No Need to Go to Woodstock to Write a Book

In July of 1969, Pete Fornatale was a young disc jockey working at WNEW-FM in New York when he read his first live commercial–promoting the Woodstock Music and Art Fair.

But that job at one of the all-time great rock stations did not lead to three days of peace, love and music for Fornatale. In fact, it meant quite the opposite.

“I was new to the station so three weeks later, when the festival happened, I was going up with some of the other disc jockeys and my program director said, ‘You know, we’re going to need somebody back here to do fill-in work and news reports, you’re elected,’” Fornatale said. “And when you’re the new kid on the block you don’t have that much bargaining power, so I literally spent that weekend shuttling news reports back and forth from the WNEW-AM newsroom to the WNEW-FM studio.

“And as the story got bigger and more exciting, I said to myself, Anytime I sit down with someone who was there–backstage, onstage or in the audience–I was going to get them to tell their story.”

Those stories eventually became a book, “Back to the Garden: The Story of Woodstock” published in 2009 for the festival’s 40th anniversary. On Aug. 18, Fornatale will share stories and insights during a program he will host about Woodstock at the .

The program is tied to the museum’s “Jersey Rocks: A History of Rock & Roll in the Garden State”exhibit, which explores the music’s history in New Jersey. 

Fornatale worked at WNEW during its heyday of the 1970s and also hosted shows on WXRK and on XM Satellite Radio. He can be heard on Fordham’s WFUV, where he was a disc jockey as a college student. Through all of the changes in the radio industry, he has managed to host shows where he plays the music he wants to play, as opposed to playing what a computer says he should.

Fountain of Woodstock Knowledge

During an interview he casually mentions facts about the festival such as, Richie Havens wasn’t supposed to open the concert, he was scheduled to go on fifth. But Sweetwater, the band that was supposed to go on first, was stuck on the New York Thruway and couldn’t get to Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel, NY, where the concert was held.

“There was a mad scramble for someone to do it and Richie got elected, and now he and that performance have become so symbolic of that event,” Fornatale said.

Other facts Fornatale casually brings up during the interview are that Havens improvised his legendary performance of “Freedom” and that the festival was supposed to end on Aug. 17 but continued into the morning of Aug. 18, ending with Jimi Hendrix playing between 8 and 10 a.m. Fornatale’s talk at the Museum will take place on the 42nd  anniversary of the festival’s last day.

Woodstock took place Aug. 15 to 18, 1969. A few weeks earlier, on Aug. 1 through 3, the Atlantic City Pop Festival included many acts who would appear at Woodstock, including Santana, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joe Cocker and Janis Joplin. That concert, he said, drew about 75,000 people, which is what Woodstock’s organizers expected for their concert. Instead, an estimated 450,000 to 500,000 people showed up.

“The book and the show try to explore the reasons why it just was bigger than anyone’s expectations,” Fornatale said. “And of course, preserved in the movie, which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1970, those performances in the film have become stenciled on our consciousness, whether it’s Alvin Lee and Ten Years After or Santana doing “Soul Sacrifice” or Richie Havens with “Freedom,” which he made up on the stage at the show. I think that’s what made Woodstock Nation an international reality.”

Fornatale said the book was the idea of his son, Peter Thomas Fornatale, who works in publishing. They had previously worked on a book about Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bookends” album.

They had such a good time working together, Fornatale said, that son came to father with another book idea, about the 40th anniversary of Woodstock.

“I said, ‘Woodstock! I’ve got half the book done already,’” Fornatale said.

That was because of all those interviews he had done over the years, not only with performers, but with people who worked backstage or were in the audience. Work on the book involved preserving reel-to-reel tapes the interviews were recorded on, transferring them to digital, transcribing interviews and putting them into book form. 

“And I thought once the 40th anniversary was over, that it would just fall off the table,” Fornatale said. “But what I’ve learned is that Woodstock at this point is such a cultural landmark, that it transcends anniversaries.” 

Expect Fornatale’s talk to feature stories that are funny, surprising and touching. One story he shares involved Henry Gross, a member of Sha Na Na, who later had a hit with the song “Shannon.”

Gross had known Hendrix back before Hendrix was famous. The two hung out before the show and then when Gross got into a limo to take the show, Jerry Garcia was the other passenger.

“So between Jimi’s Southern Comfort and Jerry’s, what should we call it, Jerry’s psychedelics, Henry was flying pretty high by the time he got to Woodstock,” Fornatale said. “But in the middle of the interview, he stops and he points at me and said, ‘Pete, they say that five tons of marijuana was consumed at Woodstock and not one reported case of Glaucoma.’”

