title of this Morse's piece. Although it looks like he painted the man in a zebra pattern, it was a masterpiece from Morse.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn, 1981

This picture gives us a sense of freedom and free will. Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a Russian author, confessed in front of photographer Harry Benson that breathing in America was liberating.

The writer spent his days in exile in Vermont. That is where Benson clicked this photograph. Benson snapped the moment when the Nobel Prize winner demonstrated what it was like to be free in America.

Ingrid Bergman, 1949

Gordon Parks took pictures of actress Ingrid Bergman. She was busy shooting for the Roberto Rossellini movie Stromboli in Italy. The Swedish actress, who was married, had a relationship with the film's director.

What happens in Italy stays in Italy. But since the actress became pregnant and their relationship became public, what happened there didn't just remain there. Parks caught three local women staring down Bergman.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, 1959

The previous monarch of England, who reigned for little than a year, leaped with his wife for a well-known photograph by Philippe Halsman. The abdication of the Duke to be with his beloved caused an international uproar.

Royals have consistently displayed their perfection. The Duke of Windsor's resignation tainted the royal family Royals are so flawless that even when they leap, their photos should be perfect.

Freedom Riders, 1961

Freedom Riders battled against segregation vigorously in the 1960s. They had to put up with various violent activities, including firebombs and beatings. While they used to fight alone, they would get occasional help.

Paul Schutzer captured Freedom Riders David Dennis and Julia Aaron aboard a bus. The National Guard protected them as they attempted to integrate the bus.

The American Way, 1937

African-Americans were left hungry and hopeless by the Louisville Flood. Margaret Bourke-White photographed these victims as they waited in line to collect food and clothing.

Margaret clicked these guys posing in front of upscale advertising. The irony of the situation was that this photograph received more praise than those depicting the floods.

Pablo Picasso, 1949

It is a photo of two artists working together in one space. Photographer Gjon Mili visited Pablo Picasso's studio in France to take pictures of the artist.

Special effects didn't exist seventy years ago. Artists employed their creativity to produce creative works. Due to the unique circumstances of its 1949 production, critics consider this image as LIFE's best.

Winston Churchill, 1941

Some photographers are masters of shadows and lighting. They employ approaches to ensure their work stands out. Yousuf Karsh, a photographer, is a case in point.

Karsh captured Winston Churchill, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom. The strength and force of this photo would have frightened Hitler. He was indestructible and had a strong will.

Georgia O'Keeffe, 1966

Famous American painter Georgia O'Keeffe made significant contributions to modern art. The photographer John Loengard captured the artist for LIFE when he turned 80.

Landscapes of New Mexico were among the various subjects that O'Keeffe painted in the past. So, on the day she turned 80, Loengard took a picture of her amid the breathtaking scenery of New Mexico.

Charlie Chaplin, 1952

Eugene Smith clicked Charlie Chaplin during the shoot of Limelight, a film he wrote, produced and directed. He discovered his comedic side from this role.

He was 63 years old when the movie came out. Smith caught a private moment of the actor in the changing area.

Joseph Goebbels, 1933

There are times when a picture speaks a thousand words. Alfred Eisenstaedt caught this hateful picture. Nazi Minister Joseph Goebbels first smiled at photographer Eisenstaedt before discovering that Eisenstaedt was Jewish.

His smiling expression abruptly faded. The Nazi's face displayed hate for him. However, the German photographer didn't hesitate to click him even as Goebbels gave him hostile stares.

Clarence Hailey Long, 1949

A few decades ago, people considered smoking as a medium to be more stylish. The high class favored smoking during social functions. Smoking for a commercial made the actor more seductive.

Or at least that is how Leonard McCombe portrayed Clarence Hailey Long. The Marlboro Man is romantic since he is in a Western and sensual because he is smoking.

1945 Holocaust

Margaret Bourke-White was present at the liberation of the concentration camp, Buchenwald. That day, she caught the mayhem, the dead, the bodies, and the despair in her camera. She sought to convey how terrible those moments were.

She published this photo to inform readers that the dictatorship they had worked so hard to overthrow was finally gone. It served as a reminder of the things they were against and the things they had attained.

Next: Incredible Vintage Photos Of The Wild Wild West That Capture The Frontier As It Was

Birthday Party In The Wild West

You are looking at a Frontier birthday party. This photograph dates back to 1900, most probably by a woman, since everyone at the party is a woman. The celebrations were happening outside and everyone looked happy and jovial.

The table where the afternoon tea party took place was beautifully decorated with flowers. Not much information is available about the family shown in this snapshot, but it’s an easy guess that everyone was enjoying the afternoon to the fullest, indulging in food and laughter. The kids had a great time playing outdoor games.

Ruffians On The Street

It’s hard to imagine a frontier town without ruffians. The twins in the frontier were full of saloons and tough men. This snap dates back to 1895. There is a cluster of men who have assembled in front of a saloon close to a railroad.

By looking at them, one can guess that they are either workers who are on a break from work or men who are waiting to get aboard a train to the new town coming up in the West. With that being said, though you can identify them as ruffians, they don’t look that threatening.

Barroom Dispute Back In Those Days

During the Klondike Gold Rush in the early 1900s, this is what a barroom scene would have looked like. Though it is a staged photograph, it’s not difficult to get an idea. A man wearing a cowboy hat and fringed leather jacket is holding a revolver and is busy arguing with a fellow gambler.

A brawl might break out and that has made other gamblers and drinkers around them stop whatever they were doing to focus on these two men. Money and drink always lead to trouble and brawls. That has been proven time and again.

A Busy Day in a Western Town

A throwback to the 1903 photo, it is a typical frontier town that offers everything that the towns of yore stood for. The picture is of a busy main street in the western settlement of Tonopah, Nevada.

The town is the very picture of a bustling town, with the men bringing the things in the horse-drawn covered wagon brought goods to the trading posts. The people are either shopping away to glory, and some are going about their day. Everything is distinctive about this town, from what the people wear, their hats and their coats.

The Bars of the Western Town

Like the bars of an unknown town in California in 1890. Just like any hip and happening bar, you see today, where men go about enjoying their drinks, guzzle their beers over some conversation and guffaws of laughter. Similarly, the Couple of Wild West cowboys are gathering around the bar right in the middle of an interesting conversation and not forgetting to pose for a photo in the middle.

The bar stocks on the brands we drink today, such as Budweiser and Schlitz. The more things change, the more things remain the same, right?

