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Michael Lang, the co-creator and organizer ofWoodstock, has died following a battle with cancer, according to a family spokesperson. He was 77.
In addition to the original Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969, Lang helped create and organize follow-up events Woodstock ‘94 and Woodstock ‘99.
Lang also attempted to holdWoodstock 50in 2019 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first festival, but plans for the event did not come to fruition.
Lang grew up in Brooklyn, according toVariety, and briefly attended New York University before dropping out in 1967, perDeadline. He then ventured to Miami, where he cultivated his career as a concert promoter.
Among the first festivals Lang helped organize was the 1968 Miami Pop Festival, which featured major artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, and John Lee Hooker.
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The late concert promoter did the same with Woodstock ‘94, which was held to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first Woodstock event, and the more controversial Woodstock ‘99.
In 2019, Lang planned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original Woodstock festival with a similar event featuring modern artists likeMiley Cyrus,JAY-Z, The Killers,The Black Keys, andChance the Rapper, in addition to classic Woodstock artists such as Santana and Grateful Dead offshoot Dead & Company, featuringJohn Mayer.
The event was ultimately canceled. Lang later accused Dentsu Aegis Network, which had financially backed Woodstock 50, of swiping around $17 million from the festival’s bank account after the company pulled its support the month prior.
source: people.com