In addition to his own interviews, Fornatale used other sources to get stories from people who had died or who weren’t interested in talking about Woodstock anymore. His son came up with the idea of working with the Museum at Bethel Woods to gain access to interviews they had done with Woodstock participants Fornatale never got to talk with.

“So I really think we covered all of the angles,” Fornatale said, “and I have a very good feeling that going forward, anyone that cares to know about these magical three days in August of 1969 will somehow stumble upon this book.”

Pete Fornatale will host a discussion about Woodstock at the Morris Museum, located at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, on Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Admission to the Museum is $10, $7 seniors/children. There is no additional charge to hear the program. For information, go towww.morrismuseum.org or call 973-971-3700.

Celebrating the Playwrights Theatre:  will host a benefit titled “25 Years of Creativity and Community” on Sept. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. The benefit will be held at Hartley-Dodge Memorial, 30 Kings Road in Madison. Honorees include Lawrence S. Feinsod, executive county superintendent for Essex County, Jeanni Tsukamoto, a member of the Madison Borough Council and Arthur Wilson, poet/playwright/teaching artist. New plays written by Jon M. Bramnick, NJ State Assemblyman, and Mary-Anna Holde, Mayor of Madison will be presented. There will be live music, a silent auction, a collaborative play written by attendees and a menu of Hors d’oeuvres, wine, refreshments, dessert and coffee. Dress is business casual. Tickets cost $75. Call 973-514-1787, ext. 10. You can also book online at PTNJ25.eventbrite.com.

Get Schooled in the Performing Arts: ’s Brightest Star School of Performing Arts is offering fall classes in singing, public speaking, dancing, cabaret and production. Private lessons available for voice, piano and guitar. All ages. For information, call 973-971-3726 or clickhere. 

Director Needed for “Winnie the Pooh:” Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake is seeking a director for its upcoming production of “Winnie the Pooh,” auditioning Sept. 7 and 10, and playing Oct. 22 through Nov. 12. As the show is part of the theater’s “Generation Next” program, in which all participants are teens, a director-coach-teacher experienced working with young adults is being sought. For additional information, call 973-691-2100, email Jean@castletheatre.com or go toPaxAmicus.com.

Registration for Fall Semester at Playwrights Theatre: Registration is open for the 26th annual Madison Young Playwrights Program, with classes starting in September and October and continuing through December at the . The program is offered to students in Grades 4 through 8. Information about classes and enrollment can be found here.

Prepare Ye the Way to “Godspell:” Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake is performing “Godspell” for a run continuing through Aug. 20. The show adapts the Gospel According to St. Matthew into a rock musical where Jesus and his disciples sing and act in various theatrical styles. Songs by Stephen Schwartz include the hit “Day By Day” and “All for the Best.” Remaining performances are Aug. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. Pax Amicus Castle Theatre is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. Tickets cost $25. Call 973-691-2100 to purchase tickets. For more information, go to PaxAmicus.com.

Death and Laughter: ’s “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” continues through Aug. 28 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison. The 1970 play was written by Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo and is described by the theater as a  “hysterically sly and caustic slapstick farce inspired by a real-life event involving a man accused of a crime who ‘fell’ from the window of a police station.” For tickets and information, call 973-408-5600 or go to ShakespeareNJ.org.   

Talking About Woodstock: The  will host a talk about Woodstock by Pete Fornatale, the legendary disc jockey and author of the 2009 book, “Back to the Garden: The Story of Woodstock.” Fornatale will share stories of the music festival he’s culled from years of interviews and will also play rare audio clips and video footage. After his talk, which will begin at 6:30 p.m., Fornatale will sign copies of his book. The “Jersey Rocks” exhibit, on view through Sept. 5, examines the history of rock ’n’ roll in New Jersey through the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s and beyond. The lecture will start at 6:30 p.m. The museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-971-3706 or go to MorrisMuseum.org.

Children Should Be Seen and Heard: Brundage Park Playhouse in Randolph will present its Kids Cabaret 2011: “Love Is All You Need,” Aug. 17 through Aug. 21. The young performers, ranging in age from 10 to 18, will share their singing, dancing and acting talents in a family-friendly production. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Tickets cost $15, or $12 for seniors and for children under 12. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at 973-989-7092.