Dashing Around  the Outlet Race

This photo is all about men and their beautiful horses moving at a break-neck speed blowing away the dust. This is a race in the Cherokee Outlet, just a few seconds after the gun went off.

It is a photo taken way back in 1893 and shows men riding their horseback on the field in Oklahoma. This is a picture from the Cherokee Outlet Opening, or the Land Run of 1893, which opened the Cherokee Outlet. It does make for a beautiful viewing and a spectacular sight!

Out and About the Grove

To everyone who thought that the Wild Wild West was only about men and their horses, well, this picture will tell you otherwise. Men also went about picking oranges from a bevy of orange groves.

This 1905 photo captures a couple of fruit pickers from the Covina Citrus Association in Southern California. Here they are shown strutting their stuff, picking up their haul from the orange grove, and their fruits of labor are for everyone to see. They are pretty proud of their ware. And the oranges do look fine produce.

For The Love of Gold Rush

Gold digging is every bit a hard task as much as it looks. Here, a few participants of the California Gold Rush are sifting through the water to get the gold.

Here, the river shown is the Snake River in Idaho, where you can find the hardest gold to mine. It is difficult to get the gold, and it is popular as flour or floats gold. This is a difficult loot to separate as you have to wean the precious gold from the not-so-useful. Here the men are going about their tasks with diligence.

Meandering Wagon Train

Growing vegetables in the Old West was quite difficult. This was because of the harsh conditions that stopped the crops from flourishing in the harsh conditions. This is a photo from 1880, which shows a wagon train driven by horses is laboring down the center of the town.

The farmers had to think about many things to make their crops grow. Irrigation was a problem. They had to use buckets to do the same. In fact, they even had to save their crops from hungry cows who would eat all the crops if let loose.

The Hidden Fortunes

What does a mining camp in Nevada way back in 1897 look like? A picture here will give you an idea. Nevada was the location to go if you wanted to find North America's gold nuggets.

It was all about the gold but also the silver. The people in Nevada first struck silver in Comstock Lode in western Nevada, and soon people were able to win a large loot. No wonder it is also famous as the Silver State as it had large amounts of silver hidden there.

The Great Wild West Show

Pawnee Bill rose to fame when he teamed up with Buffalo Bill and was a regular feature in Bill's Wild West show. However, success soon followed him as he chose to branch out with his show, Pawnee Bill's Great Wild West Show.

He also walked down the aisle with May Lillie, who courted fame in her way as she was a celebrated sharpshooter and a competent horse rider. No wonder she earned the title of the greatest Lady Horseback Rifle-shot of the World. Truly, well-deserved, don't you think so?

The Shod Shanty

This image gives a picture of the Sod Santy way back in 1880 and 1890. Here a large family is posing and preening right outside their South Dakota house. The Sod Santies was truly iconic. They became a part of American folk songs by Oliver Edwin Murray.

The Little Old Sod Shanty On The Claim song was reminiscent of the bygone era. The song tells of the trials and tribulations of homesteading on the Great Plains and became extremely popular among the settlers. The song was recorded countless times. It just goes to show why it struck a chord among the settlers.

Settlers Move To Their Farmhouse

The Homestead Act, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, offered farms, each covering an area of 160 acres to citizens. They could live on those farms for five years. Settlers from Nebraska's Cluster County, as you can see in this photograph, migrated from the East with their animals to the frontier country.

The government gave land at a very cheap price to more or less 400,000 families between 1862 and 1900. This propelled Western migration. However, this was terminated owing to the Taylor Grazing Act that President Roosevelt introduced in 1934.

Customers And Shopkeeper Lined Up In Front Of The Stores

This photograph dates back to 1894, shows the shopkeepers and the customers lined up in front of their stores on Broadway Street in Oklahoma Territory’s Round Pond. Before the advent of the settlers, the nomadic Native Americans were the original inhabitants of this land.

The Great Plains is split into two regions - The Indian Territory and the Oklahoma Territory. The town came into existence in the year 1893 and 8000 people started living in it. There was a hotel, quite a few restaurants, more than six grocery stores, two general stores, and law offices as well.

Publicity Photograph Of The Sharpshooter

Annie Oakley, the popular sharpshooter, is treasured by the Americans. This snap dates back to the latter half of the 1800s. There is a table in front of her on which different marksmanship medals have been placed and Annie is standing right next to it, loading a shotgun. This is a snap used to advertise her brilliant performance in none other than Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.

The outdoor western show, the first of its kind, was an adaptation of Buffalo Bills’ real-life adventures and was founded by Bill himself in 1883. Annie earned the distinction of winning her very first sharp-shooting match when she was just 15. Nothing could stop her from becoming a nationwide sensation later on.

Women Learning How To Shoot From Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley always had the desire to teach sharpshooting to women. As this photograph from the year 1918 shows, she is teaching women how to handle a real gun. Since she lost her father when she was a child, she took the entire responsibility on her shoulders of feeding her family.

She started taking lessons in trapping and learned shooting and hunting by the age of 8. Annie always had a sharp eye and she decided to turn that talent into a business. There was no doubt that her business became immensely successful.

Gold Hill Mining Camp

California’s Gold Hill was one of the sites where quartz gold was discovered. This photo that dates back to 1860 shows a part of the camp set up on the site. There is a story behind how gold was discovered here.

According to the Office of Historic Preservation, it was in October 1950 when George McKnight found out that his cow had escaped from its shelter and ran across this landscape. When McKnight took off after the cow to capture and bring her back, he stumbled against a rock that cropped out of the ground. It broke off easily and when McKnight examined it minutely, he found gold in it.

The Gambling Hall

The Gambling Hall of the Wild West looked exactly like this. This is a 1915 snap of a saloon and a gambling hall. There is a pool table, a card table, a dice table, and a dealer having poker chips in front of him. Behind these men, there is a poster of Buffalo Bill.

That seems to be an advertisement for the show named, The Congress of the Rough Riders of the World. When someone needed to unwind, escape from trouble, or win some money, this saloon and gambling hall was the perfect place to be.

The Cowboys

Though the Native American and African Cowboys have always been of major significance in the history of the Western territory, you won’t get many photos of them. This is a rare snap that was clicked between 1860 and 1870. One in four cowboys used to be of a colored complexion.

Just after the Civil War got over, men of color who didn’t want to take up jobs of delivery boys, elevator operators, or the like, had an inclination towards being a cowboy. According to a scholar researching African-American history, part of the job, they had to round up the cattle that had wandered away from the herd.

