Signed Contract Between Woodstock Ventures, Inc., and Are You Experienced, Ltd., for the Performance of the Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Aquarian Exposition, Wallkill, NY, on August 17, 1969

Signed on July 17, 1969, this contract is between Are You Experienced, Ltd. and Woodstock Ventures, Inc. for Jimi Hendrix’s performance at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. According to this contract, $18,000 was paid by Woodstock Ventures, Inc. to Are You Experienced, Ltd. for Hendrix’s performance at the event, including a $9,000 signing deposit. The Experience had broken up weeks prior to the date this contract was finalized. In order to fulfill the conditions, Hendrix organized a new band called Gypsy Sun and Rainbows for his Woodstock performance. The band members included Hendrix, Mitch Mitchell on drums, Jerry Velez and Juma Sultan on percussion, Billy Cox on bass, and Larry Lee on guitar. Unfortunately, delays caused by stormy weather, traffic jams, and technical difficulties prevented Hendrix from performing until the morning of Monday, August 18, the day after the festival was officially over. 

The festival was originally planned for Wallkill, New York, (the location referenced on the contract), but after Wallkill residents objected to having such an event in their community, the festival site was moved to a farm in Bethel, NY. The festival took place from August 15 – 18, 1969 and drew more than 400,000 people. 

Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter who gained mainstream prominence in the late 1960s with hits such as “Hey Joe,” “Purple Haze,” “All Along the Watchtower,” and “Fire,” and is now celebrated as one of the most influential electric guitarists of all time.