(EDITOR'S NOTE: The 40th anniversary of Woodstock was significant for millions of people – but perhaps none moreso than Michael and Sam Shrieve. As the great young drummer for Santana, Michael's solo on "Soul Sacrifice," edited for film by a young Martin Scorsese (which Michael only learned earlier in 2010), became the most-watched drum solo in history, thanks to the Woodstock movie that immortalized the festival and its performers. Forty years later, in May 2009, Sam Shrieve released his debut CD, Bittersweet Lullabies. When the Woodstock anniversary came around, Sam Shrieve was almost exactly the same age (20) as his father when the latter made musical history. Sometimes, great literature appears through letters. So does great love and admiration. To preserve the intimacy and spirit of these letters, we run them verbatim. It also leads to Sam Shrieve's lyrics to two of his songs from Bittersweet Lullabies.)

           

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Woodstock

            Today is a special day. Forty years ago, the legendary music festival Woodstock took place. It is well known that I have an especially personal bond with this event due to the fact that it runs in my blood. Perhaps it's because of the massive press that has been surrounding the anniversary as of late, or perhaps the fact that I am now, the exact same age my father was when he performed at Woodstock (give or take 100 days). Whatever it may be, I can't help but notice intense similarities, be it the desire for change or the restlessness of my youth, between us.

            The predicament in which every musical artist finds themselves is simple, and is as follows: as a musician, you want to reach as many people as you can. However, as an artist, you want to impact culture as deeply as possible. People have said time and time again that these two are simply not destined to go hand in hand. Others state that it has been done, by bands like The Beatles and Rolling Stones, along with solo acts such as Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. These people left their mark in the record books and changed both the world of music and the society we live in to be what it is today...for better or for worse.

            That being said, Woodstock was different, it was something rare and special, something the likes of which had yet to be seen. It was 1969, and fire and brimstone seemed to plague the Earth. The previous year, political, and some would even say spiritual, leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy had been assassinated. The Vietnam War had sparked outrage with the young people and created a constant sense of fear and anguish among them. But it was within these three days, that this generation, as it has been so eloquently put, "got to do things their way." It was here and now, that 500,000 people were in the audience, and in the midst of the most culturally significant moment in their generation's history, a perfect union.

            My father performed on the second day of peace and music, making his mark in what has now become one of the most historic gatherings of people on record. Though at the time they had no idea, everyone from the performers, to the attendees, and even the farmers were playing a part in what would become one of the most culturally significant moments in our nation's history. Be it a stroke of luck, or the broad brushstroke of fate itself, a virtually unknown band out of the Bay Area named "Santana" played in front of a crowd that had grown to be half-a-million strong. My father among them, armed with little experience of "rock stardom", and a small jazz drum kit he had recently purchased, gave what has now become known as one of the greatest drum solos in music history. He was the youngest performer at the festival, and in truth, looked more like one of the kids in the audience than a rock star. It may be that very reason that people watched him with this drooling look of burning desire, all wondering how he made the leap and jumped the fence between the watchers and the performers.

            I have been told time and time again how people have been moved emotionally, to the point of tears by the solo he performed, and how to this day, they've yet been able to see anyone top it. It's always after this that they pull me aside and tell me that I should know just how lucky I am to have him as my father, my friend, and my mentor. Once again, they are right.

 

Your Son,

Sam

*     *     *

 

Sam,

            It's so beautiful for you to share your view of this and for me to be able to experience it through your eyes, your thoughts, and the wisdom beyond your years. Now that you are basically the same age as I was when I experienced Woodstock, I can only imagine that it holds more meaning for you than it ever has before. And who would have known that 40 years later that it hold such deep meaning for so many people.

            In all honesty, it has been a real surprise for me. But the most amazing thing for me after all these years, is exactly that. I suppose everyone that was there has a story that they've told a million times by now, but I haven't heard them, and that seems to be what I'm enjoying the most on this round. That, and reading Michael Lang's book, and others as well, about what went on behind the scenes of Woodstock. Now THAT is an amazing story! Having performed there, and being in the film, has changed my life forever, of course. But I've always looked at it from my own small point of view, and now hearing the stories of the people that made it happen, and the people that were in the audience holds a special meaning and adds a whole new dimension to my experience of it. And still, the responses and notes that I'm receiving from people all over the world in regards to my solo on "Soul Sacrifice" and what it means or meant to them are just amazing and gratifying to say the least, but also very humbling.

            You very much know me as a person and a musician that does not live in the past. I try to always move forward and explore new music and sounds and musical situations, and it's been the great joy in my life to have been able to do this together with you as well.

            And now, when I play YOUR music for people and friends and they are so moved by your songs and your voice, that's when they pull me aside and tell me that I should know just how lucky I am to have you as my son, and how lucky and blessed we are to be able to share this love of music together as father and son. And I smile and tell them, "Thank you, yes, you are absolutely right"

            But you see, I do know this already, and I am constantly grateful for all the things we share, and all beautiful things you are and that you are unfolding into and becoming.

            And I just want to say, Thank you Sam.

 

I love you,

Dad

 

SAM SHRIEVE

 

I’m Gonna Be Alright
 

 

 

Tales From Dreams Incarnate