Pioneer Settlers

This photo from 1886 depicts a family of pioneer settlers standing next to their wagon. These covered wagons were made of wood to keep them lightweight. As horses were expensive, a majority of these settlers preferred oxen or mules to pull their wagons.

However, this family had horses pulling their wagon and that means they were quite well off. These settlers used to load these wagons with their belongings while migrating towards the West. But this looks empty. They might have just settled and might and are using it to roam around.

General John Charles Fremont

The American politician and explorer was a revered figure. He represented California as a senator and went to be the first candidate from the Republican Party to run for president in 1856. Gold was unearthed from his ranch during the California Gold Rush, thus making him a man of immense wealth.

This is an 1895 photograph where he is showing the size of the massive redwood trees to his wife, daughter, and friends in California’s Santa Cruz Grove of Big Trees. Everyone is standing in a circle to depict the circumference of the tree.

Life In The Frontier

This portrait from the late 1800s depicts a family outside their home. The American West, a popular book, tells a tale of not only conquest but also of survival and the merging of people belonging to different places and cultures.

As the East Coast started getting overcrowded, people migrated towards the West. The land there was good for farming and was available at a cheap price. People who moved in started their life afresh and settled down with time. This family of six people is one of those that chose the West as their future habitat.

Claim Shack On The Great Planes

If you have ever wondered what a claim shack might have looked like, this photograph from the early 1910s is an example you can refer to. These structures were used by homesteaders to lay claim on their farming land that covered a total area of around 160 acres.

To show others that particular land is under legal possession and no one else can farm or mine on it, landowners used to build these shanties in a hurry and walled them with tar paper. This shack was on the Great Planes of the Midwest.

Nostalgic Horse Rides

This snapshot has an amazing old world or retro-like feel, with the 6 horses pulling the stagecoach along rugged terrain. Back in those days, carriages or stagecoaches resembled buses and were meant for passengers who had to commute long distances.

Long after carriages became popular, train engines, powered by steam became the common mode of transport. Of course, this picture takes us back in time, but the journey is truly an arduous one. Nevertheless, the picture has been captured well, especially the essence of nostalgia is well retained.

Racing Against Speed

If there’s anything that stands out in this picture, it’s the expression of the horse, amidst the landscape where this photo has been captured. Anyone would make a journey into the land of cowboys and their adventurous streak, looking at this man and his team of horse riders.

This is a picture taken from the Old Western, but we wouldn’t disagree if someone says it’s akin to a romanticized version of the Wild West. Knowing full well that keeping up with the ace of a train is no mean feat, but there’s a typical adrenaline rush riding horses trying to beat the speed of the train.

The Splendid Arizona Family

For a split second, this vintage picture might look scary- as if the last photo was clicked before their house! But that’s not the case. This snap dates back to 1890, wherein a rather influential family posed in front of their ranch in Arizona, near Elfrida. While no one knew what was their occupation, it’s widely assumed that they were farmers or cattle rearers.

The picture is not candid, and everyone looks rather stoic. But the best part about the family was how they included their pets- dogs, and horse while the shot was taken. Elfrida now is a community that’s almost forgotten, but this family we bet will be remembered.

Mother And Son Before The Shack

A cutesy click, this landscape however looks a bit too rugged and empty. Especially with no greenery around or most trees that have been chopped off- we wonder if the ay dynasty had attacked a community or tribe back then.

Still, this woman makes for a happy picture who poses with her cute little son before their home. One thing is certain- 1910 dated photo speaks volumes about the sad state of affairs characterizing these poor lives. We can merely hope that the child grew up to be a great man.

Calm Navajo Indian

There should be no doubt that this is one of the finest photos to exist. Seems like a page torn from the history book. This photo reminds us of days when humans were afflicted by war. However, it’s a far cry from that! There is no revolver, no bullet,  just a calm, patient man on a horse, against a picturesque view.

He’s a Navajo Indian who has posed net to the Monument Valley formations. If you didn’t know about Native Americans- they became pros in herding angry animals like buffaloes and worked hard to make a living. He’s one of them.

Pack Of Prospectors Looking For Gold

A group of Americans in this picture posed with equipment since they wanted to trap some gold in the Northwest. If you are wondering how then this is a fact from 1867! The Discovery of gold in Eastern and Northern Washington pulled California prospectors towards the north. This infused the territory with a lot of successive developments and challenges.

While you look at them, their chivalrous attitude and spark can be visible enough. The vintage era is truly special, especially with the attire that people sported. This picture is no different either.

Next: Unseen Photos of the Woodstock Festival That Will Take You Back to the 1960s Almost Instantly!

HI THERE, LET’S MAKE SOME MUSIC

Woodstock was the event for all the people who love music, as it provided them a chance to get away from all the problems and despair of the world and completely indulge in the spell of the music. This event was not just to promote love for music, but it gathered all the hippies who believed in spreading love and harmony over the globe. Hence it was the perfect event for music lovers and individuals who aimed to share their love.

It seems it’s not just the music that everyone was enjoying, they might be under the spell of some substances too. That helped them get lost in the music and celebrations. These substances can be as powerful as spiritual catalysts to make the people see the earth as a better place to live, or so they believe.

JANIS JOPLIN AND SOME LIQUID COURAGE

Janis Joplin was also there at the Woodstock event. She was 69 years old at the time but looked beautiful, stunning, and confident in her unique, hot tie-dye printed dress with silver shoes. To complete her look, she wore some accessories including a necklace and bracelets.

She got intensely occupied with a lot of reporters and fans, and she was not able to sit for a long time as she had to address a lot of reporters' questions who approached her. Because of this, she lost all of her energy before her performance on stage. To regain her energy and regain her nerves, she took the help of the wine. But unfortunately, she had an overdose of wine due to which she kept on forgetting the lyrics during her performance.

SMILE FOR THE CAMERA, JERRY GARCIA

Jerry Garcia was one of the famous lead songwriters and vocalists of the reputable band "Grateful Dead" in the 1960s. He was there at the Woodstock Festival to give his best performance. But he was unaware of all the problems that he was fated for that night before getting this picture clicked.

He is looking really happy and satisfied in the picture. His thick beard, curly hair, and round-colored glasses make us wonder if it was all included in the fashion trends of the 1960s. Unfortunately, that Saturday night was not for him, as he faced a lot of technical difficulties. All of these problems made that night horrible, which he must have thought to be one of the best nights of his life.

