This summer, hippies, rock stars, and baby boomers across the nation celebrated Woodstock’s 50th anniversary. The year 2019 marks the half-century of one of the greatest musical festivals and cultural landmarks in U.S. history, and after all of this time, rock and roll continues to play an essential role in American culture. 

From its cinemas to its closets, modern society has re-embraced the past with much alacrity and enthusiasm. Throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, American teens rejected their parents’ love for rock and roll, condemning it to the older, outdated generation. 

Now, decades later, the rock and roll culture in its entirety has made a comeback among teenagers, aided by big-time film production companies such as 20th Century Fox, Paramount, Universal, and Warner Bros, which have created a flood of rock-legend movie tributes. Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, Yesterday, and Blinded by the Light are among those that have celebrated musical icons such as Queen, Elton John, The Beatles, and Bruce Springsteen respectively.

Queen, arguably one of the greatest bands of all time, reclaimed stages everywhere– after lead singer Freddy Mercury’s death with its world tour in 2014. The band was accompanied by former American Idol contestant and world-famous performer, Adam Lambert, who filled Mercury’s spot in the group. Thus began the resurgence of Queen in modern music, accompanied by the award-winning biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. In 2018, 48 years after the band’s debut, Queen landed number six on the Billboard Top 10 Rock Artists. The band is currently on its second world tour.

Judith Kappel attended Woodstock during her junior year of college and will never forget the incredible experience she had there. “The experience started from the second we got out of our car and walked across the field. It was just beautiful. The music was incredible. I remember the first night we got our spot and the sky was pitch black with the brightest stars, energy coming from everyone around you. It was electric and peaceful, very freeing. Truly a once in a lifetime experience. Back in the day, there was a very strong division between people that were for and against the Vietnam War. People were very into a free flowing life, wanting to experience new things, socially, sexually, and politically. Coming to Woodstock was like a huge group of people that were just like you: open, giving, loving, feminist. I remember thinking, ‘We really are a force!’”

Chorus Teacher Barry Wyner reflects on the evolution of music in the years since Woodstock: “I think rock has changed since Woodstock in that it used to be anti-establishment, and now it IS the establishment. It was originally a rebellion against the squeaky clean music of the ‘40s and ’50s, and also the younger generation rebelling against their elders for sending them to Vietnam. Modern rock bands like Maroon 5, Imagine Dragons, and Fall Out Boy are great, but not as edgy as the acts from Woodstock like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, or even later bands like Nirvana. But even now, I think rock is still linked to young people and reflects their energy and experiences.”

Odds are, if one goes into any clothing store or fashion website today, he/she will see at least one ‘70s or ‘80s-inspired pieces. According to fashion expert, business woman, and Lynbrook resident Rene Shapiro, flare jeans, midi skirts, and wrap dresses from the ‘70s, as well as tie dye, high waisted jeans, and neon from the ‘80s have come back into style in 2019. “It all comes back but with a modern twist,” states Shapiro. 

In response to the effect of music on fashion, Shapiro says, “Music drives trends from street-wear, to the urban market, to the suburban market; it’s a trickle-up effect. Wearing band tees today is not the same as in the ‘70s or ‘80s. Back then, you knew the band. Today, they became a trend because celebrities are wearing them, and they give a nostalgic feeling in a time when the world needs it. Music brings people together, and a band tee can be worn by a 12 year old, a 50 year old, a man, a woman, anyone! It really unites people in a time where the world is so divided.”

The rock era has touched far greater than just the music industry. It has created an entirely unique culture that originated with the sole purpose of unity, bringing people of all different backgrounds together through possibly their single commonality: a love of rock and roll. Fifty years later, and the world, arguably, could not be more divided. Thankfully, we can put some faith in music to bring it back together once again.