Truth is, I didn't think the fires -- which became synonymous with Woodstock '99 after CNN burned images of them into everyone's memory -- were that big a deal.
I had seen bonfires at outdoor concerts going back to the first Lollapalooza in 1991. They also must have been commonplace for fest-closers the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who cheekily lit into Jimi Hendrix's "Fire" while Rome, N.Y., burned.
In hindsight, sure, the fires got out of hand and made a poetic ending to an event plagued by logistical problems, from the overflowing portojohns to the overcharging concession stands. I still think $4 is too much for bottled water 10 years later. I also still cringe over the god-awful festival site -- an all-concrete Air Force base that had been a hazardous-waste site.
But I also still believe Woodstock '99 got a bum rap.
The thing I remember most was being blown away many, many times by the performers. It had by far the best and wildest George Clinton & P-Funk set I've ever seen. It was the only time I'd seen James Brown. The Rage Against the Machine and Metallica sets weren't among my all-time favorites, but the sight of 200,000 people banging their heads in unison is one I'll take to the grave.
Metal bands like Metallica, Korn and especially Limp ("Break Stuff") Bizkit became emblematic of Woodstock '99, but the music was actually all over the map and often more beautiful. I remember Willie Nelson playing gospel songs on Sunday morning. I remember Los Lobos kicking up a giant cumbia/dance party led by Wavy Gravy. I remember a sea of Canadian flags waving during the Tragically Hip.
It was easy to enjoy all the acts because the production value was top-notch, with powerful sound systems and Jumbotrons you could see a half-mile back. They sure could've used that in 1969, although I bet those folks who took the brown acid were seeing things very Jumbotron-like.
Woodstock '99 also had airplane hangars. Man, those were cool. They came alive late at night during bombastic rave sets by the Chemical Brothers, Moby and Fatboy Slim.