JANIS JOPLIN SHOWS OFF HER MOVES

From attendees to performers, everyone was enjoying the Woodstock Festival by dancing or making hippie moves. It was an event for everyone to have the best time of their lives as there was no one to stop or judge them. The beautiful Janis Joplin, who performed the hit song "Ball and Chain" at the event, was also enjoying herself to the fullest.

This picture shows how she was having the best time of her life during the performance. But the reality is, at the time of clicking this picture, she was celebrating her break from singing when one of her band members, Snooky Flowers took the mic from her. We can imagine how professional photographers deceive their audiences by providing misleading information about the pictures.

JIMI HENDRIX – THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER

Jimi Hendrix was one of the most popular singers of the 1960s. In case you are not aware of him, you can judge him by his dress - he was one of the best flower children of that time. Also, his performance in a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" remained popular for over a decade.

His performance at the Woodstock was one of the most awaited performances but unfortunately, by the time he with his band, "Gypsy Sun & Rainbow", appeared to perform, half of the crowd had already left. From half a million, the crowd went down to less than 50,000. And only those people were lucky to experience Jimi Hendrix and his band's live performance at the event. It must be an enduring moment for Jimi Hendrix fans.

JOHNNY WINTER GIVES THE CROWD WHAT THEY WANT

Johnny Winters' performance was the most thrilling performance at the Woodstock event, and we can guess from the picture how he shared his energy with the crowd and made the audiences scream out of the thrill and excitement. He performed some of his best songs, which included, MeansTown Blue, Mama Talk to Your Daughter, and Tell the Truth. He gave one of his best performances at the event and we can witness just how much people enjoyed him.

Did you notice that most of the names of well-known singers at the event began with the letter J? Jerry Gracia, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and now Johnny winter, all of their names start with the letter J. Maybe letter J proves to be lucky for music artists or it might just be a coincidence.

IT CAN’T RAIN ON MY PARADE

In this picture, we can see mixed expressions of the people at the Woodstock Festival. Some are happy and excited, some are worried and tensed, some are confused, and some are expressing extreme disgust, as is evident from their expressions. We wonder what might have caused such a mixture of emotions among the attendees of the events. It might be the sudden rainfall during the event.

Rainfall is generally not admired by everyone but for some, it brings joy and happiness. Therefore, some people seem to be more excited than others, as others might be worried about getting wet or about other consequences related to rain. Woodstock Festical is considered a prestigious event in history as it used to gather people of all races for a shared cause of spreading love and harmony on earth.

GROOVY IS THE WAY TO GO

This picture is not from any mountains or hill areas, it is a picture of a part of the Woodstock Festival venue. It seems Woodstock did not only have music and dance, but it had adventure, too, for adventure-loving people. Such places can be dangerous, as they have slippery, muddy pathways which can lead to horrible accidents. Also, such dirty pathways can make people’s shoes and clothes dirty and are often not easy to walk on.

But these ladies in the picture are quite satisfied. It seems this place was comfortable and safe for them, as they do not look worried about any untoward incident. This picture surely gives us an imagination that the Woodstock event was for everyone, and for adventure-loving people, the groovy way was the most suitable choice.

PEACE, LOVE, AND FLOWER POWER

This bright smile and glow on the lady’s face make it evident that the couple is madly in love with each other and are celebrating their love at the Woodstock. The Woodstock Festival did not only allow people to freely dance, drink, enjoy the music, and carefree behaviors. But it also provided an open space for the love birds to have some romantic moments at the event.

The beauty of the Woodstock Festival was that it gathered people from all walks of life who had a shared aim to spread love. So what other place could be better than the Woodstock event for loving couples to spend their romantic time? The event provided the freedom to the people to express their love and enjoy their life to the fullest.

A HEAD-TURNING OUTFIT

This beautiful blonde lady is wearing a simple pink knitted top and pants, but it seems she loves to wear accessories as her all fingers, wrists, and neck are covered with flashy jewelry. Maybe she wanted to present herself as a personality who keeps a balance between simple and chunky things.

At the Woodstock event, everyone was free to dress up as they wanted to. However, people generally dress up according to their personality traits and accept those fashion trends in which they feel comfortable. A person dresses up according to what he wants to display about himself to the world. A lot of things such as the person's preferences, ideology, sense of maturity, and other personality traits can be concluded by judging him according to his dressing style.

JOE COCKER PLAYS INVISIBLE GUITAR

On day three of the Woodstock Festival, "The Grease Band", an English band marked the start of the festival with their crowd-pleasing numbers. After entertaining the crowd with the instrument covers of "Who Knows What Tomorrow Brings" and "40,000 Headman", Joe Cocker made an appearance with his first set.

Even though Cocker's cover of Pete Dello's "Do I Still Figure in Your Life" left the audience asking for more, his cover of "Let's Go Get Stoned" - a much popular number by "The Coasters", was enough to leave the excited crowd satisfied in a tremendous way. The audience cheered him on and sang alongside him at the top of their lungs. It was a soothing sight to witness! One cannot deny that this was the band's call to action.

A UNIQUE SUNBED

The hype of the Woodstock Festival '69 was such that an outstanding number of more than five hundred thousand people decided to attend the event. If you're a bit imaginative, you can picture the amount of traffic on the roads between the 15th and 18th of August. Many of the attendees decided to show up early to avoid the much-anticipated rush hour. However, little did they know that the number of early birds themselves was huge!

The traffic was moving at a snail's pace, so you can imagine that the temperature inside the car was not ideal. In this picture, you can see that instead of resting inside a heated car, the female driver chose to take a quick nap on the roof of her car. She must have been more at peace than the other drivers.

JOHN SEBASTIAN’S IMPROMPTU PERFORMANCE

We're sure John Sebastian needs no introduction. He has made his name familiar in the music industry and has become more recognizable as a singer. There was no slot for his performance at the Woodstock Festival. But the crowd quietened down after Santana’s set so someone had to make an appearance and engage the spectators again. This is when John Sebastian hopped on the stage.

Here’s a glimpse of him in the most colorful pants and jacket that you can imagine - and what's more, he himself had tie-dyed both of them. In the middle of his impromptu performance, he dedicated "Younger Generation" to someone from the audience who'd just become a parent. This won him huge applause from the audience and we could sense that they were all truly amazed. So are we!

