Michael Lang, one of the founders of the Woodstock Festival, dies aged 77

One of the founding members of the legendary Woodstock Festival, Michael Lang, has died at the age of 77. Lang founded the festival along with John P. Roberts, Joel Rosenman and Artie Kornfeld.

Lang died on 8th of January in hospital in New York. Lang died of a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Lang’s death was confirmed by his close and long-time friend Michael Pagnotta on social media.

Woodstock was advertised with the slogan “three days of peace and music”. The festival attracted around 500 000 people – most of them free attenders – and became a generational experience that is now considered the pinnacle of the hippie movement and the 1960s as a whole.

Lang was involved in planning the Woodstock 50 event for 2019, but due to funding problems the plan had to be put on hold.

We are very sad to hear that legendary Woodstock icon and long time family friend Michael Lang has passed at 77 after a brief illness. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/wTVNoZ353r

— MichaelPagnotta (@reachmp) January 9, 2022