Working For Those Laughs: Blue Collar Comedy staple Bill Engvall is coming to the on Aug. 17 for an 8 p.m. performance. The star of his own TBS sitcom and current host of the game show “Lingo,” Engvall presents comedy based on the absurdities of everyday life. Tickets cost $57 to $97. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

From The Smithereens to the Morris Museum: Drummer Dennis Diken of The Smithereens will share a concert and discussion at the Morris Museum on Aug. 20. Diken and his band, Bell Sound, will perform music from the acclaimed album “Late Music.” Tickets cost $25. The museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-971-3706 or go to MorrisMuseum.org.

Getting Artsy: Villagers Theatre in Somerset will host “Elements,” an art show and charity event in collaboration with Addison Vincent. The exhibit will be held at the theater’s Zaidi Black Box Theatre, Aug. 20, 7:30 to 11 p.m. (including an artists meet and greet reception) and Aug. 21, 12 to 4 p.m. Admission is pay what you can, with donations going to the Villagers Theatre. The theater is located at 475 DeMott Lane in Somerset. For information, call 732-873-2710 or go to VillagersTheatre.com.

She’s a Little Bit Country: Marie Osmond will take stage at  for a concert featuring country and pop music on Aug. 24. Osmond has been performing since she was 3-years-old as a member of the legendary Osmond family. In the 1970s, she starred in a variety show with brother Donny and recently competed on “Dancing with the Stars.” Tickets cost $57 to $97. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Don’t Jaywalk When You Go See Leno: “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno is coming to on Aug. 26 for an 8 p.m. show. The opening act is The Essentials. Tickets cost $100-$150. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Laugh Along With Goatboy: Jim Breuer will bring an evening of laughter to on Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. Breuer will talk about family and friends in a non-vulgar show for everyone ages 18 to 80. Vinnie Brand is the opening act. Tickets cost $32 to $67. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, “The Cocktail Hour:” The Chester Theatre Group is holding auditions for A.R. Gurney’s “The Cocktail Hour” on Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. and Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. Auditions will be held at the Black River Playhouse at the corner of Grove Street and Maple Avenue in Chester. Needed are two male actors and two female actors. Readings will be from the script. Performances are Nov. 4 through Nov. 20. For information, including a character breakdown, go to ChesterTheatreGroup.org.

It’s Not a Big Band, It’s a Large Band: Lyle Lovett and His Large Band will take stage at on Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. Lovett has released 14 albums and has sold 4 million records. His songs combine elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues. Tickets cost $57 to $97. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, “On Golden Pond:” Somerset Valley Players is holding auditions for “On Golden Pond” at the Players’ Playhouse, located at 689 Amwell Road in Hillsborough on Sept. 6 and at Neshanic Reformed Church, 715 Amwell Road, on Sept. 7. Auditions start at 7:30 p.m. on both dates. Performances are Oct. 18 through Nov. 13, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m. A synopsis and character breakdown can be found here. For further information, call 908-369-7469.

Audition Alert, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels:” The Strollers theater group will host auditions for “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road, Maplewood, Sept. 6 and 8, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Callbacks will be held Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. For information, go to TheStrollers.org.

Musical Legends at the Mayo Center: Tickets for Jackson Browne’s Oct. 17 concert at the  are on sale now. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee will perform an acoustic solo set, with tickets priced from $65 to $100. Tickets for Loretta Lynn’s March 30 are also on sale with tickets priced from $47 to $97. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information about the entire season, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Submissions for Villagers’ VIP Series: The Villagers Theatre in Somerset is seeking submissions for its 2011-12 Villagers Independent Producers (VIP) Series. Writers, directors and performers are encouraged to take creative control of their productions to a far greater extent than a more traditional setting might allow. The theater’s goal is to select a season of three shows to be performed in October 2011, January 2012 and May 2012. Please submit the titles and authors of the productions you would like to mount. Also include any and all staff you have on board or would like to ask to be on board. Include a brief description of the production, including number of cast members, and a brief concept or vision of production. It is always helpful if you submit a copy of the script (and cast recording for musicals) in electronic format with your submission, however, it is not required with your initial submission. All submissions for consideration must be received in the Villagers Main Office at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873 no later than Aug. 10 or e-mailed toVIP@villagerstheatre.com.

Chatham Community Players Announce 2011-12 Season: Tracey Letts’ “Bug” will kick off new season with a run starting Oct. 14 and continuing through Oct. 29. The play from the writer of “August: Osage County” follows a middle-aged waitress with a terrible past and a Gulf War veteran who enters her life. Next up is Frank Galati’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” March 2 through 17. The season will conclude with a run of the classic musical “Cabaret” May 4 through 19. For more information, go to ChathamPlayers.org.

Got news for On Stage? E-mail Louis@Patch.com.