MELANIE SAFKA – FIRST LADY OF WOODSTOCK

The Woodstock Festival was an amazing experience for everyone, spectators and performers alike. But for Maline Safka, it was a one-of-a-kind event to be a part of. She had performed before, but for a crowd of such a great magnitude, it was to be her first performance. And naturally, she was on her nerves about it, considering the fact that she had to be completely on her own out there.

It was raining heavily at the time of Safka’s performance that night in 1969. She chose to perform "Momma Momma", "Close to It All", and "Mr. Tambourine Man" as her solo acts. The heavy downpour increased the impact of her sweet but short performance on the crowd. This is the main reason that she earned her title of the First lady of Woodstock for the event.

COME RAIN OR SHINE

You'd think that such a heavy downpour would somewhat reduce the crowd at the Woodstock Festival, or at least lower the spirits of the people who were already participating in the event. But think again. It was more than the event was such a huge success that the rain could not help but make its appearance as well, to figure out what the hype was about.

Check out this group’s photo where they seemed to have struggled to fit underneath the very limited shelter. Rain or drizzle, hot or chilly, they did not seem to mind the weather conditions to a great extent. It also looks like they did not have much room to dance to the music playing but they did not mind as long as they would still be a part of the Woodstock Festival.

KIDS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN

You could see a lot of kids and children of younger age at the Woodstock Festival as well. This would make one wonder if the parents did not want to leave their kids to the nanny or a babysitter for an event that was to last for three to four days. Or maybe it was the fact that the grandparents were not available for a couple of days and wanted to spend quality time with each other instead.

Whatever the situation was, it did not look like the kids were forced to come to the event. In fact, they seemed to be enjoying just as much as the adults, if not more. Take a look at this picture of a little girl swaying away to the beat of the music, without having to worry about anything.

WHEN THE PARTY’S OVER

When the five hundred thousand or more people were participating at the Woodstock Festival, they had no idea that they were becoming a part of the most iconic '60s event to make its way in history. However, they did know that whatever they were becoming a part of at Max Yasgur’s farm was nothing ordinary. In fact, it felt seriously momentous.

The upsetting part about this is good things always come to an end, and so was the case with the Woodstock Festival. The participants were undoubtedly sad about the ending of the event, and their feelings could be openly read on their faces. So is the case with the young man in this picture. By his facial expressions, you can tell how uneager he is about returning home.

YOUNG, WILD, AND FREE

Human beings are a creative lot, you cannot deny that fact. This is especially true when you are having fun or partaking in activities that require some sort of physical effort. Consider building a make-do scaffolding to make yourself comfortable during the Woodstock Festival and also while you wait for things to kick off. However, you don’t have to work solo.

In the picture, the people who found themselves a place to sit on the pole do not look too at home with the seat. But the person to notice is this brave guy who is taking a flight from the platform only to land on the pile of hay. The spirit of this person resonates with the entire audience and all the people participating - happy go lucky and enjoying life to the fullest.

COLD NIGHTS AND WARM HUGS

The nights at the Woodstock Festival were of an entirely opposite setting than the day. It was chilling with strong winds blowing between the crowd. This was in stark contrast to the warm days filled with mad passion and exhilaration. There was not enough preparation done from the side of the management to create sheltered spaces or provide tents for the audience to combat the cold. Hence, most of the spectators simply chose to rest on the ground and cover themselves with blankets that they’d brought from home.

Some were lucky enough to cuddle against the warmth of their friends or family members. What better way to spend the night than be close to your partner while enjoying the most remarkable of musical performances? In this picture, you can see the young couple is experiencing just this moment.

NICK ERCOLINE AND BOBBI

It wasn’t only the musicians who found fame, all thanks to Woodstock '69. This couple in the pink would have never thought that a four-day festival would put them under the spotlight. Nor would be have imagined that they would appear on the cover of Woodstock's album.

It had been three months since Nick and Bobbi had started dating before attending Woodstock in August ’69. Bobbi was captivated by the charm, sight, smell, and sensation of Nick. However, what made the whole experience even more memorable was that she got to share it with the love of her life. The beautiful couple is still together.

JUDY AND JERRY GRIFFIN

When Judy and Griffin decided to attend Woodstock that memorable weekend, both of them had different plans for it. The plans did include having fun, enjoying music, and maybe ending up making new friends, but none of them would have thought of finding love there. Of course, life at times catches you off-guard.

On the way home, Judy’s car broke down and Jerry was happily offering her help. Having three days to themselves was enough to have a connection, one that lasts longer. Everyone loves this fantasy of happily ever after, followed by its recreated picture.

THE VIEW’S BETTER FROM THE TOP

Knowing the number of people that attended Woodstock, not everyone got the chance to see many of its performances. And when you drove hundreds of miles just to watch your favorite performances, you will not be happy going back without having a look at the stage.

These sound towers were not there to carry extra weights and with the number of people that climbed there just to get a good view of the stage, a fall was evident. You should applaud these people who had the determination of climbing to such a height, welcoming the danger only to get a good view.

A FREE RIDE TO NEW YORK CITY

Not everyone who was at Woodstock had the privilege to reach there in their own vehicle. For those who did not have any car or motorcycle to travel there, their determination and reluctance to not miss the highlight of the year remained the same which left them with the only to reach there – hitchhiking. However, getting to the compound was just the tip of the iceberg.

When the festival ended, these hitchhikers had to reach home in any way possible. This young lady found a creative way of doing so. Hope she gets a free ride to New York City.

FRINGING IT UP

Fringe clothing was a trend in the 1960s. Artists like Jimmy Hendrix owned this trend which added to its popularity. We hope you aren’t among those who think fans that copy the looks of their favorite celebrities is a habit that emerged from the current generation.

The young girl in a messy bob looks like she is having fun and we are taking a wild guess and say that her outfit was inspired by Hendrix. As she sways with the music, her long fringe and tiny beads move along the wind, which must have been quite a mesmerizing sight. Who would have thought that she gets along with the rain very well, when it came pouring down during the festival.

SAVED BY THE TENT

People are spread around the world, as far as we can see. Even though this picture shows a small part of the crowd at Woodstock, if you look closer it also narrates the story of arrangement and readiness.

We can easily identify those who attended the festival with a concrete plan and those who just went with the flow, leaving it up to fate to decide for them. However, fate couldn’t have done much when the skies decided to open up, completely changing the weather from a hot, dry day into a wet one. Some of those present there were smart enough to carry tents with them.

