Jimi Hendrix's national anthem reflects the beauty and chaos of the '60s at Woodstock on this day in 1969 [Videos]

It has been over half a century since Woodstock Music and Art Fair took place in August 1969 on Max Yasgur's 600-acre farm in the town of Bethel, New York. Woodstock is now considered a legendary event in American history for a number of reasons. Over 186,000 tickets were sold, although the event was ultimately free, as hundreds of thousands of music fans overran the grounds, rendering the fences and ticket barriers virtually useless by the end of the first day.

Due to a series of production delays that would make countless headlines in 2023 for all the wrong reasons, not to mention the relentlessly bad weather, the third “day” of the planned program lasted over 24 hours, with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, The WHO, Joe Cocker, The band, Johnny Winterand several other future legends graced the stage. The most famous performance of the weekend, however, did not take place until the final, unplanned fourth day of the festival on August 18th. On this day in 1969 Jimi Hendrix ended Woodstock with perhaps the most famous performance in the history of rock 'n' roll.

Relive Joe Cocker's legendary performance at Woodstock on this day in 1969 [Video]

Hendrix finally took the stage around 9 a.m. on Monday morning and played for over two hours for the fewer than 30,000 fans who were still in attendance. In his now-famous performance, the guitarist played his most famous solo with an instrumental version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” expressing the atmosphere of beauty and love amidst anger and aggression that characterized this culturally turbulent era.

Fans can hear the Air Force dive bombers risking their lives for the country in Vietnam through Jimi's whammy bar dives, feel the grief of American mothers and fathers in the fragments of the military funeral anthem “Taps” he added toward the end of the song, and the chaos of the nation in the atonal distortion. Additionally, fans can hear the hope of the '60s youth movement shining through as Hendrix hits the final notes of the anthem with optimistic determination.

We celebrate Woodstock's anniversary with the 15 best performances

Watch this early morning moment in the video, as well as his Woodstock rendition of “Purple Haze” and a trailer for Jimi Hendrix: Live in Woodstockthe officially released concert film of Jimi's Woodstock performance below:

Jimi Hendrix – “The Star-Spangled Banner” – 8/18/69

Jimi Hendrix – “Purple Haze” – 8/18/69

Jimi Hendrix: Live in Woodstock Trailer:

Jimi Hendrix – Woodstock Music & Art Fair – Bethel, NY – 8/18/69 (partial audio)

Setlist: Jimi Hendrix | Woodstock Music & Art Fair | Bethel, NY | 08/18/69

Set: Message to Love, Hear My Train a-Comin', Spanish Castle Magic, Red House, Mastermind, Lover Man, Foxy Lady, Jam Back at the House, Izabella, Gypsy Woman > Aware of Love, Fire, Voodoo Child (Slight Return ) > Stepping Stone, The Star-Spangled Banner, Purple Haze, Hey Joe

[Originally published 8/17/17]