Rare Jimi Hendrix Woodstock Footage Revealed in A Second Look Film
Albert Goodman, a 22-year-old drama student at the time, sneaked onto the stage at the 1969 Woodstock festival in Bethel, New York, and captured Jimi Hendrix’s legendary closing performance from a mere 15 feet away. According to Rolling Stone, Goodman utilized two open-reel videotapes and a hulking camera to document the historic set while standing behind percussionist Juma Sultan, shielded by a friend carrying a guitar. To celebrate the 57th Anniversary of Woodstock, this rare footage is set to premiere on Tuesday, Aug. 18, during a YouTube livestream at 9 p.m. ET in a new film titled Jimi Hendrix: Live at Woodstock — A Second Look.
Inside the 1969 Stage Infiltration
Rolling Stone reports that Goodman was assumed to be part of the sprawling film crew that surrounded the entire event. Carrying his equipment directly onto the platform, he positioned himself right behind percussionist Juma Sultan.
Because Hendrix’s performance was delayed, he was the festival’s final act. By that time, many fans had already left the upstate New York festival. Consequently, footage from his iconic set is rare, making Goodman’s recovered open-reel videotapes a welcome part of history.
Rare Setlist Highlights and Gypsy Sun and Rainbows
The newly unveiled footage provides fresh visual perspectives on classic Hendrix arrangements. According to Rolling Stone, the project captures interpretations of “Purple Haze” and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” alongside the guitarist’s searing interpretation of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Furthermore, the film features the only available footage of Hendrix performing “Hear My Train a Comin’” and includes a performance of “Message to Love.”
Band of Gypsys. The ensemble lineup included Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell, bassist Billy Cox, guitarist Larry Lee, and percussionists Juma Sultan and Jerry Velez.
From Hitchhiking to the Hendrix Household
The journey of the videotapes from an unedited student project to official family archives spans three decades of storage. Rolling Stone notes that in the days following the festival, Goodman was hitchhiking when a driver stopped to give him a lift. During the ride, the two discussed Woodstock. Struck by the coincidence, the driver revealed he was friends with individuals working at the house Hendrix was renting in the area.
This chance highway encounter directly led to an arrangement where Goodman screened his footage for Hendrix himself. According to the reporting, the musician thanked the young videographer for capturing the set. Goodman subsequently stored the tapes for the next three decades before finally making them available to the Hendrix family.