WOODSTOCK KID

With approximately 400,000 people who attended the festival, it did not come out as a surprise to see a diverse range of age groups at Woodstock in 1969. This child is not the only one who appeared in the pictures but is amongst many of the kids who attended the festival with their parents or caretakers.

Before going on to make conclusions as to why would any parent let their child attend an event like this, take a closer look at the girl, how much at peace she is being there – a kid wearing a purple sweater, blowing bubbles, just enjoying where she is.

A MOTORBIKE MADE FOR NAPS

You will blend into the festival and the people there like everyone else, having no relation with whether you live in a mansion or an RV, you will become like them once you get there. When given the liberty to enjoy as you wish and from being their authentic slaves, most of you will affiliate themselves with "normality".

In the present time, a person found sleeping on his motorcycle will be questioned for his sanity but at Woodstock, that did not matter at all. Since there are no vacant rooms available to make room for the attendees, you can’t blame someone for changing your bike into a bed. On the contrary, he should be applauded for his creativeness.

JIMI HENDRIX – THE GLITCHES

It did not come out as a surprise to see Jimmy Hendrix blend it with the crowd at Woodstock since he is known for his sense of style and music. Conversely, he must have inspired thousands of these people to attend the event and his performance would have cherry on top.

The expressions he give-off when playing the chords of his guitar are of complete concentration. The braided band of the instrument looks equally pretty as his pink scarf. However, at the end of his performance, the only thing people could think of is his artistic performance of Star-Spangled Banner.

TEN YEARS AFTER – I’M GOING HOME

The British blues-rock band "Ten Years After" hit the Woodstock Stage just as the day progressed towards the night on day three. However, if they thought that there will be a smooth change from the earlier performers, they had another thing coming - technical issues disrupted their performance.

However, they did not let their rain-drenched equipment destroy the show. Once they started with the cover of "I Can't Keep from Crying", the crowd erupted. When the lead singer and guitarist, Alvin Lee, announced their last song of the night, the audience was putty in their hands. Choosing to end their performance with "I'm Going Home” was a clever move.

A LESSON IN PATRIOTISM

There are various ways to make a political statement as well as express your love for your country. However, there is hardly anything shown that says "I am Devoted to My Country" while at the same time show-off the American flag. And this person knew that better than anyone else.

It is quite obvious that showcasing your love for the country wouldn't just be simply as monotonous as a shirt or jacket. And no, if he was to make a public statement, he knew he had to make it right which gave him a chance to show off his slender physique and his not-so-obvious abs. Of course, who wouldn't remember a bare-chested guy wearing low-rise pants, carrying the American flag?

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE – THE GLITCHES

Grace Slick is a famous rockstar who performed with her band "Jefferson Airplane" at the iconic Woodstock Festival. She was a professional performer to make the audience sing along with her. During the performance, she got a few electric shocks from her mic due to poor electrical fittings but kept going. She had to wait the whole Saturday night to perform on Sunday morning, and yet in the morning she was super energetic and her outfit was crisp and clean.

She, along with her folks, started their performance with their quite known song "The Other Side of Life". They managed to grip the audience’s attraction immediately, and then they performed their biggest hit "Somebody to Love", which further thrilled the whole crowd. She delivered possibly the best performance of her life.

GRATEFUL DEAD – THE GLITCHES

"The Grateful Dead", a band led by Jerry Garcia, who was a famous artist of the time, was not able to perform up to their standards at the Woodstock Festival, though they tried their best to overcome all the external shortcomings and keep audiences entertained. It was just an unfortunate day for them. Several problems cropped up, like poor setup, uncertain weather, and too many people on stage. These issues were not in their hands, they were just too unlucky not to be able to perform their best at the iconic Woodstock Festival.

We appreciate Jerry Garcia’s maturity, as rather than blaming and cursing the management of Woodstock for his ugly performance during an interview, he confidently confessed that he and his band were not able to give a satisfactory performance that Saturday night.

BOB DYLAN & THE BAND

Bob Dylan was the most promoted and highlighted artist during the Woodstock promotional campaigns. As the advertisements spread, people started impatiently waiting to attend New York’s most famous citizen's performance. Unfortunately, due to a bad motorcycle accident, Bob Dylan got injured, because of which he was unable to perform at Woodstock. This news disheartened all of his fans as they were extremely desperate to attend his live performance.

However, his former band, "The Band", appeared and performed at Woodstock. Though people were disappointed because of Bob Dylan's absence, they still gave a warm welcome to "The Band". But strangely, The Band not only denied their well-received performance, but they also completely refused any association with the festival. This mystery is still unsolved.

SHA NA NA – GET A JOB

Sha Na Na was a musical group that was hardly known by anybody before Woodstock. The band was formed by a group of young students from Columbia University. They were unique from all the other bands of the time, as they used to appear in very casual outfits, and though it was the 1960s, they used to perform the parodies of hit 1950s songs. According to them, they aimed to give tribute to the iconic singers and music writers of 1950 by making their songs heard again after a decade.

No matter what, Woodstock provided them with a great opportunity to represent themselves to the masses, and the band took full advantage of the event. They became very popular after that. Their performance was highly applauded and appreciated by the massive crowd.

WHAT’S ON JOE COCKER’S MIND

When the majority of the crowd was sleepy and dozed under the spell of drugs and alcohol, which were freely flowing among the crowd, Joe Cocker’s thrilling performance woke them all up. He performed one of his best songs "Let’s Go Get Stoned", which not only boosted the energy in the drowsy crowd but also made all hippies scream and dance once again. Joe Cocker was undoubtedly a fine rockstar of the time, who was capable enough to cheer up the crowd through his performance.

We are unable to judge exactly why there is an incredulous look on Joe Cocker’s face, and what was running through his mind at that moment, maybe he was worried, planning about how to thrill the heavy-eyed audience at the Woodstock because his performance brought lethargic audiences back to life.

LESLIE WEST AND THE MOUNTAIN

Unlike most of the famous music bands of the time, such as "The Band" or famous musical maestros like Joe Cocker and Jimi Hendrix, "The Mountain", a musical band formed by Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, and Steve Knight, was not very famous. The Mountain’s lead musicians named their band after West’s solo album "Mountain". The band was super-excited to perform at Woodstock, as they had already performed live at three events on the West Coast and through Woodstock, they wanted to present themselves on the East Coast.

Just like Sha Na Na and many other less familiar brands, Woodstock provided a great space for "The Mountain", to make them acknowledged to the masses. And fortunately, their rocking performance got hit at the event and satisfied the crowd. We can see how happy the singer was while performing.

BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS – MORE AND MORE

Another most-anticipated group "Blood, Sweat & Tears" performed at Woodstock, but just like Jerry Gracia, they also became the prey of poor setup. They faced the issue of poor horn section intonation throughout the performance. The management claimed the problem occurred due to excessive humidity in the air.

Blood, Sweat, and Tears, were highly encouraged by the audience, and they started with their most famous song "More and More". To further cheer up the people that morning, they performed Randy Newman’s "Just One Smile". They performed on the third day of Woodstock, which proved to be a very tragic day for them. Despite facing the problems, they managed to deliver a memorable performance. But they were very disappointed with the way things were arranged and denied participating in the future Woodstock documentary and album.

TIM HARDIN – HOW CAN WE HANG ON TO A DREAM?

Why did Tim Hardin close his eyes during the performance? Tim Hardin was one of the highly talented and respected individual musicians of the time. Just like everyone else has some shortcomings, his shortcomings were extreme stage fright and substance abuse issues. His weaknesses were against his gifted ability. An artist has to be confident enough to make eye contact with millions of his fans and can firmly perform on the stage, but Tim Hardin had serious issues.

Reportedly, he used to take a supportive substance to boost his confidence. He performed on the first day of Woodstock, but he took an excessive dose of that substance that day, because of which he missed his lyrics and vocals and even slurred while singing "How Can We Hang On To a Dream?"

LOVE HAS NO BOUNDARIES

Woodstock is considered an iconic event because it gathered people across gender, color, and religious boundaries. The event happened when America was on the verge of war. This event aimed to spread love and harmony, not war. It provided a carefree atmosphere for everyone so all individuals could express themselves and the differences among them get eliminated.

Woodstock catered to all kinds of people. There was music, merrymaking, a groovy way for adventure, and we believe there was a place for nature lovers too, as people could calmly observe nature and feel its beauty. This couple in simple outfits seems to be close to nature, and amidst the loud music and massive crowds at Woodstock, they chose to peacefully enjoy nature and spend some romantic moments with each other.

MOUNTAIN – SOUTHBOUND TRAIN

This image shows how hyper "The Mountain" singer was. Though the band was not much famous before, with their first performance by playing "Blood Of the Sun", they surprised the massive crowd and received tremendous applause. They further thrilled the crowd by performing T-bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday’.

The Mountain folks wanted to end their performance with "Dreams of Milk and Honey", but because of the enthusiastic response from the audience and their request, the band was forced to give some more time to the attendees and amazed everyone with their final performance on "The Southbound Train", people were still not willing to let them go. We can imagine how powerful the event was, which made an unfamiliar band the most desired musical band among Woodstock's mass, in just a few moments.

Look Matters

The lady in black is looking gorgeous without a doubt. However, as far as Woodstock is concerned, you will rarely see such a conservative outfit. She hasn’t put on those colorful scarves and knit tops, nor can we notice the fringes. But she has teamed up her boot-cut jeans with chunky jewelry and that certainly does make a statement. You will come across many people who exude a commanding aura.

Irrespective of whatever they have on their bodies, they certainly mean business and look super confident. She is a girl from the 60s decade and is one of those people who are not afraid to experiment with their looks but can carry it off with elan. The festival certainly becomes special because of such attendees. Plus, she is a cutie. That adds more to her x-factor.

Folk Royalty

When you talk about folk royalty, you simply can’t leave out the likes of Joan Baez. The Woodstock music festival has always been graced by them. Joan climbed on the stage to close day 1 of Woodstock and when she did, the crowd was enthralled since they knew what was coming up. It was a Sunday morning and Baez kept playing for more than an hour giving the audience a memorable time.

Initially, she was performing alone. Later on, she was joined on stage by Jeffrey Shurtleff and Richard Festinger. Together, they played the cover of the popular number, I Shall Be Released. Joan didn’t forget to inform the crowd about the background of every number between her renditions. She signed off with the number, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. It was just perfect. Her performance was lapped up by everyone present there.

Time to Make a Name

Woodstock was graced with amazing talents. While some of them had already become notable singers before the event, there were musical groups that were newly formed and these groups wanted to utilize this platform to gain a foothold and thereby, make a name for themselves. For Nash & Young, Stills, Crosby, and others, this was a moment they needed to grab and catch the crowd’s fancy.

A new band is always shaky before their first performance and therefore, they were all nervous when they went up on the stage. The crowd was not the reason why they were so. The fact that they were surrounded by renowned musicians was playing on their minds. They had no idea that they would be received so well before their performances. Otherwise, they would have gotten rid of their nervousness well before time. They had the crowd swaying to their tunes.

Sly Stone’s Magic

Sly Stone gave himself the 60s and ’60s look and made it more authentic by adding those huge glasses and the chunky choker. The aim was to have an impact on the audience with his extraordinary look. However, his rendition of I Wants to Take You Higher was so passionate that the crowd simply got drowned in his music and kind of overlooked his unique style. The crowd screaming Higher in its response to Stone’s call was a sight to behold.

The singer was like weaving magic around them. More songs from Sly & The Family Stone followed, including Dance To The Music, Everyday People, and You Can Make It If You Try. The crowd had one of the best moments of their lives. They screamed for a repeat and Sly had to oblige. Day 2 of Woodstock ‘69 had such a fabulous beginning.

Sweetwater - Eccentricity Redefined

Eccentric is the term that can be used to describe Sweetwater, the music band. The word unusual defined the 60s decade and Sweetwater was more than unusual as compared to its contemporaries. As a result, they always stood out among the crowd. No one in the band played the guitar. However, members were playing the flute, a keyboard, drums, a cello, and a conga, and that created magic.

Aside from that, Sweetwater was hailed as the pioneer as far as jazz fusion is concerned. The term was attached to their way before it was coined. They were damn good and that’s why they were given the responsibility to open day one at Woodstock ‘69. But as luck would have it, they were stuck in traffic and thus, missed their opportunity. But, a chopper brought them to the event and they could eventually perform.

Canned Heat Rocked It

The group’s extended rendition of the number, Fried Hockey Boogie, was one of the best things that the crowd heard at Woodstock ‘69. The group received the loudest ovations from the audience during the festival probably in its history. Neither the name of the band nor the title of the song would make much sense if you are not a music aficionado. But the people assembled at the festival enjoyed every moment of the rendition that night.

Even after the fabulous performance, the crowd was asking for more as they didn’t have enough of what was delivered. Canned Heat had to give in to the requests and they gave a fantastic rendition of On The Road Again. The band made it a night to remember when Alan Wilson and Harvey Mandel added intense guitar solos to their rendition. All in all, the audience was super satisfied.

Jefferson Airplane and Psychedelic Rock

Jefferson Airplane started its journey as a folk-rock project. However, after they experimented with rock and roll and folk, the group came up with an altogether new sound, that you guys today know as psychedelic rock. When you introduce a unique style of music, it is bound to catch the fancy of the music lovers. Added to that, defiance along with an independent political view would help you get your act perfectly at Woodstock.

So, performing at 7 AM on Sunday would hardly bother you. Jefferson Airplane took everything within their stride and was least bothered about the timing. Their job was to come up with maniac music and they did it in style. All their acts received praise from the crowd. The group’s priority was to keep the crowd glued to them and that’s what exactly happened.

Facing the Rain

The sudden downpour at Woodstock could not dampen the spirits of the crowd. They were least bothered about the rain. However, the performing bands did have a tough time coping with it. Giving an out-of-the-world performance became an uphill task, more so because of the technical glitches as well as the damaged equipment.

The sound equipment faced issues and as a result, the Grateful Dead had to wait for hours before they got the chance to go on stage. While they were performing, they also had to cope with limited lighting. However, the picture here doesn’t reveal one bit of how the group worked hard to pull off their act that went for an hour and a half. Kudos to them for pulling off such a majestic act. No one would ever guess that they were having an off night.

The Downfall of Creedence Clearwater Revival

The band decided not to have their performances recorded for the Woodstock film in 1970. This decision later proved to be sort of a disaster for them and instrumental in their downfall. In the history of the Woodstock film festival, Creedence Clearwater Revival nearly faded into oblivion. Not many remember that they even performed at Woodstock.

Their act went on for around an hour. During their time on stage, they delivered some popular numbers such as Proud Mary, Green River, and Bad Moon Rising. The crowd had a great time savoring their music. There isn’t an iota of doubt that the band was one of the most popular ones on the chart during that period. They didn’t receive what they had expected. Possibly, things would have been different if they would have gone ahead and included their recorded performances in the film. It’s really unfortunate.

Richie Havens Keeps the Audience Glued

The other acts at Woodstock were running late and someone had to keep the audience glued so that they didn't run out of patience. Richie Havens stepped in and spent three hours on the stage, enthralling the crowd. Though not many did know who Havens was before his performance, he made sure that people came to know him properly after he was done with his act.

Engaging the audience for such a long time is no easy job, but he pulled it off and earned appreciation from everyone. His performance paved the way for the Isle of Wright festival that was scheduled to be held two weeks later. After he ended his three-hour act, he slowly left the stage strumming his guitar. That was truly an example of a legend. He had that energy even after performing for so long.

Carlos Santana and His Surreal Guitar Skills

For music fanatics, Carlos Santana doesn’t need any introduction. The Grammy Award winner is known for his exemplary guitar skills and is a legend. This fact has always played in the crowd’s mind and therefore, his hallucination while performing at Woodstock was amusing. With that being said, the picture here doesn’t reveal what he was going through since it seems as if he is lost in his music.

Many of you would know that Satana was the pioneer of a psychedelic jam band that was named after the icon himself. As the fact goes, the band was not very popular when it participated in the festival. However, their rendition of Soul Sacrifice for around 100 minutes set the ball rolling for them. Their performance not only impressed everyone presents at the venue but had a permanent impression on their minds.

Good Music Has Got Nothing to Do With a Name

Country Joe & The Fish? You might be thinking what kind of a name is that? If you want to know how the band got its name, we are sorry we won’t be able to help you with that. But why should it matter as long as the band delivers some great music? The group was scheduled to perform on day three but the initial period was somewhat rough for them.

They were about to go on stage after Joe Cocker ended his performance. But unfortunately, the rain gate-crashed the party. Three hours went by before Country Joe & The Fish was able to start their act. When they finally did, they had the crowd swinging to their music. They rendered one song after another, including Silver and Gold, The Love Machine, and Love. All were crowd favorites and it is needless to say that they walked straight into the hearts of the audience.

Shankar Spun Magic at Woodstock

That Ravi Shankar popularized the sitar throughout the world requires no second mention! The Indian legend was a force to reckon with, in almost every country he visited. At Woodstock, his star status was catapulted by several notches. No longer was he limited to his Indian roots but became an international superstar almost overnight. This picture takes one down the memory lane when Ravi Shankar was accompanied by two great maestros- Alla Rakha Khan on tabla, and Maya Kulkarni with the tamboura. Together, they lit the stage on fire!

The show continued for close to 42 minutes when the trio sat in a cross-legged manner on the carpet. But not everything was great about the weather. It was raining and Shankar was quite happy doing his work in such conditions too. The performance lived up to the expectations of everyone and was soon released as a live album the next year.

Rain No Dampener for Guthrie

Guess most talented musicians are so high on their energy levels while performing that even the crowd pays little attention to the weather conditions prevailing around! Arlo Guthrie resumed his music exactly when the rain stopped. And much to his surprise, people were flocking even till midnight. Their interest and excitement stood intact. Wooden Guthrie, the legendary folk musician is perhaps known to most music aficionados. Arlo is his son. Though his mother was equally well known, and he stayed drenched in creatives for the most part- all of which explains where and how he became a sensation.

However, his experience at the festival he attended was a tad weird. And that's not surprising, especially after he failed to deliver a knockout performance. He closed off with the 'Amazing Grace' rendition, which wasn't meted with a lot of positive responses, simply because his vocals weren't in the best condition. Not every day is a great one, right?

In a Bad Mood

'The Who' belted out some of the most well-known numbers of all time, which eventually became chart-toppers. But just like any commoner, the band also underwent difficult times. For a certain performance of theirs, the team had to wait for more than 12 hours! Naturally, the mood went for a toss.

What was disturbing was how the 'rotten' mood created some backstage disasters. And they were uncalled for. Just when they got started, Pete Townsend kicked off the camera crew from the stage… oops! Thankfully, the angry spell continued for a brief period only. We truly marvel at the professionalism they displayed while delivering one of their career-best performances. An incredible event that it was, the violent activities made no news for the second day. Rather, crooning the famous anthem of 1965, 'The Generation' produced headlines for the next day.